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i,:J.,.,.,r,.,,,,.lii ........ ..;. ..... L-afi™ Connors Corner ■ By Chuck Connors Injuries Leave Preakness Field Uncertain Ponder Status of June 15 Belmont Stakes Gallant Man and Red God Pointing for Race JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 14.— The reports from Maryland are none too pleasant regarding the composition of the field for Saturdays Preakness. The injury i,:J.,.,.,r,.,,,,.lii ........ ..;. ..... sustained sustained by by Gen. Gen. Duke Duke and and the the sustained sustained by by Gen. Gen. Duke Duke and and the the deflection of Gallant Man added more woes to the Pimlico management in the presentation of their three-year-old offering. What of the status of the Belmont? This stakes, an inheritance by the Nassau County track from Morris Park, which in turn was the beneficiary from the old Jerome Park, is to be contested on June 15. While this date appears to be quite quite a a distance distance in in the the future, future, L-afi™ quite quite a a distance distance in in the the future, future, many changes can happen in the interim. Gallant Man, according to the Belmont Park gossip, is to be reserved for this running and there is a possibility that Red God, from the Cain Hoy Stable, will be seen under colors. In discussing Red God the other day, Harry F. Guggenheim pointed out that his colt had never raced over a distance of ground, but if breeding lines meant anything he should be capable of performing that task with ease. Red God is an extremely fast colt. He displayed that trait in training trials and in his one start under colors. His debut in this country at Hialeah " was very impressive and horsemen who witnessed the exhibition were of the opinion that if he could husband his speed over a long distance he would be a stout factor among the three-year-old contenders for titular honors. Both owner Guggenheim and trainer Woody Stephens are of the opinion that Red God not only can sprint but can get a distance of ground. However, no specified training campaign has been mapped out and whether experiments over a distance this spring will be attempted will rest on the decisions of his owner. No Upstarts Likely to Develop Gallant Man, it is known, is not the soundest horse in the country. He has foot trouble and this ailment keeps him from a hard and exhausting campaign. Johnny Nerud in nursing his charge has turned in a good job and racetrackers explain this by simply stating that he knows his horse. What of upstarts between now and the Belmont? Well, that question was also delved in by some members of the Paddock Gang. They came up with the information that none of top caliber are likely to develop. While the Preakness field may be on the small side, the Belmont is by no means looked upon to break records in the number of starters to race. the mile and one-half distance. The Belmont with few exceptions never drew a bulky field, and Jimmy Kilroe stated without hesitancy that this year "will be the rule not the exception. Frank C. Rand returned from Santa Fe, N. M., where he spent some time on business. . . . Frank L. "Red" Leatherbury, of the Clearwater Stable, came up from Mobile, Ala., for several days of racing. He may decide to take in the Preakness before returning home. ... Davy Mandel of the clubhouse set returned to the fold following a weeks absence because of illness. . . . Infatuation, owned- by the Brookfield Stable, arrived from Maryland for the six furlongs of the Champlain. She will be returned to Maryland following the running. ... At private terms, Frank Christmas acquired the French-bred Torretta from B. Hakim. Torretta was a starter last week. . . . Pardella, Janes Gess and Lennie G. were arrivals from Maryland for engagements. Trainer H. Fontaine will be along to saddle the starters for the D and H Stable. Clem Back From Garden State Clem, from the Mrs. A. L. Rand stable, was returned to Belmont Park following a week-end engagement at Garden State. . . . Frank J. Ortell, racing reporter for the World-Telegram-Sun, was discharged from the Kew Gardens hospital and is convalescing at his home. He was treated for a heart spasm. . . . Trainer Max Hirsch reported that some two-year-olds will be shipped up from the ranch later on in the spring. . . . Our Kretchen, winner of the second division of the two-year-old filly race here yesterday, is named for Gretchen Lynch, wife of the New York racing writer. However, the name was misspelled on the application and came out with a big K. instead of a G. Our Kretchen is a member of the Charfran Stable of Charles Cohen of Miami Beach, Fla. Jockey Johnny Choquette returned to the saddle ranks yesterday following a suspension inflicted by the local stewards. His grounding a few days before the Derby resulted in Willie Shoemaker being assigned the mount on Gallant Man. . . . James Fitzsimmons leaves for Pimlico Wednesday. He will be hosted and toasted before and after the running of the Mr. Fitz Handicap. On Saturday he will saddle Wheatley Stables Bold Ruler for the Preakness. . . . William Ewing, who has a draft of horses with Tom Waller, was on hand yesterday. . . . Trainer George Odom reported that if all goes well Poly-Hi, winner of the Rosedale, will fulfill her engagement in the Fashion. Poly-Hi is owned by the New Yorker, Mrs. George Zauderer. . . . Fred Capo-sella will leave here Friday to handle the Preakness over radio and teevee. He will return here after the race. . . . Harry Isaacs, of Brookfield Farm, is scheduled to be on hand to root for his starter, Infatuation, in the Champlain.
