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I " 4 Surveying American Scene International Proves U. S. Horses Are Very Fast and Clever Jumpers By Godolphin Darley 1 Paris Correspondent, Daily Racing Form . NEW YORK, N. Y., May 14. The International Steeplechase last Saturday at Belmont Park was not favored by the weather and rain prevented many racegoers from making the trip to see the seven foreign horses compete against the American . jumpers over brush, and also witness the traditional and most interesting W i t h e r s. The International was a disaster for the invaders. The closest of them at the finish was Miss Dorothy Pagets Prince of Denmark, and he was only fifth. Farther came Louis Seize, seventh, and Prince of Devon, ninth. Two fell and two others were more or less pulled up in a field of 13. The most enthusiastic of the promoters were downcast at the results. There had been no exhilarating fight between the horses trained here and the invited jumpers. The eight-year-old Extra Points, according to all evidence, greatly improved this season, won as his rider pleased, defeating the seven-year-old The Mast, the nine-year-old His Boots and the seven-year-old Sundowner. AAA This writer does not share the pessimism of our New York friends. The purpose of the International Steeplechase was to find out which was the better, the foreign jumper or the U. S. horse. We were present at Belmont, interested to see how the English and Irish chasers would figure against the American brush horses over the latters own course. In the absence of French jumpers what we did see, and conclusively, was that the International Steeplechase entirely fulfilled that aim. The American brush horse is a fast and clever jumper and in the future may be defeated only by the very best jumpers in training at any of the European centers. A A A A slightly longer distance would perhaps allow the foreign horse a better chance and a weight allowance could make up for the inexperience over the course. It is not usual to make weight conditions in international contests. Probably, the English and Irish horses did have a few excuses. They were flown over rather close to the day of the race and had hardly enough time to re-., cuperate arid school thoroughly. We remember last fall at Laurel Park when the postponing of the Washington, D. C. International, owing to a freak snowstorm, was of the greatest benefit to the French colt Worden IX, winner of that event. The extra four days made all the difference between a fretting horse, upset from his trip, and one ready for a tough fight. AAA The transportation, even by air, across the Atlantic it requires36 hours or more from stable to stable has to be taken into account. Several days are a minimum for a horse to settle down and feed normally. Then it is essential that the invader be worked conveniently and sufficiently before the race he has come over for. All this is experience, which is piling up during the pionee. age of croEE-Atlantic challenges and which will gradually lead to common- place flying of the best horses from one side to another. AAA The International Steeplechase, now a feature in the calendar overseas, a stake well worth trying for by any sporting European owner of a good jumper, will make English and Irish trainers and jockeys more aware of the task set them and their horses. Besides one or two jumpers coming from France for the event we also foresee several of the recently imported French jumpers classified among the best here and taking part in the International Chase under American colors. AAA A French imported colt, the four-year-old Corinthian was started over hurdles last Wednesday at Belmont Park. Owing to the heavy going, he had not been allowed to school over the hurdle course. Always a very cautious horse, Corinthian took his jumps far too big and came in third. Following two wins at hunt meets, this performance is a rather promising start at a major track. The French jockey, Albert Foot, was most enthusiastic. Corinthians style of jumping reminded him of Titiens first attempt at the American hurdles. Corinthian, everyone will agree, is a fine individual. We helped his present owner, Mrs. George L. Ohrstrom of Middleburg, Va., pick him up in France. The colt is a half-brother to Sir Winston Churchills gray French-bred cup winner, Colonist II., arid to anotlfer gray, Cabalistic, a winner of six hurdle races in England. Corinthian showed quality on the flat last spring at Longchamp and had some schooling over hurdles at Chantilly, like the majority of horses in training in France. AAA Corinthians final preparation was given him in Virginia after flying here about the middle of January. He started on April 10 and won his following two starts at hunt meets. Mrs. Ohrstroms colt came to the paddock at Belmont Park in perfect con-edition, though a little lighter than when raced in France. Corinthian had not been worked for two weeks prior to his shipping, as frost and snow covered the training grounds at Chantilly. Since he arrived, the colt, after prompt recovery, went to pieces. Then he came on again only to go off once more for about two weeks. In the third month of his arrival in this country, and this a consequence of his trainer, Emmett Roberts patience, Corinthian began to pick up well enough to be tuned to racing condition. Each case, when it comes to importing horses, is probably an individual one, and the future will determine whether Corinthian is following the right methods. By explaining the facts concerning this colt, whom we happen to know well, we are endeavoring to help solve .a problem which interests all sportsmen who have in Continued on Page Fifty-Three EXTRA POINTS, the International Steeplechase winner, with his trainer, Mrs. Clara Adams at left. Surveying U. S. Scene By GODOLPHIN DARLEY Continued from Page Six charge or might one day bring over a foreign horse. AAA Corinthian is now a hurdler and therefore is trained over grass. When a French-trained horse, he was accustomed to take all his daily routine exercise on the sand tracks at Chantilly. In both Paris centers, Maisons-Laffitte as well as Chantilly, all the daily work is done over sand. Only the final preparation brings the horses to grass. The only strangeness the French horse experiences in the States is not the dirt track but the shoeing; a flat steel plate for every work day and lighter1 aluminum plates a day or so before a race. This is the last day of our rather lengthy stay here in the States and it is with regret that we return, home. We wish to offer our deepest thanks to all who have made our trip, here so enjoyable, t , , ,
