POINT OF FACT
? The Washington D.C. International had its first running in 1952. What country has had the most winning horses?
•The U.S. won four times with three different horses: Fisherman (1954), Mahan (1957) and Bald Eagle (1959 and 1960). France has had two winners: Worden II (1953) and Master Boing (1956). England, with Wilwyn (1952), Venezuela, with El Chama (1955), and Australia, with Sailor's Guide (1958), have each had one winner.
? Have any horses represented more than one country?
•Yes, Mahan represented France in the 1955 International, when he was owned by the late R.B. Strassburger, and finished 10th in a field of 13. He was later bought by Mr. and Mrs. Allie Reuben and won the 1957 renewal for the U.S. As if to emphasize the international spirit of the race, Mahan was bred in England.
? What jockey has had the most mounts in the International?
•Eddie Arcaro. He rode in six Internationals (1952, '54, '55, '56, '58 and '59). In four of the races he was on U.S. horses and won with one of them (Fisherman). Two other American jockeys, Johnny Long-den and Bill Hartack, have ridden in three races, as has Nikolai Nasibov, a Russian.
? How many countries have been represented and what are they?
•Fifteen—Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Sweden, U.S.S.R., U.S., Venezuela and West Germany.
? What trainers have conditioned horses for the most races?
•Adrian von Borcke of Germany has come to Laurel four times (1952, '55, "57 and '58). The best he could do was fourth in 1952 and 1957. Two trainers have been represented in three races: Yevgeni Gottlieb of Russia, and W.C. Stephens of the U.S. Stephens is also the only man to have trained the winner of two races—Bald Eagle.
? Has a filly ever won the International?
•No. Banassa, owned by J. Decrion of France, was second to Fisherman in 1954, the best a filly has done.
? What concessions does the Laurel race make to the foreign horses?
•There are two. It is the only flat race in the U.S. at a major track that doesn't start from an American starting gate. Instead, as a concession to the foreign horses, it begins with a walk-up start from a Newmarket Starting Tape. The second advantage to foreign horses is that the race is run on the turf. This is not unusual now, but in 1952, when the race was established, there were only 12 other stakes on the turf in the U.S.
? How have the favorites done in the nine runnings of the International?
•Last year's race was the first one that the favorite won—Bald Eagle. A foreign horse has gone off the favorite only two times: the French mare Banassa in 1954 (finished second) and Ireland's Ballymoss in 1958 (finished third).
? What jockey holds the best record in the International?
•Manuel Ycaza, who is the only jockey to win twice (with Bald Eagle).
? About how much does if cost a foreign owner to start his horse in the International?
•Nothing. All shipping and boarding expenses are paid by Laurel, and since the race is an invitational, there are no entry fees. The cost to Laurel is about $5,000 per foreign horse.
ILLUSTRATION