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OReilly . ■ By Tom OReilly i Breakfast at Hirsch Cottage Is Demoralizing Herman Levin Misses Cashing Double by Nose Producer of My Fair Lady in Owners Ranks JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 8. — Dont tell Jake Grumets state investigation commission, because" I might get King Ranch in trouble, but I had breakfast over at Max Hirschs Belmont cottage the other morning and "Vergies" cooking would make a gum-shoe lay his spy-glass down. Bacon, crisp as a district attorneys questions, served with wheatcakes, airy as a satisfied free-loaders plea of innocence. It was all mighty demoralizing and, buddy, do I like to be jle-moralized! Several weeks ago, duty dictated that I visit Mr. Hirschs cozy cottage and I fool ishly ate breakfast in town before going out there. While speaking to the eminent King Ranch trainer, Vergie came in to inquire if I cared for some breakfast. I could have committed hari-kari. Vergies breakfasts are famous. When I refused, Mr. Hirsch seemed a bit miffed, too. When Virgie asked a second time, he remarked, "Im not used to begging people to accept my food." This time I was prepared. As a matter of fact, if Vergie had not asked me to have breakfast, I probably would have keeled over from starvation, since I had been dreaming about it most of the night. The meal was served in the tastefully decorated dining room that contains silver platters awarded to such winners as the Triple Crown horse — Assault, the Derby victor, Middleground; "Horse of the « Year" High Gun and never-to-be-forgotten Sarazen. The colorful curtains feature a Derby montage and the wallpaper, selected by Mrs. Tad Legere, shows the racing colors of famous stables. Black Hills Fit for Preakness Over my third wheatcake, Mr. Hirsch reported that Black Hills had departed for Baltimore and the Preakness in first class condition. Beyond that he didnt "care to speculate. "I think he is a good horse," he said. "Whether he can run with those Derby, horses no one will know until after the Baltimore race." Over at Jamaica, I paid scant attention to the first race only to discover that N had the first two horses been reversed, Herman Levin, producer of "My Fair Lady," would have been richer by nearly ,000. Herman had 20 Double tickets on Marion Frankels Threep, in the /first race and Parkfair Farms Phi Flash in the second. Threep ran second, beaten a nose, while Phi Flash took it all under a smart ride, by Eddie Decker. - "Oh well," smiled Levin, "I cant complain. Ive got a nice sideline going for me in New York." Levin doesnt give listeners much time to laugh over this gag, however, because he hastens to add that he is a dedicated theatrical man and "My Fair Lady" far from being a sideline is a very great part of his life. "This bit out here is the sideline," he laughs. "I just race for fun." Levin, incidentally, constitutes one-fourth of the Parkfair Farms stable that owns Phi Flash. This is a one-horse stable. Two weeks ago their prize steed, Jesper, was claimed by Phi Bieber for ,500. They got back in business last week by claiming Phi Flash from .Ben Kahlbaum for ,000. Levins partners are Joe Gerla and Gerard Ostreicher, realtors, and Monroe Mayer, a retired garment manufacturer. The stable is called the Parkfair because Gerla and Ostreicher have one of the -East Sides better known office buildings at 430 Park Avenue, between 55th and 56th streets. The ground floor houses among other things the Mercedes-Benz sport car agency and Wadley and Smythe, the florists. The "fair" part of the stable name comes, of course, from Mr. Levins Broadway charade. Patrons Credentials Come in Handy "The biggest kick I get out of owning a horse is that you get a badge to go with it," laughed Levin "and you also get a sticker for your car, so that you can go into Belmont Park the back way. Thats the short, quick way to get in and out of Belmont Park." Phi Flash is the first horse William "Graddy" Williams, of Kentucky, ever handled for the Parkfair crew. "They seem like a nice bunch," he said, "although Ive never set eyes on Levin. He doesnt come around." "Gerla knows more about horses than I do," said Levin, when asked about this, "so I dont bother with stable details at all. I just come out and play. Love it, too." Asked how the stable arrived at its colors— black and gold— he replied, laughingly "I was in favor of all * black with a yellow streak down the back but I dont imagine The Jockey Club would go for that. Gerla picked the colors, too." Did Levin have a theatrical tip? Anything good going in the Broadway stakes? "Well, I had hoped to star Fernandel in a funny French musical," he replied, "but he just doesnt speak enough English. Besides he says he couldnt possibly stay away from his Gay Paris more than one month at a time. He left for "France this morning." Curtain tuiie!
