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undoubtedly undoubtedly is is the the REFLECTIONS *y nelson dunstan BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 21. — Racing is approaching one of its biggest week ends of the year, and, with Memorial Day being observed on Monday, new seasons records for attendance and mu-tuel play for two consecutive days could be established. The most important event of the holiday period , Suburban Suburban Handicap Handicap here here at at Belmont Belmont : undoubtedly undoubtedly is is the the Suburban Suburban Handicap Handicap here here at at Belmont Belmont Park. The make-up of the field is not entirely known, but an unfortunate certainty is that Native Dancer will not be in it. As these lines are written, we learn that the gray champion has broken down and so is definitely out of the second leg of New Yorks own Triple Crown of the Metropolitan, Suburban and Brooklyn Handicaps, and subsequent events. It is a great loss. John B. Campbell, veteran handicapper for the New York tracks, paid Alfred G. Vanderbilts champion a fine compliment when he asked the gray colt to carry 133 pounds in the Suburban on Monday, picking up three pounds over the impost he earned to victory in the Metropolitan. AAA It affords a comparison of Campbells estimate of "Na-, tive Dancer and Tom Fool. Last year, Tom Fool won the Metropolitan under 130 pounds, but for the Suburban, which he also won, he was given two pounds less. Royal Vale finished second in both events, under 127 pounds in the Metropolitan and 124 pounds in the Suburban. For the impending Suburban, Royal Vale, admittedly not . the horse this season .that he was in 1953, is handicapped at 125 pounds, or eight under Native Dancer. It is academic, of course, -but it is interesting to note that whereas Tom Fool carried two pounds less in the Suburban than he did in the Metropolitan, Native Dancer picks up three pounds. Until the Suburban last year, there was doubt , : Racings Two Big Days Directly Ahead Campbells Weights Compliment Dancer Garden State Boosting Fillies and Mares Belmont Continues Grass Racing in Fall about Tom Fools ability to go a mile and a quarter, which probably accounted for Campbells seeming leniency toward him in the latter stake. AAA There will be a big change in eastern racing next week. On Monday, Garden State Park closes its meeting, arid this Saturday, Delaware Park will open for 32 days. Garden State Park, one of the finest managed race tracks in this country, will stage the 0,000 Jersey Stakes at a mile and a furlong onthe week end and then will close with the 0,000 Colonial Handicap for fillies and mares on the holiday. Both tracks are doing their utmost to create interest in races for the distaff and Garden State emphasized that when it recently announced it would add a 00,000 race for two-year-old fillies to the 1955 schedule. The management of Garden State has shown that racing can continue to build if the public is given first consideration. The Jersey Stakes is one of many races for three-year-old sandwiched between the Preakness and the Belmont. While it will not draw Porterhouse and some of the other topnotchers, it offers an opportunity for some of the sophomores to keep in action in the interim between the two big spring races for members of their division. AAA The Delaware Park meeting will feature 14 stakes, topped by the New Castle Handicap, the worlds richest race for fillies and mares, in fact, the only of 00,000 value for the distaff. The New Castle will be run on the last day of the meeting, July 5, and no less than 79 have been nominated. Delaware has always been a haven for the steeplechases, and this year 10 stakes for flat racers and four for jumpers are scheduled. Often referred to, and correctly, -as a "sporting track," Delaware has made some improvements this year and they mainly affect the backstretch. One improvement is a new restaurant where all track employes will be able to obtain good meals at a reasonable price. While the improvements may not be obvious to the man in the grandstand, they are greatly appreciated by the groms and others for whom racing is a vocation. There also are dormitories for van drivers and restaurant personnel, and reserved parking space for van drivers, trainers and jockeys. • AAA George D. Widener, president of Belmont Park and chairman of The Jockey Club, entertained the press a£ luncheon on Wednesday and he answered questions directed at him by members of the fourth estate. Probably the most important point he discussed was racing on the grass, and now that the three experimental races have been concluded he stated that this type of event would be continued at the fall meeting. Those who favor such racing were glad to hear the Belmont president express himself on this point, for it stands to reason that if the public has liked such events in so many other states there would be something wrong if they were not approved in New York. This morning we had a letter from Bill Joeger, publicity director of Laurel, and he tells us that John D. Schapiro is now in England, after having covered the continent and that everything looks quite all right for the Washington, D. C. International this Continued on Page Thirty-Five REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty-Four fall. There is no doubt in this writers mind that Ben Lindheimer, of Arlington and Washington Parks in Chicago, along with Schapiro," president of Laurel, should be given much credit for popularizing grass racing in this country. It is a distinct innovation and adds a new phase to our sport.
