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I I REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 1. The Suburban, won by Straight Face, climaxed the biggest week end of the season, but racing goes on to many more important events. On Wednesday, considerable attention will center on the Epsom Derby in England. Because hp Tinrt tint, rtnnp wpII in Viis last t.wn races, William Woodward, Jr.s, Ambler n. has been with- . drawn. Late Monday, John B. Campbell, veteran New "York handicapper, released his weights for the Peter Pan Handicap to be run on Saturday, and regardless of his defeat in the Jersey Stakes, Correlation is placed at the top under equal weight of 126 pounds with Porterhouse. Correlation has run some brilliant races, but on occasions, as in the Kentucky Derby and the Jersey Stakes, the California-bred colt was well beaten. The Peter Pan, in which he will be opposed by some of the best colts in the East, will be a thorough test for the Belmont. The same could be said for Porterhouse and we might include C. V. Whitneys Fisherman, who has been weighted at 121 and who still has many admirers. War of Roses, winner of the Jersey Stakes, is in with 118 pounds and he is followed by Jet Action at 117. This has been a peculiar season for three-year-olds, but the Peter Pan should clear the deck for the.Belmont on June 12, closing day of the meeting at the Long Island track. AAA One of the most remarkable stables in American racing is that of Mrs. George D. Widener, wife of the chairman of The Jockey Club and the president of Belmont Park. Mrs. Widener has only two horses racing and one is the crack filly, Evening Out, who was the best two-year- Racing Goes On to Important Events Epsom, anderby of Interest to Americans Peter Pan a Preview of Belmont Stakes t Arcaro Watched Suburban on Television old of her sex last season. This filly has never been beaten by a member of her own sex. In fact, her only defeat was in the Futurity last fall in which she finished fifth. Mrs. Wideners only other horse is Islander, a bay colt by Polynesian, out of Dine n Dance, by Jamestown. This colt was good enough to win the National Stallion Stakes from Summer Tan, the odds-on favorite, and other good youngsters here at Belmont Park. We know some owners who have 20 or 25 horses in training who have trouble winning a race. That one owner should have only two, and both stakes winners, is a point to ponder, although it emphasizes that intelligent breeding plays its part in the production of thoroughbreds. There is more to breeding than the mating of a Derby and Oaks winner. AAA An interesting sidelight of the Suburban was that Eddie Arcaro, the most famous jockey of the day, watched the Suburban on television in the jockeys room. He has scored three times in this race, his mounts being Devil Diver, Assault and Vulcans Forge, the latter in 1949. Arcaro knows his way around Belmont Park, for he has piloted four Belmont Stakes winners since he started riding some 20 years ago. In fact, of the 26 traditional stakes staged at the picturesque Belmont course there is only one in which he has not ridden a -winner, and that is the Vosburgh, which was inaugurated in 1940. While there has been some talk of Arcaro retiring from the saddle, the Italian lad just grins and says nothing when he is asked whether he is seriously thinking of hanging up his tack. There is no reason we can see why he should retire from the profession in which he is so proficient. Gordon Richards, the top English jockey, is now 50 years old and Arcaro has some time to go before he gets into that age bracket. Johnny Longden is another who has plenty in age on Arcaro, but he is another who talks about retirement only in a very vague way. AAA Belmont fans were disappointed on Monday that Summa Cum was not a starter in the second race. This son of Alibhai, out of Miss Dogwood, by Bull Dog, cost 8,000 as a yearling and his first start was awaited with considerable interest. He did not start as a two-year-old and there has been a suspicion that something was wrong as he has not made his first appearance, and here it is June. The only yearling that cost over 0,000 who returned his purchase price was Royal Blood, who belonged to Maine Chance Farm. He earned over 00,000, as we recall it. Summa Cum was a fine looking yearling when in the salesring and James McCue of Brae Burn Farm went to a high price to obtain him. His connections have been very patient with this colt, not rushing him to the races. At Hialeah, McCue told this writer that the colt was coming around and it may yet prove that he is another Royal Blood, although only time can answer that question. Regardless of the price paid, there is no telling what a yearling will accomplish when he gets to the races. An example we know is the 00 Alsab, and we could add many other cases to prove our point.
