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OMAHA MINIMUM SET AT 00 Two Feature Events Weekly Will Carry ,000 Purses Catering to Better Grade Horses. OMAHA, Neb., April 7. A preliminary draft of the 1937 Ak-Sar-Ben conditions book reveals a ,000 increase in purse money this year, according to announcement today by W. H. Schellberg, racing committee chairman. Last year Ak-Sar-Ben distributed 30,000 in purse money and the committee has set a minimum of 35,000 for the May 27 to July 5 meeting, with a distinct likelihood that this will be increased. No individual purse will be less than 00, chairman Schellberg announced, except In the races for Nebraska-bred horses. The same handicap system in use last year will be repeated, with two stake event3 weekly, carrying purses of ,000. Catering to a better class of horses Indicated by the heavy entry list of thoroughbreds, Schellberg declared that all claiming races of six furlongs or less will be restricted to horses entered at a claiming price of ,000 or more. No races over six furlongs will be included for horses named at les3 than an 00 claiming price. The elevation In the claiming figure for both sprint and route events has. the full approval of Julius Reeder, Ak-Sar-Bens new racing secretary. "Our conditions book will include no races for platers of less than 00," Schellberg said. "Only exception will come from Nebraska-foaled horses." It was also announced today that Benjamin Holmes, Miami, Fla., has been engaged as assistant racing secretary, placing judge and entry judge. Mr. Holmes was racing secretary at the 1936 Suffolk Downs meeting and for thirty years has been associated with American racing plants. He formerly served as assistant racing secretary and handicapper at the Narragansett Park track.
