Belmont Park: Field for Belmont in Fluid State Attention on Top Flight Handicap High, Daily Racing Form, 1955-06-07

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, . * Belmont Park « -By Chuck Connors Field for Belmont in Fluid State Attention on Top Flight Handicap High Voltage and Parlo Will Meet BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., June 6.— This is the final week at Belmont Park with the climactic feature, the Belmont, on Saturday. This classic, regarded regarded by by many many as as the the supreme supreme , . regarded regarded by by many many as as the the supreme supreme test for that age classification, will find Nashua from the Belair Stud as the standout representative. The composition of the starting field is in a fluid state with many a prospective aspirant but nothing definite. To oppose the Belair champion, Jabneh, owned by Laudy Lawrence, and Traffic Judge, representing Clifford Moo-ers, are considered starters with the the possibility possibility of of Nances Nances Lad. Lad. the the possibility possibility of of Nances Nances Lad. Lad. * However, there is no guaranteed assurance that the field will comprise more than six starters. The answer is quite simple. The majority of owners and trainers are loath to ram their respective heads against a stone fence by starting their charges. They are conversant with the limitations of their own charges and, despite the fact that Nashua was trounced by Swaps in the Kentucky Derby, they still hold this fellow in respect. While the Belmont is the top feature of the meeting, the Top Flight Handicap looms up as an event that will capture the full attention of the racing fraternity. This race promises to bring together High Voltage, the dynamic three-year-old owned by the Wheatley Stable, against her older rival Parlo, from the Foxcatcher Farm. This encounter lifts the Top Flight from the post of another stake on the agenda to something special. As a rule, along at this time of the year trainers are wary against pitting a three-year-old against older horses but, then, High Voltage is something special and this event is another step in her campaign to rule the roost in the filly and mare division. The various ailments that beset the fragile thoroughbred took its toll at this meeting, coughing and bucked shins were the predominant ones, postponed the debut of some of the better regarded juveniles until later in the year. However, Pollys Jet, from the Philadelphia-owned Barclay Stable of John McShain, showed to advantage and no doubt will do until another comes along. Another Godfrey Hopeful Injured Pursuader, . owned by Arthur Godfrey of television fame, came out of his debut with a banged up knee. The mishap occurred when the colt bolted through the fence that outlines the Widener course as it bisects the main track. However, the injury is, according to trainer Morris Dixon, not as severe as first anticipated. Hard luck has dogged the Godfrey venture into the racing business for in addition to Pursuader, Sun Ruler suffered a concussion when he struck his head aainst the starting gate structure. His other highly regarded colt, Lord Willin, is a victim of "athletes heart." The noise and excitement of the paddock and racing send his pulse beating at a rapid rate and nothing can be done about that ailment. . . . Trainer James Fitzsim-mons vanned Nashua over from Aqueduct for a training test for his week-end Belmont engagement. The colt turned in a smart move and after being cooled out was returned to the Rockaway Boulevard course. Mrs. Charles S. Payson of the Greentree Stable was a week-end visitor, minus the radio that she usually has with her to keep cases on the New York Giants. . . . The first edition of the Aqueduct overnight book was released to horsemen this morning. . . . Joseph M. Roebling came over from his Trenton, N. J., home to witness the running of the Peter Pan. . . . Spencer Drayton of the TRPB was among those present for the big week end. . . . Bernard Baruch and Herbert Bayard Swope compared handicap figures during the afternoon. . . . Jack Lawrence, who has a draft of horses in training for the Phantom Farm of Walter *D. Fletcher, came up with a suggestion to be incorporated into the new track to be erected here. He suggested that a helicopter landing* be installed atop one of the roofs of the new building at a site that is easily accessible for the loading or unloading of passengers who may decide to travel that way. . . . Mr. and Mrs. William Helis, he owns Helioscope, returned to their New Orleans, La., home. They may return to Aqueduct where Helioscope is named for several stakes. McGrath and Reuben to Confer Paddy McGrath was due here this morning from Ireland. He is bringing over a trio of horses to race here, the names were unavailable. However, McGrath will later leave for Chicago where he will confer with Allie Reuben of the Hasty House Farm relative to the sale of the Epsom Derby runner-up Panaslipper. The deal has been on the fire for several days and either will be consummated or canceled by Wednesday. . . . Frank "Red" Leatherbury planed up from Mobile to lend moral encouragement to the Clearwater Stable starter, Portersville, in the Peter Pan. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Gilroy came down from Connecticut for the afternoon. . . . A. T. Cole, William Langley and Leon Swirbul of the New York State" Racing Commission witnessed the running of the week-end program. . . . Morris Dixon was a brief visitor at the Devon Horse Show and will long remember the occasion. He tripped on a loose plank in the grandstand, tumbled, and in an effort to protect himself grabbed a hand rail. The latter member gave way and Dixon fell 10 or 12 , feet, suffering, hip injuries.


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800