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EDDY TAKES CHARGE AT AURORA President and General Manager Arrives at Fox Valley Track to Oversee Installation of Camera and Other Improvements Opening Near AURORA, HI., April 12. Robert S. Eddy, Jr., president and general manager of the Fox Valley Jockey Club, took personal charge of the improvements at the Aurora track yesterday. With opening date for the long Illinois season less than three weeks off, Mr. Eddy closed shop on a successful New Orleans meeting and stopped off to arrange details for the reopening of Fairmount Park in Collinsville before arriving here. Aurora again starts the thoroughbred activity for Illinois with a nineteen-day meeting opening May 1 Sand climaxed by the 2,000 added Illinois Derby Saturday, May 22. With the arrival of Mr. Eddy, work on a lofty tower atop the stewards stand at the finish line was begun. This structure, erected right at the rail, will house the new camera which will be called upon to decide the close races during the meeting. It will look down at the horses from a sharp angle, thus providing the best possible view of each finish. Track superintendent Placide Frigerio, the expert on racing surfaces, was able to show Mr. Eddy that the Aurora track needs little more work to be at top shape for the horses. As usual, many tons of top soil have been added and worked into the track to form a soft cushion for the horses while not detracting any from their speed. The Aurora track is one of the fastest in Illinois, as track marks of 1:04 for five and a half furlongs and 1:49 for a mile and an eighth will testify. BUSY SCENES. The unloading platform continues to be one of the busiest places at the track this week as many more horse pullmans arrive with thoroughbreds from the south and west. Racing secretary Dick Leigh is assigning the stalls to the many horsemen who plan to race throughout the nineteen days, attracted by the 25,000 prize money to be distributed. "The purse money to be given away this spring by the Fox Valley Jockey Club is the greatest since we took over the track," declared Mr. Eddy. "Annually, without exception, we have raised our total distribution, but this years increase Is the biggest of all. Not only will the 2,000 Derby attract the best three-year-olds, but the ,500 handicaps and the numerous ,000 handicaps will keep the better performers in action. The response from the owners and trainers is most encouraging."
