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Connors Corner Controversial Widener Chute Missing From Belmont Scene By "CHUCK" CONNORS BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 11. — This vast racing ground presented a changed appearance to the regulars today. Gone was the wide and commodious Widener course, that bisected the centerfield from a start, some three-quarters of a mile up near Plainfield Avenue. This street, part of Elmonts highway system, is the eastern boundary* of this racing ground. Track superintendent John Golden estimated enough grass seed was sown to cover the old racing strip as would be needed to- start all the new lawns in a large city housing development. The Widener course was built at the behest of the late, Joseph E. Widener, who was led to believe that the old straightaway, an extension of the homestretch eastward to the same Plainfield Avenue, would be more colorful. His opinion, in recent years was not shared by a number of handicappers and others and as a result the Widener course went out the window. However, owners and trainers voiced opinions as to the abandoning of the Widener course and of late their expressions have been louder and more pronounced when a limit of 10 starters was placed on two-year-old fields in 5-furlong dashes. Straight course racing on New York tracks was for generations part of the scene. Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Morris Park all boasted of courses for juveniles. The two-year-old straightaway at Aqueduct was eliminated In 1940, when the track was cut down in size to provide much needed parking facilities. Abandoned After Two Races The pear-shaped Jamaica course also had a chute for two-year-olds but it was short lived. The far turn was extended out" a couple of furlongs, but the turn into the home stretch was flat and sharp and as a result horses instead of negotiating the turn came within a few feet of jumping into the old betting ring. Two races for two-year-olds were contested over the course and that was all. Alfred G. Vanderbilt, in his tenure as head of Belmont Park, built a course for two-year-olds with a chute similar to that at Jamaica. An extension of the far turn out for a quarter of a mile. Again that old bugaboo, too sharp a turn, brought that juvenile course into disrepute with everyone and a return to the Widener course was the answer. Jockey Laverne Fator holds the distinction of winning the last Futurity run over the old straightaway when he guided W. R. Coes Pompey to victory. The next fall he rode Scapa Flow, owned by Walter M. Jeffords, down the new Widener course to a clever score. Belmont Park on opening day, saw the elimination of the Widener course, but the new full grass turf course was in use. With the exception of the turf course and the infield lake, and the "tote" board the center field today presented a replica of opening day, 1905. One of the facts little known to racing men, is that Belmont Park was completely finished and could have been opened a year earlier than it did. Transfer Horses From Belmont to Jamaica G. H. "Pete" Bostwick, who recently arrived from winter quarters, Aiken, S. C, reports he has a half dozen flat horses in his care and an equal number of hurdles and steeplechasers. Bostwick broke his foot while playing polo, his last game of the season, in Buenos Aires — early in the year, but is now okay. He disclosed Argentina in producing more polo players than any other country in the world. Says the reason for this situation is the number of extensive cattle ranches and horse farms and the popularity of horses and polo with the younger generation. Over the week end, 62 horses were transferred from Belmont Park to Jamaica. Those included in the transfer were horses owned or trained by B. Felds, E. Bolden, C. Ross, A. Allen, F. Hooper, Otto Rasch, H. Grafella, J. Lipari, D. H. Carroll, Joe Williams, H. "Baldy" Tinker, F. Falcone and W. G. Williams ... I. J. Collins planed in from Ohio for Saturdays program, then decided to remain for the opening of Belmont Park. He plans to be at Pimlico Saturday for the Preakness. Joseph P. Kennedy, former U. S. ambassador to the Court of St. James was a week-end Visitor . . . Max Gluck, also of the ambassaborial set and owner of Elmendorf , was present . . . Eddie Burke, the Miamian, was present. He has a draft of horses with Allan Jerkens . . . Mrs. Dodge Sloane reports she will remain here until Thursday or Friday before leaving for Pimlico to root for her Sword Dancer in the Preakness. The three-year-old will remain at Pimlico until Tuesday, then van back here. Trainer Elliott Burch reports Oligarchy is back from Pimclico. The Brookmeade color-bearers, Bold Effort and Oligarchy "placed in their respective engagements . . . Jimmy Smith showed up this morning and reports he expects to take over some horses to train next week . . . Pinuhta, owned by Mrs. Jules Schwartz, foaled a filly Saturday at The Grass Farms, The Plains, Va. The youngster is by Dulat, and, according to latest reports, Mrs. Schwartz is still jittery over the announcement of the arrival. Mrs. Leo J- Edwards, wife of the former Florida Racing commissioner and part owner of King Hairan, passed away at her Miami home last Friday. Funeral services and interment was this morning. Her death was a shock to her many friends in racing. She is survived by her husband and three daughters, twins Joy and Gay, and Virginia. Jamaica on Saturday was the mecca of several New Zealanders who were guests of Mr. and -Mrs. Edward C. Robbins of Oyster Bay, L. I. Among the visitors were Mr. and Mrs. William Mackie, he is secretary of the Ellerslie race course at Auckland, Mr. and Mrs. W. Fisher, who maintain and Kentucky Stud Farm, where El Khobai is standing in the land, and Dr. McGregor Grant, well known Auckland surgeon and president of Auckland Racing Club.
