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i i yHJeJMHI California I By Oscar Otis Haggin Grows in Importance, Prestige Pleasanton Opens County Fair Circuit - Longden Rates Porterhouse Superbly HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., June 20. With Swaps marking time in the barn and awaiting his next outing in the 0,000 Westerner come Saturday. urday, July July 9. 9, and and the the rabid rabid dls- i i urday, July July 9. 9, and and the the rabid rabid dls- discussions of last week about the proposed Swaps-NashUa match having simmered down to academic comment, Southern California racing fans turned their attention to one of the most interesting periods of the summer season, the rapid-fire running of a series of seven stakes, culminating in the 0,000 American Handicap on Monday, the Fourth of of July. July. The The stakes stakes series series opens opens of of July. July. The The stakes stakes series series opens opens yHJeJMHI Tuesday with the tenth running of the 5,000 Hollywood Oaks, an allowance race at a mile and a furlong, with a ceiling poundage of 124 pounds. It was only last year -that the Oaks was dignified by establishing its distance at nine furlongs, and prior to that it had been run at first, a mile; later, a mile and a sixteenth, barring the freak year of 1947, when it had a single decision at seven furlongs. While the Oaks is not raced under classic conditions, it appears to be gradually moving in that direction, but even lacking -the scale and a distance that would provide- a test of stamina as the very name "Oaks" implies, the stake, nevertheless, has earned for itself considerable prestige if only for the reason it never has, been won by an inferior horse. Honeymoon set the tone for this statement in the inaugural running in 1946, and in 1947 4 Rex Ellsworth uncorked one of his early time good runner, U -Time. Last year, Miz Clementine was more than impressive in galloping to victory over Frosty Dawn and Free Country. Several Haggin Winners Have Started in Derby Then, on Thursday, the first major test of the summer for two-year-olds will be contested at five furlongs, said test being the traditional Haggin. Even in the days when Hollywood Park merely tolerated two-year-olds instead of appreciating them, as is the case today, the Haggin always was a popular stake. As a matter of record, the Haggin has, in past years, given quite distinct clues as to three-year-old events longs in the future, for it has helped to prove up many horses who went on to be Derby prospects. The first Haggin winner to try for the Kentucky Derby, for instance, was Sea Swallow, who won a division of the split back in 1944. Last year, Mr. Sullivan, with Shoemaker, beat an eastern invader, Back Hoe, and a horse called Swaps. James Session, the 1954 winner, was a Kentucky Derby starter of a year ago. The exciting week will be rounded out by the Inglewood Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth on Saturday, and while not an important stake in its own right, it is considered quite worthwhile as a stepping stone toward the 00,000 Gold Cup of July 16. To return to the Haggin, we dare say the race will never be quite satisfactory to Hollywood Park officials until Louis Lee Haggin n president of Keeneland, crowns the winner. Haggin has been trying for some years to fit a visit to Hollywood to coincide with the Haggin running, but so far without success. But we do expect the time will come when he not only will be here in person for the stake, but have a starter as well. We have mentioned before, but in connection with the Haggin. will repeat, that this years crop of two-year-olds will make this Haggin renewal even more impressive. Increases Expected on Fair Circuit Also notworthy on the western turf this week is the scheduled opening Friday of the California fair circuit at Pleasanton. Following this 12-day meeting, Vallejo, Sant Rosa, San Maeto, Stockton, Sacramento, Pomona, and Fresno follow in rotation. Although the major tracks are at best only holding their own in comparison with last year, we feel certain that substantial increases will be shown all around the fair wheel. Pleasanton has been a horse center since 1800, and archives show regularly scheduled race meetings as far back as 1826. It is one of the most beatuiful tracks in the nation and has a racing strip of a full mile, which is used year round off season for training. Pleasanton is under the jurisdiction of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and while they say racing and politics do not mix, the Alameda lawgivers have established almost ideal standards of treatment for racing in their supervision of the Pleasanton Fair. Johnny Longden sort of "stepped out of character" here Saturday and rode a winning race with Llangollen Farms Porterhouse, and made the tactic pay off by coming with a great rush through the stretch to win the 5,000 Lakes and Flowers Handicap. The high-weight and favorite, Berseem, ridden by Willie Shoemaker, set the pace, but could not sustain his bid through the stretch, and had to be content with second. And Louis B. Mayers Alidon, outrun early, was a belated third. Longden, as most western fans are aware, likes nothing better than to rate in front, but in the Lakes and Flowers, his surprise maneuver paid rich dividends, Shoemaker seeming to think himself a sure winner an eighth out. Porterhouse raced the seven furlongs in 1:21, a time which, a year ago, would have been absolutely sensational. But compared to El Drags world record of 1:2.0 flat, as established earlier this meeting, it was just ordinary for a good horse. Porterhouse picked up win money of 6,000 in the Lakes and Flowers, which lifted his seasonal total to 3,375; This is not bad considering that his record has been spotty, but we will say that his good races have verged on brilliance. . .. . ve 3 i . ? x f i n i c r i
