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Theyre Off at Aurora Today a , Illinois Racing Season of 1931 Begins at Fox River Course « Exposition Park Spic and Span in New Color Scheme of Green and White — New Club House Completed — Fifteen Named for Inaugural Handicap — -♦ AURORA, 111., April 30. — King horse and racing, the sport of sports, returns to the state of Illinois Friday for a period of six months when Aurora opens its twenty-day meeting uuder the auspices of the Exposition Park Jockey Club, Incorporated. E. F. Carruthers, who succeeds the late Cliff Trimble as general manager, has the Fox River Valley course resplendent in its new color scheme of green and white. A number of improvements have been made, including a new club house, which was completed 8 Wednesday evening. The racing strip is in better condition than ever before and, with a higher grade of horses to race here, it is certain that a number of new track records will be established. Ideal weather is promised and the management is expecting the largest opening day crowd in the history of the track. Racing secretary Charles F. Henry has arranged an attractive program of seven races, with the Inaugural Handicap as the feature. Fifteen thoroughbreds, some of the best on the grounds," have been named to start and a most interesting contest should result. Among the better known to local racegoers are Celtic Prince and Bob Rogers, which will carry the popular Jones Stock Farm colors, the veteran T. S. Jordan and Tombereau, which are coupled as the S. Pea-bady entry; Scone, Princeton, Gracious Gift and Old Kickapoo. STAFF OF OFFICIALS. The arrival of starter Harry Morrissey and his chief assistant. Eddie Thomas, completed the staff of officials. These include stewards Martin -.athanson and Charles F. Henry; placing judges A. E. Blanchard, C. J. McLennan and F. P. Dunne; racing secretary Charles F. Henry; clerk of the scales F. P. Dunne; patrol judge F. Otis; paddock judge A. E. Blanchard; entry clerks, A. E. Blanchard and C. J. McLennan. The track handicappers are Martin Nathanson and Charles F. Henry. Aurora has drawn its share of good nder3, and among those licensed are: A. Boucher. J. Ballero, H. Berry, J. Bradshaw, D. Cox. A. Cleff, W. Chidzey, A. De Massi, A. Dickey, W. Day, D. Dubois, W. Dubois. A. Fischer. L. Fage, L. Geving, E. Gianelloni. M. Hay-ward, T. Hoover, T. Krick. J. Kellum, J. Ketry, G. Kidd, J. Leyland. D. Lvons, O. Laidley, E. McLaughlin, W. Marlow, C. Nelson, J. Neel, A. Pendergrass, S. Palumbo. J. Redding, A. Richard, H. Roble. T. Swigert. F. Smith, L. Tarmino. B. Tatum, A. Wancha, R. Whittaker. P. Wilhoit and G. Williams. TWO LADD2S DAYS WEEKLY. Ladies Days have always been popular at the Fox River Valley course, and the management announced today that every Monday and Friday, including opening day, the ladies will be the guests of the Exposition Park Jockey Club. Seven races will be run daily, the first race beginning at 2:15 p. m:, daylight saving time. Admission prices will be: grandstand, .70, tax included, boxes and club house extra. Special trains have been arranged for from Chicago over the Burlington, leaving Union Station at 12:25 and 12:55 daily. First stops are Western Ave. and Cicero Ave. On Saturdays and opening day three specials will be run, at 12:25, 12:40 and 1 oclock. The first two will stop at Western and Cicero Avenues. Round trip fare will be .50. Specials will also be run over the C. A. and E. electric line, leaving Quincy Street at 11:05, 12:05, 12:35 and 1:05 every day, connecting with track busses; round trip .50. Auto routes to the track are by Ogden Avenue, Illinois 18 and 20. Roosevelt Road. Illinois 6 and 22. North Avenue, Illinois 5, 61 and 22. All roads are marked. Judge Joseph A. Murphy, of Hawthorne, and John Schank, president of the west side track, will occupy boxes. Murphy ill renew acquaintances with the owners, who just raced for him at Tanforan, while Mr. Schank will get his first glimpse of his Bahr starting gate in action this season.
