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„«and 1 "What "What happe happens Nagler on Racing Discussion on Use of Blinkers; Bold Ruler May Get French Cup By BARNEY NAGLER JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 11.— A week after the Derby they were still talking about it in the jockeys room at Jamaica, saying they were sure that Bold Ruler Was a better horse than he showed at Churchill Downs and guaranteeing that he will do • better if he gets to run in the Preakness. He will run, a fellow said, „«and 1 because because "Sunny "Sunny Jim" Jim" Fitzsimmons Fitzsimmons wants wants him him to to run. run. because because "Sunny "Sunny Jim" Jim" Fitzsimmons Fitzsimmons wants wants him him to to run. run. "Why, Mr. Fitz is even talking about running him with blinkers," a fellow said. "Is that good?" "It all depends." the other one said. "I think blinkers are used too much now. More than theyve ever been. Modern trainers go for them." "You mean newcomers like Mr. Fitz?" The other one smiled. He had been horse-trapped. "No, what I was saying." he said, "was that too many modern trainers just run to the blinkers when they have trouble. Sometimes 1 it works on a horse, keeping his mind on his business. But often it doesnt." ns then?" then?" "What "What happe happens ns then?" then?" It takes the competition out of a horse. A horse has got to run against competition. When hes got blinkers on he may not run his race because he cant see the ■hnrsps horses, anri and not not seeiner seeing t.hprrv them, hp he isnt. isnt ♦ • ■ - — — —— — — — ~mmm~ ■»— — m~mmm — — — 1 m ■hnrsps horses, anri and not not seeiner seeing t.hprrv them, hp he isnt. isnt ♦ • pressed on." "Why would Bold Ruler need blinkers?" "So he doesnt run out. You know he ran out on Arcaro in the Derby, and he did it here one day. Eddie almost broke him in half trying to keep him straight, but he couldnt hold him in the Derby." "What I want to know," the inquisitive one said, "is how many different types of blinkers are there? What I mean, are they all alike?" Three Important Kinds of Blinkers "There are three important kinds of blinkers," the man said. "Theres the open blinkers, with the eye slots full compass. Theres the closed blinkers, which means a horse just sees straight ahead of him and not out of the sides. And theres the French cup." "Sounds like a trophy or a piece of female apparel." The man laughed. "Its neither," he said. "A French cup is a half blinker. It permits a horse to see a little." "Now. which one will Mr. Fritz put on Bold Ruler if he decides to put one on him in the Preakness? That is, if Bold Ruler runs in the Preakness." "I would say hell use the half blinker because Mr. Fitz is a great one to cut triangles into the blinkers to give a /horse a little more seeing room. The opening is cut in back of the blinker. He prefers it." Another man. overhearing the conversation, said. "How many Calumet horses have won the Derby?" "Six, I guess," the man said. "How many have Ben Jones and Jimmy Jones won?" "Seven. I guess.** "Of the six Calumet winners in the Derby, which one wore blinkers?" "I would say it was Whirlaway in 1941," the man said. "Youre right. I checked it when I heard Mr. Fitz was thinking of using blinkers." "What kind of blinkers did Whirlaway have on?" "I wouldnt know," the newcomer said. Continued on Page forty-Six ■— MM— — l— »■■! — 1— in ,i. . ■■— — — Nagler on Racing Continued from Page Three "I just checked to see if he wore blinkers. That was enough for me." "Getting back to Bold Ruler." the man said, "I just want to tell you that blinkers or no blinkers, Eddie Arcaro still thinks hes the best around for the Preakness, even if Gen. Duke runs. I walked back from the scales to the room here with Eddie the other day and we talked about Bold Ruler and Eddie said, "I still think Mr. Fitz has a horse in Bold Ruler. He should beat Gen. Duke." "We may find out in the Preakness." "We will if Gen. Duke runs and Bold Ruler runs, and dont forget Iron Liege." the man said. "Thats another story." the newcomer said. They left it at that.
