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California By Oscar Otis Homebred Cap on Tap for West Coasters Round Table Humbles Will Rogers Rivals Toothless Rulership Is Colt of High Promise HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 31. California-breds provide the feature competition Ratnrriflv with the 18th running of the Golden State Breeders Handicap at a mile and one-sixteenth scheduled for decision. As we mentioned earlier in the week, the future of this Cap as a major stakes is in the balance, for it proves a .weak drawing card, in the future consideration will be given to making it a supporting stakes rather than a so-called "main event." But to the contrary, it may well justify its own existence by producing, from among the light weights, a new contender for open stake honors. Such a prospect is Elobee Farms Noredski, who has emerged from obscurity during the past few weeks to hint that he might be a stakes horse of consequence. "Weve gotten more mail and inquiries on this horse than you might imagine," muses Elobees owner, Bob Burns. "Because of his sire, Russie n., and from his name, some folks have the idea that we imported the horse from the Soviet Union. Actually, as most Californians are aware, Russie II. was an import from Australia, and his owner, David J. Davis, liked everything about him but his name, our relations with Russia being tense as they are." The great days of the Golden State Breeders spanned a period from 1940 through 1953, during which period such as Sweepia, Honeymoon, See-tee-see, On Trust, Your Host, Conversion, Moonrush, and Alis Gem were among its winners. But since 1953, most of the leading Cal.-breds have found it wise to compete in open stakes, and pick up the Breeders only if it fitted into a schedule leading towards something bigger. In other words, the handicap is no longer an end unto itself. Bui if we understandingly cant whip ourselves into a lather of enthusiasm for this particular race, even though it probably will turn out to be a whale of a contest as the weights are so adroitly allotted, we must admit this has been a big week, race-wise. Old Pueblo May Handle Distance The exciting five days started with a momentous victory for Old Pueblo in the Cabrillo Stakes, and while the past four runnings of the Cabrillo, limited to homebreds after the inaugural running in 1953, failed to uncover a really top horse, Old Pueblo may have set the stakes up prestige-wise that will lend it far more importance in the future. Old Pueblo won the five furlongs event in :57 flat, unpressed and as George Taniguchi pleased. This in itself is relatively unimportant, except that Old Pueblo accomplished the score in a most definite manner that indicates he will go on. Many quick horses with a tinge of class can win at five furlongs, and in excellent time, but. when stretched out, they fail. After watching two-year-olds for more than 30 years, we think a reasonable estimate of distance potential can be made in a five-furlong race, said estimate being based on three factors, whether the speed can rate, whether the action is co-ordinated and rhythmical, and whether or not the winner stood a serious drive and repelled it during some stage of the journey. On all three counts, Old Pueblo stood, the test. So, for our money, he will go on as far as asked, and at the moment must be rated, among all 162 named, as the favorite for the 5,000 Starlet Stakes on July 18. Round Table, with. 122 pounds and which included a chilly Rafph Neves in. the stirrups, clinched his role as favorite for the 00,000 Westerner a little later on in the season when he decisively won the mile Will Rogers Stakes before more than 60,000enthusiastic fans Thursday. Round Table, still not racing to the top form which we expect of him, nevertheless managed to round the mile in 1:34, but a second and a fifth slower than the world record of 1:33 Vs held by Swaps. Round Table won his race as if best, even though he did drift out a bit in midstretch, an item which caused Joe Price, who finished second, to alter course. But from then on, Round Table drew clear, while Joe Price could not gain. The farther they would have gone, the farther Round Table would have won. Jack Williamsr pinch hitting for Bill Molter, saddled both Round Table and Joe Price, but the horses did not go to the post as an entry. They were, as the saying goes, "uncoupled" at the discretion of the stewards, inasmuch as different owners were involved. Hertz-Bred Youngster Shows Speed A two-year-old half-brother to Prince John called Rulership added zest to the holiday sport. The youngster, whom John Hertz was forced to retain from the Keeneland sales because he lost most of his teeth in an accident, made his debut in the first race at five furlongs, and engaging in an almost wire-to-wire duel with Lucky Ott, prevailed in a photo. The almost toothless colt is unquestionably a top prospect, and we learn that despite his handicap, he manages to eat a normal diet. On the basis of breeding, and good works, Rulership was installed the favorite in the juvenile dash, and despite racing greenly came back in a nifty :57. "I had a strong offer for this colt as a yearling, even without the teeth," Hertz tells us, "but I couldnt take a chance of selling a horse that might not have been able to have eaten properly, for on grass, he eats like a cow, munching the greenery with his lips rather than a true bite. However, now that he is getting along okay with nourishment, and because of his breeding, looks and trials, he just could turn into a good stakes horse.
