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-—n REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 24. — It was something of a Roman week end. While his son, Hasty Road was thrilling a throng at Pimlico, Commonwealth was proving much the best in the two-year-old event at Belmont. We viewed the Preakness on television and, as everyone one who who watched watched it it knows, knows, it it was was -—n one who who watched watched it it knows, knows, it it was was marked by a rare incident, a claim of foul in a "Triple Crown" event. At first we were under the impression that Willie Shoemaker, who rode Correlation, was protesting. While his mount was bearing in, the picture showed that Hasty Road was drifting out. Shoemaker walked to the jockeys room and was there informed that Arnold Kirkland, who piloted Hasseyampa, had lodged a claim against his mount. After looking at the pictures the stewards gave the "all clear" and flashed the official sign. It was their opinion that the foul had not affected the result of the race. Hasty Road dispelled all thoughts that he would not carry his speed over the Preakness distance, and it was Correlation who was tiring as the Hasty House colt staved him off in a thrilling finish. It was the second time within a week that these two horses staged a head-and head duel. The race demonstrated that Hasseyampa must now be ranked among the first flight three-year-olds. He was running steadily to finish six lengths in front of Goyamo. AAA Three-year-olds will continue to hold attention on the next three week ends. While the Coaching Club American Oaks is being run at Belmont on Saturday, the 0,000 Jersey Stakes will be the feature at Garden State Park. On June 5 the Peter Pan handicap will be run at Belmont as a tune-up for the Belmont Stakes on June 12. After the Preakness, Mrs. Allie Reuben stated that it had not Colts Add to Romans Reputation Claims of Foul Rare in Preakness Marylands Governor Racings Friend White Skies, Dancer Meet in Carter? been decided whether Hasty Road will start in the Belmont, although it would seem after his brilliant effort at Pimlico that he is entitled to start in the longer race. If he does not go, it will mean three different winners of the "Triple Crown" races. Porterhouse is scheduled to start in the Peter Pan and his trainer, Charles Whittingham, believes this will be a sufficient prep for the one and one-half miles race. It now appears as if the Coaching Club American Oaks will not rank with some renewals of the past, for Evening Out will not be a starter and Queen Hopeful, the Pimlico Oaks winner, may also pass up the race. Happy Mood, who finished in the exciting dead heat with Riverina in the Acorn, was not nominated for the Coaching Club. King Ranch has nominated On Your Own and Riverina and the latter shapes now as the one to beat. AAA Racing fans throughout the country were pleased by the way Gov. Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin spoke about horse racing after the running of the Preakness. He told how Marylanders loved thes port and how they all regard the Preakness as a great event for three-year-olds. The governor was not speaking from a political standpoint for it must be remembered that when they attempted to raise racing taxes in the Old Line State this year he openly declared he would veto the measure if it came to his desk. The Preakness is not the spectacle that the Kentucky Derby has always been, but it is a great gathering of Marylanders with, of course, many celebrities from Washington joining in. When this meeting is over the Pimlico track will undergo many physical changes. When they are completed the state will have three of the most up-to-date race courses in this country. Governor McKeldin is a friend of the sport and instead of trying to squeeze eyery last dollar out of it he consideres it a valuable contributor to the state treasury. AAA Commonwealth was not named for the National stallion Stakes on Wednesday, but this colt in the barn of James Cox Brady impressed the throng at Belmont on the week end when he won a four and one-half furlongs race by five lerigths. This writer recalled that last July, Preston Burch selected him as the best of his sex at the New Jersey yearling show at Monmouth Park. He was not selected as the best yearling in the show, for that honor went to a beautifully made filly by Mosmic Bomb, entered by Mrs. Anderson Fowler, a sister to James Cox Brady. Burch hesitated for some time before he selected this filly oyer the colt by Roman — Burgoo Maid, a daughter of Burgoo King. The veteran trainer finally chose the filly, although it was very obvious that he had a high regard for the colt now named Commonwealth. "He is one of the best colts I have seen at these New Jersey shows," Burch said, "and I think he will make his way when he goes to the races in 1954." Commonwealth scored as he pleased at Belmont and he is a youngster to watch as this season progresses. AAA It is too early to be talking about championships, but in the Roseben, White Skies demonstrated he is the best sprinter in the land today. This five-year-old son of Sun Again picked up 135 pounds to win from the dead-heating pair of Impasse and First Aid, with 10 others behind Continued on Page Forty-Nine REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Fifty-Two them. This is White Skies fourth victory in as many starts this year and it makes it five in a row, as he won his final race in 1953. He has carried 130 pounds or more in his last five starts and your guess is as good as ours as to what he will be asked to tote the next time he goes to the post. The older division is badly in need of top sprinters for at the moment we can see nothing on the horizon to give the Wick-ham racer stiff competition. Squared Away, who won the Roseben a year ago, set the early pace but he faded fast and finished last in a field of 13. There is an interesting posisbility, but only a possibility, that White Skies will meet Native Dancer in the 0,000 Carter Handicap on July 5. This race is at seven furlongs and is one of the four for which the Vanderbilt champion has been nominated at Aqueduct. It will be run five days before the Brooklyn, which undoubtedly will be Native Dancers objective after the Suburban next Monday.
