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THOMAS HOLLYWOOD STARTER Former Rider Now a Leading Official in California Section. Broke in as Harry Morrisseys Assistant and Remained With Him for Over Sixteen Years. INGLEWOOD, Calif., May 30— Edward Thomas will be in the starters box during the initial thirty-three-day summer meeting of the Hollywood Turf Club in this garden spot beginning June 10. Edmond G. Soule, presiding steward, officials of the club and the racing board, agreed on a competent official when they picked Thomas to do the starting for the scheduled 264 races. He knows his business backwards, so to speak, and commands respect from the jockeys at the gate. In fewer words, he knows what its all about. • Thomas is acknowledged to be the best starter in California since the halcyon days of Harry Morrissey, Dick Dwyer and Jake Holtman. ONCE A JOCKEY. He first saw the light of day at Rockland fifty-three years ago. He stands five feet eleven inches tall, and has a physique the envy of most of our best athletes. Originally a newsboy, Ed followed the fortunes of the turf at an early age. He became a jockey, and although he did not set the world afire with his riding, Thomas won many important races. He became assistant to Harry Morrissey and stayed with him sixteen years. Thomas work attracted a great deal of attention, and in time his services were sought the country over. He officiated at western Canadian tracks, Aurora, Dade Park, Detroit, Seattle five years, Tanforan, Bay Meadows and Santa Anita. He was Morrisseys assistant the day the former started the famous Man o War-Sir Barton match race at Kenilworth Park, Windsor, Canada. Thomas says the toughest post actors he has encountered were Head Play, Display, Boniface and King Saxon. Jogging through his memory he recalls that the finest horses he ever handled were Exterminator, Discovery and Seabiscuit.
