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Judges Stand I — By Charles Hatton 1 Continuing Interest Seen in 3-Y-O Stakes Intersectional Rivalry Evolves on Derby Royal Orbit Making Friends in Free State PIMLICO, Baltimore, Md., May-13.— The ultimate rank of the seasons three-year-olds is one of the imponderables. At least the sport up to now has only vexed the form rather than resolving it. Pimliconians may think us rather irreverent but we have a notion the three-year-old picture will remain inscrutable as a jigsaw puzzle until the last segment drops into place in the fall. Probably a point system will have to be employed to designate the champion at years end. Mark you we are not "viewing with alarm." On the contrary. The fact there is no standout is reas suring to many clubs, who are investing enormous sums in three-year-old events. These races box-office is not contingent upon the appearance of an individual performer. And this makes for a continuing interest, with the possibility more may be developed, as the seasons sport unfolds. In our view the Wests jaunty Tomy Lee, who races for Fred Turner Jr., is the pro-tem leader of the three-year-olds. With him in absentia the Easts diminutive Sword Dancer becomes the one-to-beat for Saturdays 83rd running of the proud .old Preakness. Heightening the intersectional rivalry that has evolved on the Kentucky Derbys result is the* appearance here of the Wests Royal Orbit. He may leave the Hollywood races to Tomy Lee and that exceptional filly Silver Spoon and carry on to Belmont after the week ends 50,000, most generously endowed of all stakes. Prep Winner Attracts Following Behind those three-year-olds just mentioned are First Landing, Manassa Mauler and some others scarcely worth mentioning, since they seem to have everything it takes to be* utterly commonplace. Royal Orbit is invading enemy territory here, but made many friends in Mondays Prep. Or so we were assured by the taxi driver who brought us out here. A renowned gastronome Mrs. Braunsteins colt takes his training well and this morning was all bright-eyed and bushy tailed when seen in barn J. His disposition is in his favor. Bob Sloan may be selling him short in his early line, even though two who were in his star-crossed path at Louisville, Sword Dancer and First Landing, are in the field. Turf ana: Citations come and Assaults go, but a quadruped called "Shorty," for short because he is so tall, will perform for the 21st time here Preakness Day. He is a black horse belonging to one of Baltimores mounties, who will take part in the traditional grand march down the stretch preceding the sport, then retire to the innerfield to quell riots among the record crowd of 10,000 expected to see this Preakness from behind a snow fence in 80 degrees, shirt sleeves and excitement. Shorty is the result of a singular series of mesalliances, including one known thoroughbred, and nature equipped him splendidly for his role with a glistening ebony coat. Capt. Keyes of Baltimores finest says of their mounts: "They are the greatest implement for crowd control, and I would say one horse is worth 50 foot police in controlling crowds such as you will have on Preakness Day." All Men Free, Equal on Turf Reader demurs we should credit Marie Antoinette rather than DuBarry for French racing, and wants to debit both with a hand in fomenting the Revolution. They dieted rigorously on cake and some envious tax payers noticed this and set out to make all the French free and equal and happy, beginning by decapitating as many of them as possible. But history has proved Marie was on the right track. For it now is axiomatic "All men are free and equal on the turf." Even the Russian Dolmotov said so, moved by six of Stevenses vodkas, which are very moving indeed. ... If youth is served Manassa Mauler will win the Preakness. Francesco "Pancho" Martin, 33, is youngest of the trainers who will saddle an entrant Saturday. And he says of the races lone supplemental candidate: "My colt will have no excuse to run bad. He is ready." Jack Dempsey may see his namesake perform. Whatever else is said of Royal Orbits flaming red colors, which make Willie Harmatz look like he just rushed out of a burning building, they are the only ones calling for a white stock tie. We had thought this fastidious taste went out with Tod Sloan. . . . Mrs. Halina Braunsteins colt is very versatile, in fact amphibious, for he can swim, too, and sometimes does on a beach near Frisco. . . . Actually barn J here has no more built-in amenities than any other MJC stable, but the attendants of the Preakness eligibles assembled there brought along so many accoutrements it resembles a luxury hotel for horses. Scribes refer to it as the Pimlico Hilton. . . . Speed is Marauders forte. There is a cynicism he will not get the Preakness route with a pulmotor. The going here this spring seems safer than speed conducive, as you might guess from Royal Orbits 1:44%, which was nevertheless the best time of the meeting on the main course. We say "seems" because Sammy Boulmetis is of a different opinion, considering it rather cuppy, a condition that defeats all but the stoutest horses. . . . The Pimlico Merchants have discovered racings value as an agent for redistributing the wealth. This was learned in England years ago. Continued on Page Sixteen JUDGES STAND By CHARLES HATTON 1 Continued from Page Five Until it was invented, there was a Poor Law which made it criminal for poor people to have no visibje means of support. Under this law ragues and vagabonds were . given X numbers of lashes. In those days it was very easy to tell rogues and vaga-! bonds from other people. . . . The Ripper Bill petitioners are confident of the 5,000 signature required to stymie Gov. Tawes in his reorganization of the racing commission by June 1. . . . The 2,500 Manas- sa Mauler has earned 8,605 but trainer Martin says that had he known Jack Amiel at the time he would never have claimed a horse from him. I
