Connors Corner: Latest Twist Among Superstitious Point to Belmont Program Picture Cause Jinx to Cover Page Horse, Daily Racing Form, 1954-05-26

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. — I Connors Corner • By "CHUCK" CONNORS Latest Twist Among Superstitious Point to Belmont Program Picture Cause Jinx to Cover Page Horse BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. I., N. Y., May 25. — Some members of the paddock gang came up with a new twist in the propagation propagation of of super- . propagation propagation of of super- superstition this morning. The boys who carry amulets, good luck pieces, rabbits feet and what have you to ward off those offending gremlins, discovered a new menace the front page of the daily program. This page is adorned with the picture of a horse, Belmont mont Parks Parks contribu- contribu- mont Parks Parks contribu- contribu- — tion to rekindle memory, of the Belmont winner of the year before. The fall meeting programs carry the picture of the Futurity winner of the preceding year. The boys have decided that this picture is a jinx and one so honored is bound to run into trouble as a three- or four-year-old. The practice was instituted about six years ago and the boys quickly pointed out that Native Dancer is the latest to succumb to the jinx. The Vanderbilt colt, as you know, came up with a foot hickey yesterday morning and this misfortune threw the tub thumping department for a big loss and in a way threw a blanket over the impending Suburban down for decision on Mondays celebration of Memorial Day. This day is an important one in racing and as a rule brings" out the largest crowd of the year, not only here but to other tracks in the nation. In addition to Native Dancer the boys pointed to One Count, owned by Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, and said that this fellow came under the evil eye of some whammy dispenser. One Count is on the shelf and has been for some time, and his return to the racing1 wars is not to be in the immediate future. Counterpoint, from the C. V. Whitney barn, and King Ranchs Middleground suffered injuries as three-year-olds, while Capot, from Greentree, waited until his four-year-old form. Calumet Farms Citation was first to have his picture on the front page and well everyone knows that this fellow went amiss, underwent firing, lost a flock of decisions to Noor, but wound up as the top winning: horse of all time. Well, the boys, or so they say, will petition Belmont Park to do away with the front page or if not print the picture of a good looking blonde. Trainer Bobby Dotter reported that the next engagement for Commonwealth will be in the Christiana Stakes at Delaware. He is not eligible for the colt division of the National Stallion here. Dotter also brought forth a rare coincidence regarding his colt when he pointed out that he made his first start and won his first race on his birthday. He was foaled on May 22 at Hamilton Farm in New Jersey. . . . John Hay Whitney was an interested stable visitor yesterday and witnessed several sets of his horses undergo training trials. . . . Jockey Johnny Adams came on from Chicago, and breezed Queen Hopeful, owned by the Hasty House Farm, for her weekend engagement, the Coaching Club American Oaks. Adams will ride the miss in that engagement. . . . Patsy Torinos Nobility, a son of Supremus and Delicacy, broke a leg while galloping at Aqueduct this morning, and was later destroyed. Miss Dorothy Cole, secretary to Sam H. McCormick of Hialeah, was a visitor yesterday. She is here on her vacation and reported that McCormick had spent several weeks in Hot Springs, Ark., this spring and returned to his post in perfect condition. . . . Trainer George M. Odom will ship Queen Nasra to Garden State for a stake engagement. The Gil-roy youngster will be ridden by jockey Charlie OBrien. . . . John S. Phipps, who has several horses with Max Hirsch, was among the early morning visitors yesterday. I. J. Collins returned from a visit to Garden State, witnessed a few races and then planed put to Columbus, Ohio, on business matters. . . . Mr. and Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon of Philadelphia came over to witness the -hurdle event in which they were represented by Malieson. . . . Trainer Morris Dixon, after supervising the trial of Lord Willin, owned by Arthur Godfrey, said that the youngster would more likely make his racing debut on Thursday providing that the track is fast . Trainer Monte Parke reported that Double Speed, owned by Mrs. John D. Hertz, Tiad been placed back in training yesterday following a lengthy layoff. . . The halter brigade returned to activity yesterday when Continued qh Pagt Forty-Stye* s. Connors Corner By C. J. CONNORS Continued from Page Four six horses changed hands via the claiming route. . . . Mrs. Edward S. Moore, mistress of Circle M Farm, came on from Lexington, Ky., for a few days visit. She will leave for Delaware following the running of the Coaching Club American Oaks. Joe W. Brown, the New Orleanian, was on hand yesterday and will stay for some time. He reported that 22 foals are at Jack Howards Lexington, Ky., farm and that they arc on the whole good looking specimens. . . . Trainer Buddy Raines stated that jockey Jim Nichols will handle Rain, owned by the Brandywine Stable, in the CCA Oaks on Saturday. . . . Next Tuesday the Business Mens Garden Club of Long Island will give the flora and fauna at Belmont Park the once-over. Head gardener Bill Grant will display the flowers, shrubs and the inner workings of the greenhouse to the tourists and, more than likely, pass on a few •hints as to how to grow those giant geraniums that border the walk leading from the paddock to the track. A. G. Vanderbilt plans to return from Florida tomorrow. He spent several days there on business, matters anent large tracts of land that he acquired last year. . . . Jockey Hank Moreno has been busy galloping horses the past few days and will return to riding chores on Thursday. He will be astride Cherokee Rose for Cain Hoy Stable in the Oaks on Saturday. . . . Frank C. Rand of Santa Fe, N. M., joined the clubhouse regulars for an extensive stay. . . . Bill Knapp saddled his first starter of the meeting when he sent Air Bunny postward in the fifth race for Louise Hilton.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954052601/drf1954052601_4_2
Local Identifier: drf1954052601_4_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800