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WASHINGTON PARK IS READY ♦ Racing Shifts to Great Homewood Plant Next Monday. ♦ American Derby on June 20 Outstanding Feature of Thirty-Day Meeting — Great Race Assured. ♦ The metropolitan racing season in Chicago will open at Washington Park Monday, May 25. During thirty days there will be attractions justifying the growing confidence and popularity now existing in Chicagos turf army. This is the promise of judge C. W. Hay, general manager of the track. The expansion of Chicago racing, establishment here of monster plants, progress-iveness of officials and co-operation of owners is a glowing example of accomplishment. Col. M. J. Winn, president of Washington Park Jockey Club, has joined judge Hay, following the Kentucky Derby, for a united effort to boost Chicagos 1931 bid for the citys supremacy in all that relates to the thoroughbred. Two objectives are uppermost in the minds of these promoters: The upbuilding of turf affairs in Chicago and Illinois and the development of the American Derby, which will have its twenty-third renewal on Saturday, June 20. They say there will be no shading of the sentiment attaching to the Kentucky Derby, but there is a well formed plan to duplicate its glamour. The American Derby does not suffer by comparison. Its history is glorious, dating frcm 1884, when Modesty was its winner under the guidance of that master of all riders, Isaac Murphy. Brilliant horses came flying first across the finish line through the 90s and until 1904, when Highball and Grover Fuller added the final chapter. Up went the American Derby curtain in 1926. In that year came the new Washington Park, marking the revival period. Inspired by determination and equipped financially. Colonel Winn and his associates entered upon the task of rehabilitation in every nook and corner of the Chicago turf structure. Continued on thirteenth page. WASHINGTON PARK IS READY Continued from first page. If the magic touch is needed, Colonel Winn will bestow it. In his opinion, not a detail will be missing for a perfect performance. Before he took time to light a cigar after his arrival from Churchill Downs, he reminded judge Hay to communicate with the Illinois Central Railroad officials relative to Washington Park transportation facilities. Imagine his surprise to learn that the schedule had been completed. Never before, the Colonel said, had this feature been adjusted so far in advance. It pleased him to the point of saying: "Washhington Park is fortunate in its location, which enables electrified trains to speed from Randolph Street to the course in slightly less than thirty minutes. This the public appreciates. Our track, so easy to reach, has everything to popularize it. Those who support racing may expect a really great season at Washington Park. I think the American Deiby will be wonderful. If the weather is right we ought to attract a crowd close to 60,000."
