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mm Bk.Jt» 1 N. W E I G H I N G I N BY EVAN SHIPMAN I BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 26. — Extra Points presence in Thursdays Corinthian Steeplechase Handicap field makes this the "race of the week" as far as we are concerned. Colonel Nelles brilliant fencer has scored easily in his mm Bk.Jt» 1 Previous four Belmont Park starts this season, and now that, for the first time, he is at the mercy of the handicapper, we will be given an opportunity of testing our expressed opinion of his class. Transformed this season by Mrs. C. E. Adams careful training, Extra Points has done everything asked of him so far with paramount ease; he takes his obstacles witih superb grace and authority, while his . speed on the flat is far .superior to that of any who have opposed him. In addition, this eight-year-old Grand Slam gelding appears handy to rate and place in a field of horses, the total impression adding up to the best steeplechaser we have seen since Sea Legs or Rouge Dragon. For this Corinthian renewal, Extra Points must concede The Mast, chosen as Steeplechaser of the Year last season, six pounds, as well as 10 to the capable Sun Shower and 18 to last falls Grand National winner, His Boots. The accomplishment of such a task will point this gelding out as a champion worthy to rank with the great names of the past in this branch of the sport, a rating that this enthusiast has already accorded him. AAA When Native Dancer showed traces of soreness following his recent sparkling nine-furlong work at Belmont Park, the trouble was neither with his ankles, always a potential danger .spot since the time of his debut, nor was it another bruised sole, the injury that had temporarily retired the gray champion from competition last fall. Corinthian Weights Stern Test for Extra Points fChaser May Rank With Great Names of Past Dancer Seen as Doubtful Starter in Suburban Cherokee Rose Is Suitably Bred to Capture Oaks Trainer Bill Winfrey gives as reason for his present anxiety "a suspicious warmth at the top of the near front hoof in the vicinity of the coronary band." That description suggests to us that Winfrey is worrying about incipient ringbone. Just because a faint suspicion did flash through the trainers mind is no reason for jumping to the completely unwarranted conclusion that the champion actually has a ringbone, but the symptoms as stated are-nevertheless cause for some concern. It appears that Native Dancer has walked sound since giving his entourage that first scare, but the interruption to his work schedule — rather than unsoundness — may prevent his going to the post in next Mondays Suburban Handicap. AAA Interest from far afield in our major stakes is certainly to be fostered and encouraged, but this columnist cannot be responsible for placing any wagers. After the running of Saturdays Preakness, we found a letter dispatched from far away Nova Scotia in director of publicity Jack OKeeffes office, this letter containing a check and a request to place that sum on Maine Chance Farms Jet Action in the big race. Jet Action had already finished eighth in the Preakness, and we feel a lot better about returning our correspondents 0 than if the chestnut colt had scored at long odds. The point, however, -is that even if we had received the letter in time, we could not have made that wager. This is not the first time that we have been forced to refuse such a request, but we would think that a moments reflection should suffice to make our attitude- understandable on this point. AAA If Sunshine Nell starts in Mondays Colonial Handicap at Garden State, Meyer Kaplans brilliant chestnut mare will be paying the penalty for her many fine efforts, this year and last. Handicapper "Ty" Shea has assigned her a crushing 126 pounds for this* six-furlong dash, more weight than any Colonial winner has even handled successfully since the stakes inaugural back in 1942. To be sure, Beaugay, as a three -year-old, did score in 46 with 123 in the saddle, and that, according to the scale, was an even more difficult achievement than is now asked for the big Sun Again mare. To be more specific concerning "Nellies" task, she will be conceding a pound to Atalanta; three to Brazen Brat, her recent conqueror in a Belmont Park sprint, and five to her old foe, La Corredora; not to speak of 12 pounds to such lightly weighted prospects as Speedy Wave and Petal. If most of these accept, as is likely, the Colonial should prove a highly entertaining feature, -and, as usual, our good wishes will be riding with Sunshine Nell. AAA Winner of the recent Black-Eyed Susan in gallant style and runner-up to the erratic Fascinator in the Kentucky Oaks, Hasty House Farms little Queen Hopeful looms a tepid choice for Saturdays Coaching Club American Oaks, our turfs chief feature for the age and sex. At first glance, it would seem as if this mile arid three-eighths test were altogether beyond the means of this sprinting-built daughter of Roman, and we confess that if she should prevail at such a route we will be much surprised, but the diminutive misss honesty and determination are so noteworthy that she is certain of many Continued on Page Thirty-Nine WEIGHING IN I By EVAN SHB7MAN Continued from Page Forty-Eight friends, no matter what she is asked to do. Conceding Queen Hopefuls admirable qualities, we, nevertheless, suspect that Cain Hoys full sister to the staying How, Cherokee Rose, has more convincing qualifications where our Oaks is concerned. This daughter of Princequillo is not only bred for the distance, but is coming off a winning effort here that cannot be lightly dismissed. When How won this same fixture in 51, she was so impressive that many of us believed her deserving of a chance against the colts in the subsequent Belmont Stakes, an attempt that would have been made had she not suffered a slight indisposition the morning of the Belmont.
