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Belmont Park By Chuck Connors- Racing Luck Depicted in Many Ways Dame Fortune Very Fickle Goddess Plays Part in Careers of Good Horses BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 3.— Racing luck is a term that is used in many instances by owners, trainers and others connected with the greatest show on earth. The" word luck is taken from the old Anglo-Saxon, and its roots and origin are more or less unknown or vague. However, it is a term that is described as fortune or chance in many dictionaries, but racing men have adapted the word to designate the fortunes of the other .fellow as against their own misfortunes in happenings or a given race. Sometimes the term is used in a derogatory sense, for you often hear someone say— "Oh, he is lucky," and in many instances it can be traced to personal jealousy or in an effort to cover up their own shortcomings. Luck or not, or whatever term you choose to designate the smiles of Dame Fortune, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont are outstanding examples of what that fickle goddess can do when she is in the mood. _ Racing luck played an important part in the careers of two good horses, Man o War and Native Dancer. Man o War was defeated in the Sanford at Saratoga Springs due to a combination of untoward incidents. Native Dancer was tumbled from his unbeaten roost in the Kentucky Derby by unfortunate interference. Had Dame Fortune smiled on these two those memorable afternoons, 34 years apart, racing history would have been changed. Man o War arid Native Dancer would have joined Colin on the unbeaten list. The latter, on the other hand, was, during his day, also called lucky. The running of the Belmont Stakes in 1908, in which he nosed out Fair Play, with King James third, was contested over a sloppy track and during the height of a rainstorm. The boys who were around then said that Notter eased up, mistaking the finish line. Yes, they had two finish lines at Belmont Park then, they raced the reverse way; English style, and the Belmont finish was slightly beyond the regular finish line, which was due to the starting point and to get in the I regular distance. Notter said he didnt ease up, his I mount hung slightly and then responded when roused J with the whip. It was a real tight finish and everyone j said that Notter was lucky, to get going again for the Belmont finish line. Return Royal Coinage to Training Trainer Al Pupino of the Clearwater Stable returned from a week-end trip to Mobile, Ala. He made the trek to inspect the three-year-old Royal Coinage, who went amiss with an ankle and coronet trouble. Pupino reported that X-rays taken while there revealed that the injury has cleared up and that the colt will be placed under saddle and galloped daily. His present plans "andre to ship from the farm, sometime in August, to Saratoga Springs, and there inaugurate training for a possible campaign in the fall over the New York tracks and winter racing. . . . Louis Lazare returned from a trip to Kentucky, where he visited his son Norman and his grandchildren. . . . Mrs. A. H. Hancock, who was discharged from the Good .Samaritan Hospital, Palm Beach, Fla., is convalescing at a nursing home in Tennessee arid coming along nicely. She and~her husband were injured in an auto accident near the Florida resort on New Years Eve. Horace Stoneham of the New York Giants was a clubhous Tvisitor yesterday. . . . Trainer G. P. "Maje" Odom reported that Kopes Hope, owned by Mrs. An- j son A. Bigelow, was unsexed on Saturday. . . . An important meeting of the planners of the new dream track to replace Belmont Park will be held Wednesday afternoon. . . . Helioscope, owned by William G Helis, Jr., and winner of the Valley Forge Handicap, opening day feature at Garden State, will be shipped here for his Metropolitan engagement on Saturday, May 14, according to present plans. . . . Trainer Lucien Laurin was- a Garden State visitor Tuesday. He saddled Place Kick for an engagement at that track during the afternoon. He will be on hand to saddle Sorceress in her Acorn engagement on Wednesday. . . . Joe Donphue planed back from a quick trip to Kentucky and reported the weather good and Derby fever increasing in tempo. . . . Jockey Ovie Scurlock returned from Kentucky and joined the local colony for the remainder of the season. . . . Trainer Bobby Dotter reported that Ted Atkinson will ride Artismo, owned by James Cox Brady, in the Roseben Handicap Racegoers Saddened by Bob Gilmores Passing The New York contingent was saddened by the news of the death of Bob Gilmore in Miami on Monday. The veteran was best remembered for his training of In Memoriam in the race against Zev. . . . Fifty years ago tomorrow. May 4, Belmont Park was opened. One of the highlights tomorrow is a fashion parade, which does not include the styles of yesteryear, but advance reports state that the models are leggy and pretty. . . . Jockey H. Woodhouse will be up on Fly Wheel, owned by C. V. Whitney, in the Rosben. . . . The balloting for the leading fillies and mares, conducted by Delaware Park, has branched out from the racing clans to the business world. Two leaders of industry, Tom Deegan, Jr., president of the Association of American Railroads, chose Regret as his top mare, while William C. McMillen, president of the Chesapeake Industries selected Esposa. Burt Mulholland, trainer of the G. D. Widener stable, pointed out that the list failed to include what, in his opinion, was the top mare o all tlmand Mti"ete B?1B. 8 * Ml i - » . •
