They're Off at the Rock

Excitement is rather thin this year in the horse racing world. There are no handicap stars to speak of since the retirement of Dr. Fager last fall. The two year old ranks have produced to juvenile of outstanding speed.

Earlier the three year old colts had promised an exciting season. The undefeated Drone went lame on the eve of the Florida Derby. The undefeated Viceregal went lame during a Derby prep in Kentucky. Top Knight was victimized by sore hooves and is turned out to pasture. After Majestic Prince proved to everyone's satisfaction that he could not go a mile and a half, he went sore and ad to be fired.

Arts and Letters became the three year old champion by default, not a very thrilling proposition. This chestnut son of Ribot is an honest and willing horse who does not step on is pedigree going a distance, but he does not as yet have any great box office as he as yet to do anything amazing against the clock.

The situation among the three year old fillies is quite different. Four are outstanding, but two--Ta Wee and Process Sot--have proved they cannot sprint farther than a mile. A Delaware Park sometime in the late afternoon the two remaining contenders for the tree year, old filly crown will settle the score over nine furlongs. They are Mrs. Whitney Stone's Shuvee and King Ranch's Gallant Bloom.

Gallant Bloom, last year's two year old filly champion, remains undefeated this year after last week's twelve length victory. Ridden by the insuperable Jon L. Rotz, se will be capably handled. Shuvee will be directed by Jesse Davidson, the 1965 national riding champion, who has rated this filly brilliantly in all her 1969 starts. She dropped a head decision in a sprint to Ta Wee in her first start this year, but has since remained undefeated. The outcome? Watch it tomorrow on the telly. There are other horses in the race, and Jim Dandy won the Travers at 100-1, but an upset is unlikely.

Follow route 93 north to Rockingham Park. Here are the selection for the ten races.

FIRST--BROOKLINE must win to pay for his oats.

SECOND--BACK AT LAST should get second win of the year.

THIRD--PRINCE OF SAMROCK should treat the Irish well.

FOURTH--GUN HAPPY should shoot up this bunch.

FIFTH--WEBB'S SURPRIZE was pulled in last race.

SIXTH--LAST CURTAIN should come off the pace to catch the speed horses at the wire.

SEVENTH--BOBBY DORENE shows more class than these cheapies.

EIGHTH--LOVE BOY should kiss these nags goodbye.

NINTH--ATAFU HAS BREEDING TO GO A DISTANCE.

TENTH--SAVANALAMAR gets one more chance to carry his speed over a mile.