view raw text
12 — w Belmont Park I — By Chuck" Connors Belmont Training, Racing Schedule Upset Condition Is Caused by Several Factors Coughing, Bucked Shins Sideline Horses BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L.. I., N. Y., June 3.— Unseasonable weather for this time of year, the siege of coughing, bucked skins and numerous other ail-_ ments ments have have combined combined to to play play ments ments have have combined combined to to play play havoc with the training and racing schedule at this track. Jimmy . Kilrbe, racing secretary and handicapper, pointed out that the unusual combination, plus the shipments to the tracks to the south, have placed an excessive drain on the equine population at the three local tracks. The thoroughbred coolny "here numbers at peak time in the neighborhood of of 3,000 3,000 head. head. This This figure, figure, while while 12 — w of of 3,000 3,000 head. head. This This figure, figure, while while it appears ample to supply the starters for the eight-race programs, is inadequate — for, of the total number, there are always a certain percentage on the ailing list, some ineligible for certain types of races and the usual array of stake and handicap performers of both sexes which are barred from the overnight races, due to the conditions. No Preventative for Bucked Shins Belmont Park, unlike other tracks in the nation, has an advantage when it comes to two-year-old racing. Fields of huge size, 28 is the limit in overnight races, can speed down the Widener straightaway with perfect freedom and ample racing room. While the Widener course has been raked over the coals as unpopular with the general public, due to their inability to distinguish the pacemakers in the early stages, the criticism has not been .fully borne out. The "tote" board in the center field can be regarded as a good criterion and the consumption of electric power totaling the wagering reveals that the Widener course dashes are in many instances more popular than many contested around the turns. However, the two-year-old races at this meeting have attracted less than qne-.half of the usual number of starters. The reason: Coughing and bucked shins. These two ailments, while not of a serious nature, are the aggravating ones and cause the withdrawal of trie victim from racing for a period of three weeks or more. The cough lasts, as a rule, 10 days or two weeks, while bucked shins require a similar length for treatment and cure. Bucked shins, according to some horsemen, has become more prevalent since the adoption of the starting gates, although it was always one of the maladies suffered by a two-year-old, such as measles, mumps, or what have you, in the children. The latter are more fortunate, for medical science came to their rescue, but -veterinarians have yet to find a preventative for bucked shins. The latter ailment is an inflam-* mation of the periosteum on the front of the cannon . bone. John C. Clark, down from Ginbhamton, N. Y., witnessed a couple of races, attend a meeting of the racing powers, and then hied himself home. However, he will be back next week for a longer stay Frank "Red" Leatherbee relayed word from Mobile, Ala., that, if possible, he will be here for the running of the Belmont on the final day of the meeting. He also stated that everything was going along nicely at the Clearwater Farm near his native city. . . . Mrs. Henry C. Phipps of the Wheatley Stable braved the unseasonable weather of Thursday to witness her racing silks carried to a double triumph. . . . Track superintendent Dick Strickland, over at Jamaica, said that he will wait until the latter part of July before "deciding ■on what work will be needed on the racing surface at that track. Miz Clementine Through for Summer Trainer Jake Byer is melancholy these afternoons, twenty-three years ago a filly that raced for him, Dot, named for Mrs. Byer, set a track record for one and one-sixteenth miles here. Today the program carries a new name, Misty Morn, who shattered the old standard. . . . Trainer Jimmy Jones reported that he had declared Miz Clementine from all stake engagements for the summer season. The topnotch filly popped a splint the other day, which means that she will be out of training for some time. ... At private terms, James Fitzsimmons, acting for Ogden Phipps, sold the mare Searching to Mrs. Hirsch Jacobs. . . . Cyrus Jullien of Aqueduct came over for the afternoon. . • . Trainer H. A. Lewis shipped Blessbull, owned by M. Simms, to Monmouth Park for a- stake engagement at that point on opening day. Trainer James Fitzsimmons of the Belair Stud-Wheatley Stable, has outlined plans to van several stake nominees to Monmouth JPark for engagements there. The horses will be vanned down and back, Nelson L Asiel, who underwent surgery for appendicitis, is well on the road to complete recovery and hopes to be among those present for the running of the Belmont. . . . Pat E. Provenzano came down from his upstate home for a looksee at a couple of races during the afternoon. . . . Trainer G. P. "Maje" Odom stated Hhat he would call upon Jabneh for a stiff work on Monday and then start in the Belmont. Jabneh has shown steady improvement in recent races and the colt, owned by Laudy Lawrence, the Paris, France, enthusiast, is in Odoms opinion worthy of a shot at the big one. * * Jt 3-t. I J . ■ . J Kit I I J
