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REFLECTIONS By Nelson Dunstan Citation Will Make History Win or Lose Deal for Alibhai Finally Closed Mrs Al Snider Extends Thanks to All Delaware to Take Over Chase Sport SportNEW NEW YORK N Y June 11 11Tomorrows Tomorrows eightieth running of the Belmont Stakes will go down in history as one of the most colorful renewals regard ¬ less of whether Citation wins or loses If the Calumet cham ¬ pion meets aeieai at tne neeis or or some other starter it will be an upset to take ranking with the victory of Upset over Man o War and that of Jim Dandy over Gallant Fox On the other hand should Ci ¬ tation be returned the winner the Belmont Stakes of 1948 will be remembered as the race which produced the eighth winner of the American Triple Crown and also the first in which a jockey was credited with piloting two winners of the Triple Crown races The record department would not end there however for Citation would be the first horse in racing annals to amass over 500000 in earnings in just 20 starts To date Citation has earned an even 467000 and using last years figure of 78900 as approximately the possible winnings for the Calumet horse should he win the Belmont it will bring him to approximately 545900 to place him very close to Whirlaway who is now in fourth position with 561161 We realize that we are counting the chickens before they are hatched but as we said above a defeat would be just about the biggest upset since the days of Hickory Jim JimIn In this column yesterday we stated that two syn ¬ dicates were bidding for the stallion Alibhai the sensa ¬ tional young horse who is1 now standing at the Ferris Calif farm of Louis B Mayer The deal has finally been completed with the bid of 500000 from the Kentucky and eastern syndicate which from the start has been repre ¬ sented by Leslie Combs II master of Spendthrift Farm and former chairman of the Kentucky State Racing Com ¬ mission Although the names of all members of the syndicate will not be made known until Combs arrives in California next week it is our understanding that the two wellknown Californians Harry M Warner and George Brent the movie star are partners with the Ken ¬ tucky and eastern group This is the highest price that lias ever been paid anywhere in the world for a stallion Foaled in 1938 Alibhai is a chestnut horse by the great English stallion Hyperion out of Teresina by Tracery His first foals were twoyearolds in 1944 and to date he has been represented in racing by such horses as The Dude Style Prince Cover Up and On Trust winner of the Santa Anita Derby and many others othersMrs Mrs Dorothy Snider widow of the Calumet Farm jockey who lost his life during a storm off the Florida coast asks us to print the following letter which she sent to us It reads During the days when they were searching for my husband and his companions many people of the turf were constantly in touch with me and not only did they help to keep my hopes alive but also brought solace to me and my little daughter in those trying hours Later many people helped in a material way and while I would like to write and thank every one of them personally the trouble is Mr Dunstan that I do not know the names and addresses of many who were very kind and who showed the spirit of generosity so noted in those of the turf I thought the best way to reach everyone would be through your column and if you will permit me may I extend my thanks and my deep ap ¬ preciation to all of those who stood so loyally by Al and thus by me All I can say is Thanks everybody Sincerely Dorothy May Snider SniderWhen When Adaptable was the surprise winner of the Meadow Brook Steeplechase Handicap yesterday he brought to a close the stake events for jumpers at the Belmont meeting On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week the United Hunts will stage their twoday meeting at Belmont Park and from all indications they will con ¬ tinue the fine sport which the throughthefield perform ¬ ers have given to racing fans so far this season The New York Turf Writers Cup will be the feature event at the United Hunts on Tuesday and on Wednesday the 15000 Temple Gwathmey at about two and a half miles will be the top race of the meeting Miss Ella Wideners Adaptable is an eligible for this race along with War Battle Elkridge Fleettown Lieut Well Canford and other top jumpers From the United Hunts the steeplechasing fraternity will go down o Delaware Park for following the Tom Roby Steeplechase Stakes at the Wilmington course on Tuesday there will be four others stake events for hurdlers and steeplechasers before the meeting comes to a close on July 5 Practically every wellknown jumper in the East is eligible for these races which will add color to the flat racing at the lovely course outside of WilmingtonJohn Wilmington John B Campbell in assigning his weights for the Roseben Handicap has acclaimed William Helis Rippey the best sprinter In the older division The New York racing secretary caused ome surprise when he assigned Rippey 135 pounds for the Roseben which at six furlongs will be the last stake event on the Belmont card Two years ago Campbell assigned Polynesian Irho was then p fouryearold 126 pounds in the Roseben and toting that weight the Elmendorf sprinter defeated Flood Town and Pavot Last year Inroc with 113 pounds was the winner over Fighting Frank and Brown Mogul Now for 1948 Camp ¬ bell asks Rippey to tote 135 with Buzfuz his nearest rival carrying 122 Should Rippey answer the bugle and win he will be entitled to recognition as the champion sprinter of the land to succeed Potynesian The Roseben field is not one to write home about but on the list are many who due to their weight assignments could give Rippey a stiff argument The Doge who was a pretty good sprinter last year is in with 114 pounds the same weight that was assigned to King Dorsett and Mangohick
