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I" " " .i.a «■— ■ Reflections By Nelson Dunstan — — — — — — Foreign Events Attract American Horses International Chase Draws Foreign-Breds Many Rich Stakes Still on May Schedule NEW YORK, N. Y., May 7.— Fisherman and High Gun nave been nominated for the King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 16. This race, I" " " .i.a at at one one and and one-half one-half miles, miles, is is the the at at one one and and one-half one-half miles, miles, is is the the richest event now run annually in the British Isles. Also it was reported that some of the foreign jumpers who will compete in the International Steeplechase on May 21 at Belmont Park will arrive here on Monday. So racings map becomes smaller with each passing year and international events are becoming far more numerous than was even hoped hoped for for only only a a decade decade ago. ago. How How «■— ■ hoped hoped for for only only a a decade decade ago. ago. How How the American horses will shape up in the Ascot race remains to be seen. In a later column we plan some comments on the succ asses of French horses in the Epsom Derby, Epsom Oaks, One Thousand Guineas and other English events. Sica Boy, winner of the Prix de lArc-de-Triomphe and the French mare Banassa, who finished second to Fisherman in the Washington, D. C, International last fall, are regarded as certain starters at Ascot. We will have more to say about this race at another time. Preakness Only Other 00,000 This Month Although the Kentucky Derby is now written into the record books, the month of May will offer several races that will draw national attention. The only other event with 00,000 in added money is the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown, at Pimlico on May 28. The same day, the 0,000 Coaching Club American Oaks will be contested by fillies at Belmont Park and out at Hollywood Park, California, the Argonaut Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses will be the feature of the day. Prior to those events, however, the 0,000 Jersey Stakes for three-year-olds will be run next Saturday at Garden State Park, and on May 19, the 0,000 Massachusetts ■ Handicap is down for decision at Suffolk Downs in New England. The 5,000 Suburban Handicap at one and one-quarter miles will be run at Belmont May 30 and the same day, Balmoral will offer the 0,000 Citation Handicap. It is indeed a busy month, and the same can be said of others, right through November. Racing attendance has dropped slightly at some American tracks, but the prizes for top horses are at a level never before known in American racing. In recent days this writer has been privileged to see some of the Delaware Park ballots in the poll to select the best racemares in American turf history. While most of them have Miss Woodward on top, Marshall Cassidy ranks Beldame first on his list. Cassidy, who is executive secretary of The Jockey Club, is well qualified to vote. He has spent 49 of his 62 years in the sport. He began by rubbing horses and, in 1906, became a jockey. The year before Newton Benningtons Beldame numbered the classic Suburban Handicap at Sheeps-head Bay among her greatest conquests. "I rode for several years," recalls Cassidy, "and managed to win with almost 30 per cent of my mounts. I rode some jumpers, too." The veterans vast racing experience also has included services as racing secretary-handi-capper, starter, patrol judge, placing judge, track superintendent, steward, director of racing, unofficial trainer and manager of various other activities. Cassidy is one of many noted turf figures who have participated in Delaware Parks nationwide poll to rank the top 10 racemares, going back as far as Civil War days. The ballots distributed by Delaware Park listed 42 outstanding racers, with write-ins permitted. Cassidy Rates Busher Second Beldame, who won 17 of her 31 races and finished out of the money only four times, is followed in Cassidys selections by a recent star, Busher, victorious in 15 of her 21 efforts in the mid-40s. The Jockey Club executive goes to another recent racer for his third pick, the famed Gallorette who licked Stymie and other male topnotchers. Then he goes back to a pair of old-timers, listing Firenze fourth and Miss Woodford fifth. These mares excelled in the 80 *s, both earning more than 00,000 in those less lucrative times. Twilight Tear, one of Calumet Farms best, was Cassidys sixth choice, and then comes Walter M. Jeffords renowned Edith Cavell, daughter of Man o War. Picked eighth is Rsgret, only filly to capture the Kentucky Derby. Esposa, who nosed out the mighty Seabiscuit in the 1937 Bowie Handicap, is ninth on the ballot, which is completed by Imp, the unforgettable "Coal Black Lady" foaled in 1894. Incidentally, four of Cassidys first five selections have stakes named for them at various tracks in the country— Beldame, Gallorette, Firenze and Miss Woodford. Two of his other picks. Regret and Imp, also are honored.
