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,— , — .„„.. nm.i- __ Maryland By Charles Hatton I Alibi Table Passing From Pimlico Scene Knock Is In Against Bold Ruler in Stakes - Police Prepare to Cope With Record Crowd PIMLICO. Baltimore, Md., May 15.— Among the unforgivable sacrileges which the MJC has perpetrated in the name of progress is the relocation of the "Alibi ,— , — Table." Table," alwavs always to to a a noint point nearer nearer Table." Table," alwavs always to to a a noint point nearer nearer the doer, in the old clubhouse here. The Alibi Table is on its way out. It is an institution. Since time immerorable, it has been the rendezvous for trainers, riders and sleepless newsmen, with an occasional interloper from among the owners, track operators and other such negligible characters. It is a forum, over coffee and cake, served by the tne white-coated, wrilte-coated, ageless ageless "Harry," "Harry," .„„.. nm.i- __ the tne white-coated, wrilte-coated, ageless ageless "Harry," "Harry," and enjoyed by horsemen between sets in the small hours. Until a few years ago, the Alibi Table was a long, distinguished antique, seating more than a dozen, and it had the dignity of a room all to itself. Last year, it was removed to a small, regulation-sized table, like any other, in a corner of the main dining room. Now, it is a completely anonymous table on the porch. This is a little saddening to veterans of Ye Olde Pimlycoe. They feel that if the shades of Marse Tom Healey and Jack Joyner haunt the present Pimlico brass it will serve them right. As one of the lazier armchair element we sympathize with those who deplore the passing of the Alibi Table, for it used to serve as a source of "intelligence" which obviated the necessity of deploying along shedrow. Here one could combine business with pleasure, sipping coffee while being briefed on the latest training news. He could keep informed through an exchange of opinions — table dhote and a la carte. Doc Lang Holding Court Nearbly Other reservoirs of information were the Smarts," who held down the corner of Belvedere and Park Heights avenues, and the neighboring Pimlico Inn. where the astringent Chick Lang held court like a modern Dr. Johnson of racing. One could make the rounds of these habitats and lairs of the turf fraternity and maybe find the answer to who is going to win the Preakness, coming up with a Gallop Poll all his own. But things have changed. The intrusion of the steeplechase jockeys several years ago upset the Alibi Table. They would dunk donuts and tell lies that would make any of Isaac Waltons disciples blush. We are not surprised Pimlico abandoned steeplechasing. Lang? He has become Willie Hartacks agent, thereby disqualifying himself as a prejudiced witness in matters racing. Poking around among the vestigial remains of our old haunts this morning, we did find one survivor of the era of Matt Daiger, Charley Fleischmann and the others. Disdaining coffee at what now passes for the Alibi Table, we met J. Yancey Christmas going down the steps. Se we asked him who would win this Preakness. "I dont know." Christmas said in his rumbling voice. "But I will tell you who I think will not win the Preakness — Bold Ruler! I think he has gone past his peak. I think he has had it." So Eddie Arcaro, who climbed off him the other day, unimpressed that he had won the Prep, is not alone in his opinion. And Bart Sweeney says: "The first thing Mrs. Phipps said when he lost the Derby was He did not run his race." She said it firmly, you may be sure, for she is not one to quibble. Indeed, it is said that Mrs. Phipps is the only one who can top Mr. Fitz in the department of articulation. Both are downright eloquent. Some horses one takes on faith. Is we select Bold Ruler in this Preakness it will be on suspicion — a dark suspicion that Mr. Fitz, whose charge was "sore and overtrained" before the Wood, is right again. G-Men to Shadow Vice-President Nixon Protecting the public weal becomes a problem of deep concern for inspector Bernard J. Schmidt of the Baltimore police department each Preakness Day, and we shouldnt wonder if he gets a migrane just anticipating the crowd of 30,000 to 40,000 Lou Pondfield so hopefully expects on Saturday. Whenever that many people converge on Pimlico bent on merrymaking, it poses a myriad of details for the traffic, detective and northern district police authorities. A large staff of Secret Service men already have "cased" Pimlico to assure that Vice-President Nixon derives the maximum of pleasure at the minimum risk he will lose anything more than a chance tote ticket. It may be comforting to the average fan to know that 100 policemen will be on hand to take solicitous care of his interests. "We anticipate a capacity crowd," Schmidt says, adding that "we have formulated emergency plans, to be effected if they are needed." Patrolmen will be stationed at more than 50 important intersections, to expedite the flow of traffic. Responsible for the security of the track property is Capt. George H. Mintiens, who is the chief of the detective bureau. He will have two sergeants and seven plainclothesmen on duty to supplement the tracks own force. Their principal func-tons will be to suppress illegal gambling, and to appre- Cont irtweJ on Page Forty -Four I MARYLAND By CHARLES HATTON Continued from Page Five hend and bring to book any pickpockets, touts and other parasites they can find. Even the Preakness entrants will be guarded against disorderly conduct, we learn from track officials. A special detail of police will line the rails to keep any unduly impulsive fans from rushing out on the course during the race, and a cordon will escort the winner to the enclosure, in which he will be cited by Nixon. Turf ana: Needles, champion of the 56 three-year-clds, was seen in company with Joe Rutter this morning. He is among the numerous "coughers" hereabout, but will be exhibited under the D and H colors on Preagkncss Day. Bonnie Heath has been going racing here. . . . Discussing Iron Lieges brilliant trial, Oliver Cutshaw said: "The thing that fooled me was his stride. He is a big horse and has a stride to match." . . . Cliff Lussky, again released from the hospital, must miss the Preakness. He has a yearling sister to Federal Hill. "She has a head just like him," Stanley Rieser observes. Their dam did not win, but is a 100 per cent producer. Iron Lieges dam, Iron Maiden, now has a Mahmoud filly foal and has been bred to Mark-Ye-Well. This mare represents the Derby winningest family in America, three in the last four generations. Iron Liege, incidentally, was known originally as Iron Lea. Gene Markey has been naming some of the string. . . . With seven starters, the upcoming Preakness will gross 13,800, yielding its winner a gross cf 6,300 and net of 5,250. . . . Ralph Lowe already has seven fillies earmarked for Gallant Mans court when eventually that beautifully bred little colt retires. Timonium plans a public "burning ceremony- to raze its presetn stand, which is to be replaced by a modern ,200,000 structure. Everybody is invited by general manager Johnny Heil to come to the fire. . . . Once, some years ago. one of Keeneland president D. A. Headleys kin had a homestead that burned down in the middle of the night, lighting up the countryside for miles around. All the neighbors assembled to watch. Highlight of the occasion came when an uncle, clad in nightgown, climbed from an upstairs window and shinnied down a downspout, delighting the audience. "Everybody agreed he gave the nicest fire of the season." Headley related proudly. J. Samuel Perlman notes Bold Ruler has one of Nashuas characteristics. Once in front he is impassable as the sentry at Buckingham Palace. . . . Herman Cohen says the "merger" of Pimlico and Luarel would never have been proposed if it had not been felt Bowie would come in. . . . Technically. Iron Maiden was bred Maryland. . . . Preakness doings will be featured on Dave Garroways "Today" telecast this Thursday a. m. at 7:35, 8:35 and 9:45. It is carried by 307 stations from ccast to coast. Bart Sweeney and "Snag" Britloff have invented air conditioning for Bold Rulers stall in barn J, where some of Americas name horses are attended by some of Americas most knowledgeable horsemen. Jimmy Jones men do not even have a foreman. The transom of the Wheatley colts box was equipped with a dual fan arranged in a screen frame. . . . Iron Liege is a music lover. He could hear Ray Heights calls over the P. A. system. Reminded him of competition. So Wendell Griffin made a shelf and put a radio beside his stall. Dozes to the accompaniment of chamber music. . . . Jota Jota had a stall facing the back-stretch when she came here for the Oaks. Spent Tuesday afternoon watching the races. Her grocm cooled her out while allowing her to pick a little grass at sundown.
