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I — | "-"™a™ Connors Corner *- By Chuck Connors Small Fields the Rule During Jamaica Meet Situation Very Puzzling to Paddock Gang Why Do Horsemen at Belmont Shun Track? JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 15.— Today rounded out the 39th racing day of the Jamaica spring meeting. During this period some 2,500 horses, give or take a I — i few few either either way, way, paraded paraded postward. postward. i few few either either way, way, paraded paraded postward. postward. Many of this total were considered repeaters, that is horses which raced on more than one occasion, and the statistical minded broke down the overall figures into data that can be readily grasped. For example, they cited that on an average, eight horses comprised the starting field in each race each day. This brought out a total of 64 for the afternoon. True some some 14-horse 14-horse fields fields were were in in evi- "-"™a™ some some 14-horse 14-horse fields fields were were in in evi- evidence but also many four- and five-horse fields. What puzzled the boys was the fact that the vast majority of starters were recruited from Jamaica and Aqueduct and that the Belmont Park representation was below the usual average. No official figures relative to the numbers from Belmont Park or Aqueduct were available, although a rough estimate of 50 per day was cited by the stable admittance men. Anyway, the paucity of overnight starters at this meeting has the Paddock Gang nonplussed. Mickey Miles, one of tlie veterans of racing, he is an alumnus of the Father Bill Daly school of equestrianism, over the years insisted that despite the professed popularity of Jamaica, that Belmont Park is the mecca for New York horsemen. The greater number of horses in this area train over that strip, he pointed out, and thus are retained for racing at that oval. Opinion Poll of Little Value It has been suggested that horsemen stabled at Belmont be polled for their objections or reasons for not patronizing Jamaica in a more liberal manner. However, the suggestion was discarded in a hurry. What excuses horsemen would offer, the drafters of the poll were -informed, would not mean a thing and more than not at variance with personal reasons. The problem of vanning over from Belmont Park or Aqueduct is a simple one. The association picks up the tab for that chore, both coming and going, and the only trouble encountered is reaching for a phone. Anyway, Jamaica has 11 more days to run and all hands hope for an improvement, both in quality and quantity for those remaining days, in all types of races. So you are superstitious and dont like number 13? Well if you have any doubts that 13 is also lucky call on Anderson Fowler, owner of the Glenelg Stable, and trainer Bobby Dotter. As far as 13 is concerned to them that number is just manna from heaven. How come? Well, for example, take the three -year-old Assemblyman, a son of Menow and Libba, she by Sir Damion. Now Assemblyman won but three races in his life — one last year and twice this spring — and on what date do you think the triumphs took place? None other than Oct. 13, his graduation effort, and on April 13 and May 13 at Jamaica this spring. What more do you want? Mr. and Mrs. John C. Clark, he was former president of Hialeah and has a draft of horses in training, will leave for Europe this week end for a prolonged vacation. . . . Vernon Cardy, of Montreal, was a clubhouse visitor during the afternoon. George OConnor Sulley, known to the racing clans as "Slim," is a patient at the Mid-Town hospital, 309 East 49th Street, a victim of pneumonia. He was admitted to the institution recently and placed in an oxygen tent for some time. However, his condition is reported as improved and the medics say that he will be in circulation during the Belmont Park meeting Trainer Tommy Bell reported that Runfast, who was* injured in a collision with Hidi Mike at Belmont Park several weeks ago, is improving steadily and will be placed back in training. Hidi Mike was ordered destroyed by the veterinarians. The colt came up with a paralyzed leg and nerve trouble and it was decided that his racing days were ended. Hidi Mike was owned by Jake Silverman, of Long Islands South Shore. Impromptu Arrives for Wilson Sprint Impromptu, owned by the Brookfield Stable, was an arrival from Maryland for Saturdays six furlongs Wilson Handicap. . . . Johnny Stevens, a former rider but now an exercise boy at Aqueduct, fell from a lead pony. He was admitted to Physicians hospital, Jackson Heights, where X-rays will be taken to determine the extent of his injuries. . . . Charles McAdam, the advertising man not the Flamingo winner, was a clubhouse visitor yesterday. He recently was an arrival from Miami. . . . Jules Schwartz will leave for Pimlico Thursday to lend moral encouragement to his starter, Nah Hiss, in the Preakness. . . . Trainer Yorkie McLeod took over the Murcain-Byars Stable horses. He will preside until the dispersal sale is staged in June. . . . Le Beau Prince, a better than average campaigner last year under the silks of the Cockfield Stable, was placed back in training by Tommy Waller. The colt was wintered at the farm. . . . Trainer Hirsch Jacobs vanned in.from Maryland the horses Searching, Joe Jones, Jack Albert, Wesley Smiley and an unnamed two-year-old. They will reinforce the local division.
