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ROCKiNGHAM PARK INAUGURAL New England Racing Scene Changes From Pawtucket to Salem Course. Twenty Named to Start in the Speed Handicap, Big Attraction of Opening Program, Singing Wood Top" Weight. " ? f SALEM, N. H., May 23. Last minute preparations neared completion today as i Rockingham Park prepared for its 1936 bow next Monday with the opening of the eigh-tteen-day spring meeting of the New Hampshire Jockey Club. Under its new controlling group, headed by James J. Bush, president Thomas H. McKey, Jr., vice-president, and Col. C. E. Fauntleroy, treasurer and business manager, the club look3 forward to the greatest season in history at. the Salem course. Present indications are that their hopes are well founded in view of the daily arrivals of horses from all parts of the country. By train and van the thoroughbreds representing many notable stables of the nation are .completing the jump to Americas friendliest race track. Lou Smith, retained as general manager by the new controlling combine, is a popular New England choice for the post, being recognized as the pioneer in the revival of the thoroughbred sport in this section. Governors Day opens the eighteen-day meeting Monday, with Gov. H. Styles Bridges, of New Hampshire, the guest of president James I. Bush and directors of the New Hampshire Jockey Club. During the session seven stakes will be decided with the first down for decision on inaugural day. This is the Speed Handicap, at five and a half furlongs, and a top-heavy field of twenty has accepted for the event. It is for three-year-olds and over, and carries an added value of ,500. Several of the fastest sprinters that have shown their wares in this part of the country are in the field. Singing Wood, with 128 pounds, heads the list. Sailor Beware, the four horse Vanderbilt entry of Sobriety, Dreel, Bachelor Dinner and Speed to Spare; Lady Higloss and New Deal should all come in for support. There are plenty of others which appear to hold a chance of getting home on the front end of the procession in the race. Happy Knot was an impressive winner at Narragansett the other day. Shes moving way up and is an exceptionally fit horse right now. Candy Prince has been working well; Bay Bubble is ready and a light weight, and Go Quick goes into the race highly recommended by recent trials. Wednesday is a half holiday in this section. On that day Rockingham is offering a ,000 added mile three-year-old special the New Hampshire Handicap. The nomination list indicates that an excellent field will start. The racing on May 30 will be headlined by the Decoration Day Handicap. On the following Wednesday sprinters again will be afforded an opportunity in the New England States Handicap at three-quarters, and the handicap brigade will appear in the ,500 Granite State Handicap three days later. The latter race is a mile and a sixteenth test. Juveniles receive their first important trial on June 10 in the five furlongs Juvenile Handicap. The final stake of the meeting is the most important of the season from a monetary standpoint. It is the Rockingham Park Handicap for three-year-olds and over and has 0,000 in added money. The race will be staged at a mile and an eighth. The stake program is a well balanced one, giving all divisions a chance at the big money. The plant was in entire readiness for the opening this afternoon and on the eve of the inaugural officials were highly optimistic over the outlook for the season. Given a break in weather, figures for the crowd and betting should run high.
