It's Post Time

In today's races: I like Little Playmate, sitting there at a cool 7-2, in the 12th at Raynham (Post Time, 1:15 p.m.)for starters. The lady grey has the outside post position, but it says here that she gets out quickly and holds on in the stretch. Down it Belmont(also 1:15), I've got feelings for Fair Rosalind in the fifth (with fading thoughts about Timely Writer in the eighth--the $500,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Rosalind is packing a hefty 122 pounds, but as dark horse or dark lady, she's a good but to be the best.

And if it's raining steadily as you emerge from your entryway door, don't forget Big Red in the featured race at Soldiers Field (Post Time, 1:30), Big Red, you see, is a mudder. His specialty is to get down and dirty and go ankle deep and head to head and all of that other running-in-the-rain rigmarole.'

Big Red jockey Bob Blackman, who has been called better things than dirty, but not often, is no stick in the mud, either. Though he's winless in three starts on Big Red so far this season, he knows he's got the horses (Harmon, Menapace and Miller) to win anytime out of the gate, providing Big Red doesn't come up with a burn leg (which forced him to bow out in the second half of last week's race) Blackman may also be in trouble if the air is clear and the skies are not cloudy per se.

Big Red's opposite number come post time, Mr. Multifles, would probably be more than happy to play under such conditions, however, Mr. Multiflex likes things high and dry, likes to close fast in the stretch as he did last week (only to get nipped at the wire), likes to fly rather than burrow. Mr. Multiflex used to be a mudder. Used to be able to run through hell and high muck. Used to be. But not anymore.

Cowboy Joe Restic, in the Crimson and white silks, loosened the reigns on Mr. Multiflex twice this year, and on each occasion the victory margin was substantial (11 and 17 lengths to be exact). Last week, however, Mr. Multiflex was running time well into the clubhouse turn, and only a late whip pulled out a show for Cowboy Joe.

Today, Cowboy Joe will be hoping that he doesn't need the whip at all, that Mr. Multiflex flows from start to finish, that Big Red stumbles out of the blocks and never really recovers, still dragging that foreleg. And that it isn't raining. 'Cause if Big Red comes out steppin' high with nostrils flarin, and the weather is downright early, Mr. Multiflex may be sucking wind before they're too far into the backstretch. And you may be tearing up your tickets and flipping the stubs at the teller in the $2 window.

'Cause Mr. Multiflex is no mudder. And if you don't believe me, as Abbott and Costello would say, go ask your fodder.

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And now to the predictions:

HARVARD 35, CORNELL 17--Through wind and rain and mud and squall. Crimson QB Don Allard will deliver the ball. Keep your eye on the Cornell tailback spot. If Derrick Harmon is back there, slashing his way into the Harvard secondary the game could be a whole lot closer.

PRINCETON 35, COLUMBIA 17--Last week, Penn's Gary Vura dismantled the Columbia secondary. This week it will be Princeton's Brent Woods. I wonder if Lion quarterback John Witkwski, who may have the best arm of them all, ever dreams about throwing against his own defensive unit. Sweet dreams, Johnny boy. But only nightmares for the Lions.

PENN 35, BROWN 17--I predicated that Penn would be good this year. I know the Quakers would be in the running for the Ivy title. I laughed in Playboy's face when that magazine picked the Philadelphians as the third worst college football team in the country. I am such a liar.

YALE 35, BOSTON UNIVERSITY 17--The Elis have been confused. They thought they had remained in Division I-A, among their football peers. They thought their first three games were merely spring-practice scrimmages, now allowed in Division I-A New Haven. They are no longer confused. May the Ivy League beware.

WILLIAM & MARY 35, DARTMOUTH 17--Another game, another score. And another loss for the Big Green.

Last week--4-2. Season to date--10-8..556. At this disgraceful rate. I may as welf be picking apples.