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Maryland By Charles Hatton Dublins Lord Mayor Loses Pimlico Parlay Presidents Kin to Attend 81st Preakness Compliment HBPA on Knebelkamp, Denemark PIMLICO. Baltimore. Md.. May 10.— The eighty-first Preakness next week end is the talk of Baltimore Towne these delightful spring days. Little else is even discussed in turf circles. Will Iron Liege gain a second leg on the American Triple Crown? Will the hapless Gallant Man come here to turn the tables on Mrs. Markeys gallant bay? Will Bold Ruler repudiate the form of last Saturdays slambang "spectacular" on Churchill Downs? These and other piquant questions fill the air. Betimes, the ancient Maryland Jockey Club will entertain this Saturday at a renewal of old. old Dixie, now transplanted to the sweeping green turf course. The Dixie has St. Vincent, Blue Choir, the reconstructed Aeschylus, Jabneh and others who think grass is good enough to eat. and it ought to be fun. Our preference is Aeschylus, named for the Greek drama critic, if he does not come unstuck. He has won both his races here this spring with ruffles and a flourish. We had an interesting visitor on the Hilltop on the eve of this Dixie. Dublins Lord Mayor Robert Briscoe. His Honor is a true aficianado. and terminated a meeting in nearby Washington. D. C.T excusing himself to attend urgent business at Pimlico. The days feature was named the Dublin Purse and the Mayor, continen-tally correct in black coat and gray striped morning pants, did the honors in the winners enclosure. Lou Pondfield chaperoned him about the premises, showing him the points of interest, and the visitor fronrSt. Stephens green turned out to be a very charming fellow. First a Winner, Then a Loser While Pondfield was displaying George Washingtons letter and other antiques, Briscoe said: "That is fine. I know you have tradition. But where are the mutuel windows?" He bet 0 on a winner, just to have a flyer, then parlayed back 5 on River" Jordan. We regret to say River Jordan let him down. The Lord Mayor beseeched him to come first, but he could only be second. Upon taking his leave. Briscoe said: "This is the first American race track I have visited and- I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Now my trip is complete." Briscoes interest in the sport, so frefreshingly-free of hugger-mugger about moral issues and what is politic, doubtless comes as a shock to many readers. But those in even the higheset public offices in the British Isles hold adult and realistic views about the thoroughbred sport. England, Ireland and France all support national studs. President Sean OKelly of Ireland races horses and is a familiar figure on The Curragh. Englands Queen raced her countrys Horse of the Year, Aureole, a couple of seasons back and can quote pedigrees as knowingly as any of her subjects. At Paris marvelous Longchamp there is a large box on the finish especially constructed for the French presidents, whose appearances on the day of the Prix de lArc de Triomphe is an old, established custom, one that has the vociferous acclaim of his demonstrative countrymen. Not since Andrew Jackson campaigned a string of thoroughbreds who could not run fast enough to pay for their oats has any ol our Presidents been actively associated with the sport. Grant used to enjoy attending during the seasons at Saratoga, near his mountain home. But somewhere along the line, perhaps when Teddy Roosevelt closed Bennings to keep his high-spirited daughter Alice away, it became somehow unseemly, a breech of political etiquette, for Presidents to be seen at the race course. It is all right for them to goof off several weeks fishing or playing golf, and it is traditional for them to throw out the first ball as the season opens. But President after President has maintained a remote attitude toward the thoroughbred sport, in slavish conformity to a rather narrow, stupid precedent. American racings attendance figures compare favorably with those of any other sport. It is more militantly policed than any other sport. We should think that those who oppose presidential attendance as somehow imprudent politically would pause to consider how this makes the mass of voters who go racing in this country feel, and the feelings of crowned heads and presidents elsewhere in the free world we are trying so desperately to keep intact. It does not make sense. First Lady Used to Visit Pimlico President Eisenhowers brother, Dr. Milton Eisenhower, occasionally attends Pimlico, and is bringing a large party to the Preakness. Among his guests is the Presidents son, Maj. John Eisenhower. "The First Lady" was in almost daily attendance at this course, hard by the nations capital, watching the races from the second floor of the old clubhouse, before Eisenhowers election. Her sister frequents Charles Town and the Maryland tracks. And Congress once adjourned to see an important race at Pimlico. Why should not Eisenhower join his family to see this Preakness? We cannot think he would not enjoy it. and the general effect in this country, and in identifying more closely with the heads of nations with whom we have so many other Continued •* Page Tweitty-Nin* MARYLAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Five common bonds would be of tremendous value. Our compliments to the Kentucky and central divisions of the HBPA on their election of Walker Knebelkamp and Emil Denemark. respectively, as heads of their groups. Both bring to theiir posts the dignity of longtime owners and breeders and successful businessmen. Indeed. Knebel-I kamp is a past president of the NASRC. They are men of a higher caliber than some of their predecessors in various segments of the horsemen s organization We are confident that close harmony will be achieved and maintained between management and the owners and trainers. Their elections help to assure the continued growth and development of the sport on sound ground. Knebelkamp s father before him. one of our boyhood friend, for many years maintained a stud on the banks of the Ohio and raced a large - string of horses. His uncle. Pat Knebelkamp. was a successful trainer, developing King Saxon. Adobe Post and other stakes performers.
