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J ; : J i I ! j | I | I ■ I j ; I j ! • I I I 1 j | I j | j I , ! I OMAHA CONDITION BOOKS OUT t Majority of Purses Carry 00 — I One 00 Purse Daily. » Association Spreads Money Instead of Concentrating It in Stake Races — Opening May 28. OMAHA, Neb., May 4.— The condition book for the first nine days of Ak-Sar-Bens thirty-three day meeting, just off the press, reveals that a majority of the purses will carry 00, with only one 00 purse each day and that for Nebraska-foaled thoroughbreds. The distribution of the 38,000 in purse money is well divided, with no race carrying prize money of more than ,000, and many events having 00 and 00 rewards. Chairman W. H. Schellberg of the Ak-Sar-j Ben racing committee, said the committee felt it wiser to apportion the purse money among many races, rather than bunch it for individual events. "Boosting the daily average rather than scheduling several ,500 or ,000 stake races gives more horsemen a chance at the purse money, he said. "It is our purpose to rebuild the racing game at Ak-Sar-Ben, and we believe the way to do it is to offer such purses as will attract a greater num-I ber of stables." With opening day scheduled May 28, more than 250 thoroughbreds are already under roof. Six cars have come from the Arling-l ton Downs meeting, with six more due this week. Few of the California horses have arrived yet, but more than 200 are to come here, according to the stable reservations. The popular mile races will be held again this year. Impossible last year because of lack of a runway to haul the ponderous Bahr starting gate from the track, a special run-I way is now being built in front of the judges stand. The conditions book shows the sprinters will hog the spotlight during the first nine days, with from two to three longer races on the daily cards. Seven races daily except Saturday, when eight races will be staged have been set. Early handicaps scheduled include the Ak-Sar-Ben Queen Plate, May 30, a six furlongs dash for a ,000 purse, and the Governors Handicap June 6, another ,000 event at a mile and 70 yards. J. C. Marlman, Covington, Ky., who served as patrol judge last year, has been re-engaged, while A. E. Hefferman San Francisco, also was appointed as patrol judge.
