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Reflections i By Nelson Dunstan No Match Race Possible This Summer Nashua Will Complete Present Schedule Could Clash With Swaps in Fall Event NEW YORK, N. Y., June 21. In this column yesterday we stated that there could be no match race between Nashua and Swaps until the fall. We since have talked at some length with William Woodward, Jr., and he said: "I have discussed the situation with my trainer, Jim Fitzsimmons, and we have decided to complete the schedule for Nashua we have mapped out. We will remain here for the Dwyer at Aqueduct on July 2 and then Send our horse to Chicago for the Arlington Classic on July 16. After that, he will return to Saratoga. That was the way my father always raced his top three-year-olds, and I plan to follow in his footsteps with Nashua. If my information is correct, Rex Ellsworth, a fine horseman with a very fine horse, plans to start Swaps in the Westerner at Hollywood Park on July 9 and then ship to Washington Park in Chicago for the American Derby on August 20. Our horse is not named for the American Derby so there is little sense in any discussion of a match race at this time. I doubt if Ellsworth would want to interrupt his plans any more than we do." Whether these two horses will ever meet in a match is a question at this time, but there are several races in the fall in which they could battle it out. Woodward said he has no plans after the Saratoga meeting. Woodward Is Not Ducking the Issue There has been some talk that Woodward is "ducking" the match with Swaps. After talking with him we are convinced that as his father was the breeder of Nashua, he feels he should do exactly as his father would have done. Checking the records, we find that William Woodwards Sr., had a very definite schedule for Gallant Fox, Omaha and Johnstown. In 1930, Gallant Fox started in 10 races, the Wood Memorial, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Dwyer, Classic, Tra-vers, Saratoga Cup, Lawrence Realization and Jockey Club Gold Cup. In 1935, Omahas last race was in the Classic, but up until that time his program was like that of Gallant Fox, the only difference being that Omaha started in the Brooklyn Handicap against older horses, running third to Discovery and King Saxon. The following year, -he was shipped to England. At present; Woodward has no intention of sending Nashua to the other side, but he is mapping plans for Nashua exactly as his father would have done. While he did not name the races at Saratoga that will engage Nashua, we presume he will appear irr the Travers on August 13 and possibly the Saratoga Cup on August 24. If both horses complete their present schedules, it would not be possible for a meeting between them before September. Ben Lindheimer of Arlington and Washington Parks in Chicago, Mervyn LeRoy of Hollywood Park in California, and Amory Haskell, president of Monmouth Park in New Jersey, made offers for the match. With both horses completing their present schedules, the only one who could stage it would be Lindheimer, as Washington Park operates through Labor Day, which will be on September 5. Although the Washington Park Handicap, closing-day feature at the Chicagoland meeting, closed its nominations last November 1 without either Swaps or Nashua being named, supplementary nominations of ,500 may be made to it until August 15. That race is, however, open to horses three-years and older at one mile and usually attracts some of the top handicap runners in training for a share of the approximate 70,000 gross purse. There are some fall races for which they could still be named, such as The Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park, and the Pimlico Special, should it be exclusively for three-year-olds again this season. For the latter, it is a foregone conclusion both owners will be sent invitations. In The Jockey Club Gold Cup they probably would meet older horses, and what would be more attractive than a race bringing out Swaps, Nashua, Helioscope and High Gun at weight-for-age? That quartet would pack any track to the rafters and it is certain that a throng of over 60,000 would be on hand to see the best three-year-olds and the best older horses now in training at grips. Events Haye Decreased in Recent Years In recent years match races have decreased in numbers, for in the days of our forefathers two men would meet, make a side bet, and race horse against horse. Even in those days, the matches were as risky as they were thrilling. Back in 1878, a great cry went up for a match between Ten Broeck and Mollle McCarthy, a wonderful mare of her years. They met in Louisville, but to the astonishment of all Mollie started to sulk and slowed down to a walk. In 1881, Hindoo, one of the greatest horses ever developed in this country, was defeated by Crickmore. Checking further on famous horses who engaged in match racing, we find that Miss Woodford started in three or four. In 1885, at old Monmouth Park, there was a three-horse match between Freeland, Miss Woodford and Pontiac and they finished in that order. Old-timers will still tell about the matches of Sal vator-Tenny, . Domino -Dobbins, and Domino-Henry of Navarre. , I 111 1 1 " t " i x r r e , . j j I I V5 ,iW..fn
