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■ - — " - 7 .- . - ji Belmont Park By Chuck Connors— Veterans Discuss Dearth of Good Riders Higher Weight Scale Possible Solution Present Day Jockeys Haye Tough Going BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 2.— George D. Widener, president of Belmont Park, was host to a goodly number of veterans who were, among those those active active at at the the opening opening of of the the ■ - those those active active at at the the opening opening of of the the vast racing plant 50 years ago. The gray thatched veterans, older, wiser and carrying a little more weight around the middle than in those days, cut up many a jackpot as they chatted during the serving of aperitifs and luncheon. However, -there was a serious note injected into the conversation as Jim Fitzsimmons, Preston Burch, George Odom and Bob Bovle. Boyle, to to mention mention a a few. few, mulled mulled Bovle. Boyle, to to mention mention a a few. few, mulled mulled — " over the question of jockey, weights and the dearth of new blood in the riding ranks. These men offered no overnight cure, discussed, the methods that had been tried in the past and then were more or less convinced that one possible solution is the raising of weights. The American weight scale is lighter than that which prevails in England or continental Europe and during the early days of the century was directly responsible for the migration to those lands of many of the top riders of this country. Slaves of Diet and the Sweat Box The present day jockeys, the top ones at least with a few exceptions, are slaves to the "sweat box" and adherents of a rigorous diet. These two* methods of weight reduction are strenuous and saps them of strength and in the long run could be harmful to their physical well being. Years ago, the cry for heavier weights fell on deaf ears and then statistics were brought forth that the boys who were forced to "hit the road" were ready victims o tuberculosis. Many of the topnotchers of that day contracted the dread disease and passed away practically unnoticed in sanitariums across the country. The statistics, as presented, however, were vigorously fought by the advocates of lower weight and their arguments were to the effect that the majority who contracted the disease would have shown the effects in any other line of work. However, in the past 50 years insurance, companies have brought forth some interesting statistics relative to the growth and development of humans. The present day generation of teen agers shows an increase of an inch or two in height, some eight or 10 pounds heavier and bigger bone structure. These increases could be ascribed to a drastic change in eating, open air life, but mostly to the men and women who served in the armed forces. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps are believers in the theory that a well fed soldier is the" best. The men who served in the first world war carried out the creed, hence some of the growth in the present day teen agers, from whom the ranks of jockeys are recruited. R. J. Kleberg, Jr., master of King Ranch in Texas, was advised this morning by cable that the two-year-olds Woody Cover and In Dispatches had arrived safely in England and were turned over to Captain Cecil Boyd-Rochfort to train for engagements in that land. Kleberg was a visitor this morning and later planed out for his Texas home on business matters. . . . Mrs. Lou Smith, wife of the Rockingham Park impresario, is convalescing at her Salem, N. H., home following a long illness. She hopes to resume her charitable work in connection with the Crippled Childrens Non-Sectarian Fund in another week or so. . . . Ted Husing, the radio broadcaster, was on hand to help celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Belmont Park. Await Future Plans for Loew String Trainer Dolly Byers said yesterday that an announcement relative to the future plans of the horses owned by the late William G. Loew will be made in a day or two: . . . Harry F. Guggenheim of Cain Hoy Stable stated that he will decide after the running of the Peter Pan over the week end as to his starting plans in the Belmont. He has Racing Fool and Flying Fury eligible for the e,v.ent with the latter a prospective Peter Pan starter. . . Phil Iselin and Eddie Brennan of the Monmouth Park forces were among those present for the afternoon. . . . Trainer Jackiong of the Darby Dan Stable plans to ship in a braceof two-year-olds for engagements here. . . . Trainer Rabbit Dab-son stated that Nances Lad, winner of the Swift, would not be a starter in the Peter Pan. The colt came out of the Preakness suffering from an ankle rap inflicted during the running. Jim Norris of the Spring Hill Farm is in Miami erecting fences on the place that he acquired west of that city. The breeding interests of the menage will be transferred from Paris, Ky., to the Florida scene in a year or so. . . . Barry Whitehead, the West Coast official, dropped in for a few races and then planed out for Victoria, B. C, where he will join Mrs. Whitehead and then leave for California. . . . Another change in the training department of the Maine Chance Farm was registered this morning. Rennie Parish, who took over the horses several weeks ago, resigned and he was replaced by Francis Horan, who came to the fore in the past week with the plater Tippitywitch. . . . Joe Donohue, the American racing ambassador to Europe, who flies- the Atlantic with the nonchalance of a subway rider, reported that his Irish-bred mare, Face, had foaled a filly by High Bandit. 1 l i. . * * . 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