At Jamaica

"Spotting the winner" is quite as difficult as trying to keep track of a single piece of colored glass in a turning kaleidoscope. The past week's racing at Jamaica, L.I., was interesting from three points of view: 1) the performances at Jamaica; 2) the line-up in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, Md.,--intermediate stage between Jamaica and the Kentucky Derby to be run on May 17; 3) the line-up for the $50,000 stakes at the Kentucky Derby.

Zev beaten. In the Paumonok Handicap with Zev (most popular American gee-gee since he beat Britain's Papyrus last year) a hot favorite, George D. Widener's St. James covered the six furlongs in 1 min. 11 2/3 sec. (the fastest time ever run in the race), winning from Zev by four lengths.

Sarazen beaten. A second surprise came when Bracedale beat Sarazen by a length and a quarter in the Lynbrook Handicap. The immediate effect was to lengthen the price of Sarazen who has been the Winter-book favorite for the Kentucky Derby. The result of the race was a blow to all. Sarazen started 1-3 on, while the odds at post-time against Bracedale were 7-1. It was considered possible that St. James will now supplant Sarazen as the Kentucky Derby choice.

Zev's "come-back." Zev, however, was not down and out. Up he bobbed, an easy winner from his stablemate Mad Play in the Kings County Handicap. Both horses were from the Rancocas Stable and both put up a fine performance. Mad Play, however, attracted most of the attention and horsemen considered him by all odds worthy to match hoofs with St. James, Wise Counsellor, Sarazen and the others at Pimlico.