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•mm~ ~mmri~~*T*m!*iri. Connors Corner Handicap Ranks May Brighten With Big Events Coming Up By C. J. CONNORS JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 13. — The result of the week-end features around the nation, the handicap division offerings in particular, again pointed out the weakness of that classification. However, there appears a bright spot on the horizon and some of the more spectacular members of the older brackets will in the near future face the starter. The Belmont Park handicap agenda has some offerings that over the years appealed to owners and trainers and with the running of the Metropolitan, Suburban and Brooklyn some of the better regarded ones whose base, of operation include tracks other than New York may be lured here for those events. Horsemen in discussing the handicap division cited the fact that the older horses have more opportunities at present than in the past. There are many 00,000 offerings during the winter months and these are more attractive to horsemen than those contested during the spring and early summer months north of the Mason -Dixon line. While this matter was discussed pro and con, what of such horses as Summer Tan, Needles, Fabius. Bardstown and a few others of that ilk? The late closing of such stakes offerings today is a perfect veil for owners and trainers who can mask their intentions up to a couple of weeks prior to the the running running or of the the race. race. It It is is true true that that i some kind of a line can be gleaned from the the running running or of the the race. race. It It is is true true that that i training trials but these as a rule offer no immediate tipoff, for distance events are presented at widely separated tracks on such a schedule that trainers can select any of several. With transportation today on a stafcle-to-stable basis, the weights published five or six days ahead of the offerings, trainers can decide several hours ahead of the running which one, in their opinion, would be most beneficial to their charges and that is that. Anyway, the dearth of the old iron-type of handicap performers such as Exterminator. Boniface. Grey Lag, Roamer and Assault is on the wane. Trainers prefer a stud future for their charges rather than racing due to the fact that once a reputation has been earned, why invite disaster by continued racing. Rainey Recovering From Surgery Mr. and Mrs. John Hanes were recent Belmont Park visitors and then took in some afternoon racing . . . The medics at the Physicians Hospital, Jackson Heights, report that Cal Rainey is progressing steadily and will be up and about before long. He underwent surgery for a double hernia . . . King Hairan, owned by Harry Massey and Leo Edwards, was returned to Belmont Park from his successful invasion of Garden State . . . Jockey Bill Boland will be astride Dedicate when the Mrs. Jan Burke handicap colt launches his New York seasons bow at Belmont Park . . . Mrs. l John Nerud. wife of the trainer of Gallant I Man, returned to her Miami Springs, Fla. home following a brief visit to these parts ... Commissioner and Mrs. Ashley Cole were among the clubhouse regulars . . . •Morris Dixon was a week-end visitor to his farm at Newton Square, Pa., and reported that everything was in good order. Trainer Woody Stephens reported that Red God. owned by Cain Hoy, is doing nicely and will launch his New Yofk ca- I reer in an overnight at Belmont Park . . . j Eddie Burke, the Miami Beach patron, who I suffered an eye injury in a golf game last winter, w,as discharged from the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital. He is recuperating at his New York home and his condition was pronounced excellent. He underwent surgery for the injured optic . . . Bobby Smithers, of the Jamaica secretarial forces who was injured in an auto accident, is convalescing at his home. He is reported as. improving steadily . . . Apprentice E. J. Decker came up with a minor illness and cancelled his mounts for the afternoon . . . Eddie Arcaro will ride through Friday at Jamaica and leave for Pimlico on Saturday morning to ride Bold Ruler in the Preak-ness. Harry LaMontagne was on hand to root for his starter Goulash in the featured offering . . . H. A. Luro was an arrival from the farm in Georgia and reported that all horses he will campaign in New York are here . . . Something new was added to the finish line marker at this track. A fluores- Contmucd on Page Fortr CONNORS CORNER By CHUCK CONNORS Continued from Page Three cent paper circle, facing up the stretch, outlined the finish to the riders . . . Mr. and Mrs. Cortwright Wetherill held a celebration following Kingmakers triumph in the featured offering on the week end . . . Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Kleberg were weekend visitors . . . Herbert Bayard Swope made his first appearance of the season. He promised to be a frequent visitor now that the weather is warm . . . James Pitzsim-mons will leave for Baltimore on Wednesday. He will return shortly after the running of the Preakness . . . Mrs. Dodge Sloane was a recent Belmont Park visitor and witnessed some of her horses in training trials . . . Happy Princess, owned by Mabel D. Lewis, is due here today to fulfill her engagement on Wednesday.
