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Aqueduct By Chuck Connors : -J First Half of 1955 Turf Season About Over Much Has Transpired Since New Years Day Controversy Over Swaps-Nashua Continues AQUEDUCT, L. I., N. Y., June 28. The first half of the 1955 racing season is about to become a matter of record. In the period which started on New Years Day at the three winter tracks, the big ones, Florida, California and Louisiana, much has transpired and racing history came up with a few perplexing questions that remain unsolved. The outstanding one of this category is the Swaps-Nashua controversy over the outcome of the Kentucky Derby. Swaps won that in convincing manner as he did in his next start, beating older horses at Hollywood Park, and Eastern racing N men are steadily revising upward their opinion of the colt from California. Nashua, on the other hand, has not dropped in their estimation, due to his smashing scores in the Preakness and Belmont, but and here is the rub, his opposition was lacking in real ability, for supposedly Belmont horses. The arguments between the partisans of both colts will continue and from the present outlook will not be stilled for some time, if ever. All Eyes on High Gun-Helioscope Clash The number of proposed match races between the two at locations here and there has generated additional heat to the overall argument, but as Kipling once said, "The East is East, the West is West, and Never Shall the Twain Meet," or words to that effect. That for the present appears to sum up the situation. While the three-year-olds remain thousands of miles apart, the top bidders for the handicap division accolade, Helioscope and High Gun, are about ready to renew their rivalry. They are both slated to clash in the seven furlongs of the Carter on Independence Day. The pair niet last year in i;he Arlington Classic won by Errard King with Helioscope, 120, second, and High Gun, 123, third. The Suburban at Belmont saw Helioscope, 128, first over High Gun, 133. The Carter weights are level and what will be the outcome? Anyway, the first six months of 1955 produced many highlights and no doubt the final Six months w411 add more to the record. Trainer Preston Burch of the Brookmeade Stable will depend upon either Capeador or First Aid for the big week end offering at Narragansett. His choice will be shipped some time this evening. . . . Jack Dempsey, the restaurateur, has come up with a new handicap system. It works, said the pride of fistiana. . . . R. N. Webster was among those present for the afternoon. . . . Charles Cohen of Charfran Stable motored over to Monmouth to witness the performance of his starters Cascanuez and Brown Booter in the turf event. The horses will be returned to Belmont Park after the race. . . . Mrs. John W. Galbreath was out for the afternoon. . . . Jimmy Smith, whohas the Eleonora Sears horses in his care, is auto-less and mad. Saturday evening, after the last race, he went to the parking lot in search of his car. Alas and alack, no car, some unknown person or persons had borrowed the auto. The Jamaica police are on the prowl in quest of his transportation medium. Jock McCue came down from-Stamford, Conn., for the afternoon. . . . Trainer Burch, before taking off for Monmouth Park, stated that Sammy Boulmetis would ride County Clare for the Brookmeade Stable in the grass race feature at that track. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Jack Skinner returned from a business trip to Miami, Fla. Jack reported that the weather was real hot and on , several occasions postponed a fishing trip. "The fish would broil before I could boat em" was his explanation. . . . Trainer Casey Hayes of the C. T. Chenery Stable, he has accounted for a couple of training doubles at this meeting, hied himself away to Monmouth Park for the afternoon. . . . Jason Eaby decided to hang up his tack and retire from the steeplechase riding ranks after many years service. Leading Aussie Trainer on Visit Humphrey Finney escorted Thomas J. Smith, one of Australias leading trainers, around the. grounds during the afternoon. Smith recently arrived from an English visit and is heading home. His charges are turned out for the winter months in that land and will be picked up and placed in training in another few weeks. . . . Clifford Luskey, the Lexington, Ky patron, is en route here from his home towitness the Carter Handicap in which he will represented by Tuosix. . . . Tommy Hyland, one of the veterans of yesteryear, was a visitor yesterday afternoon. The visit was his first since his retirement years ago and he makes his home in Amityville, N. Y. Jimmy Maguire relays word from Saratoga Springs that work on the Union Avenue grounds is progressing steadily for the opening of that meeting. He states that one change will be noted near the main entrance gate on Union Avenue. The cafe that occupied the corner opposite the gate has been razed and an oil station will be opened there in the near future. . . . Allen T. Simmons, the Akron, Ohio, ownejr and breeder, was recently cited by Mayor Leo Berg of that city. The honor bestowed was for the gift of an electronic warning device in case of an air raid. . . . Frank E. "Jimmie" Kilroe, celebrated his natal day today, but forgot to bring out the proverbial cake and the well chilled dry Monopole. Dont forget next year, was the warning from the paddock gang and his associates.
