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, REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan , AQUEDUCT, L. I., N. Y., June 25. The coming week should be a most interesting one at Aqueduct. On Monday, they will stage the first running of the Distaff Handicap, a race of seven furlongs for fillies and mares, who will be preparing for the more important events to come. Wednesdays feature will be the Great Ameri can and this is the first time this season that two-year-olds will be asked to contest at six furlongs. In past years, this race has often pointed out the youngsters who appear to like a distance of ground and is the first of the many races that will lead up to the Futurity at Belmont Park and also The Garden State and other rich events that are run in the fall. The Great American has been won by many horses who went on to be top three- and four-year-olds. A year ago, C. V. Witneys game, little Fisherman was the winner over Permian and, though neither have been champions this year, they have both given a good account of themselves. There are many colts who will bear watching next Wednesday and especially Nashua from the Belair Stud. This colt gives definite promise of going on to be a classic performer, but the Great American will give a much better line on him. The Maine Chance Farm has no less than eight colts named and, although we understand they are a very impressive group with many good runners, there is a question which will be started next week. AAA The Vanderbilt forces have been eyeing stakes in Europe all season. It was necessary, due to the bruised hoof of Native Dancer, that they pass lip the King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, but, in England, trainer Bill Winfrey expressed the hope that the great champion will be sent over to run in the Prix de lArc de Interesting Week Ahead at Aqueduct Distaff Handicap Inaugural Monday July Big Month for Fillies and Mares Respite for Sophomores After Dwyer Triomphe at Lonogchamp in October -and the Limekiln Stakes at Newmarket. A final decision on the proposed trip will not be forthcoming until The Dancer has had a race at Saratoga in August. A victory in the important French event would be a feather in the cap of the Vanderbilt champion, just as it was for Flares, Reigh Count and other American horses who invaded Europe. This trip would mean that The Dancer would have to forego The Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Pimlico Special, which are run in the fall of the year in this country. If he makes the journey, all racing eyes will be on France and England on the days that he starts. An American-bred horse won the Epsom Derby this year, and a victory for Native Dancer would, undoubtedly, stamp 1954 "Americas Year," as in 1881, when Iroquois won the Epsom Derby, and in 1882, when Foxhall was the winner of the Ascot Gold Cup. AAA We often hear complaints that there are not enough races for fillies and mares on our schedules. The next two weeks should nullify that charge. This week end, the 2,500 Delaware Oaks, the 5,000 Molly Pitcher Handicap at Monmouth Park, the ,000 Imp Handicap at ThistleDown, will be run, and on Monday, Aqueduct will stage the first running of the 5,000 Distaff Handicap. On July 1, the 0,000 Cinderella Stakes will be the feature at Hollywood Park in California, and on July 3, the 0,000 Colleen Stakes will be contested at Monmouth Park, and the 5,000 Cleopatra Handicap will head the Arlington Park card. On July 5, the 00,000 New Castle Handicap will be renewed at Delaware Park, the richest race in the world for fillies and mares.; The same day, the Pollyanna Stakes, with 5,000 added, will be co-featured with the Stars and Stripes at Arlington Park. July is a great racing month for fillies and mares and racing organizations should be credited for answering the call of breeders for events of this kind. The prices paid at Keeneland and Saratoga in the past few years is convincing proof that fillies are very desirable for racing purposes, and well-bred ones have further usefulness in stud after retirement from the track. AAA After next Saturdays 0,000 Dwyer Stakes, one mile and a quarter, the sophomores will have little let-up from the constant grind that has been theirs since the Flamingo at Hialeah. The Ohio Derby and Lamplighter Handicap at Monmouth are to be run July 10, and then on July 17 the 00,000 Arlington Classic will be contested in Chicago. The division is in a more complex state than we can recall in many a year and that condition may still exist when the Travers is run at Saratoga in August, and even the Lawrence Realization at Belmont in the fall. To date, Porterhouse, who was voted the two-year-old champion last year, has been the biggest disappointment in the entire division. Whether he will do any better in the Dwyer than he did in his last three races is a question. Determine is about to start in the Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park and a victory would give the game little California colt an edge on his opponents for the present. Hasty Road, winner of the Preakness, is in Chicago, and it is unlikely that he, will come east for . Continued on Page Twenty-One REFLECTIONS By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Sixty the Dwyer. Robert J. Kleberg, Jr., in Kentucky last week, told us he was not sure when High Gun, winner of the Belmont Stakes, will start again. So, as of today, it is difficult to visualize the field that will go to the post next week end in the race named after the Dwyer Brothers.
