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SHEWBR1DCE MADE SECRETARY Baltimore Sportsman Confirmed by-West Virginia Racing Commission. Selection of Other Officials to Be Made Known Within Short Time— Wheeli-g Downs Proves Popular. WHEELING, W. Va., April 26.— William M. Shewbridge of Baltimore was confirmed by the state racing commission as racing secretary for the spring meeting at Wheeling .Downs, according to announcement made yesterday by Edward J. Brennan, managing director. The return of Shewbridge, plus the promising stables due to be shipped here for the first 1939 meeting, which begins Saturday, May 27, appears to be the making of a perfect combination to provide the best racing the island track has ever produced. Shewbridge is already established here as a successful racing secretary, for it was his attractive condition book that gave the turf fans eleven days of great sport last fall. His work was an instant hit with both owners and fans. He turned out well-filled cards because the conditions were the best ever offered here and thus gave the public keen sport. Shewbridge stepped in to keep the Wheeling Downs sport progressing along the high plane it took upon revival in the fall of 1937 under the new West Virginia Jockey Club. The large reservation list for stall space is an indication of the good word passed along by horsemen over the country after the final meeting of 1938. Shewbridge will not arrive here until about a week before the start of the sixteen-day session. He is now preparing the condition book and expects to have it in the hands of horsemen by the end of the month. It will be distributed over Maryland circuits, to Kentuckians, throughout Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia to the horsemen, the vanguard of whom will begin arriving here from May 1 on. The appointment of Shewbridge, who has been assistant racing secretary at Bowie, Pimlico and other Maryland tracks, will be greeted with considerable enthusiasm by horsemen intending to ship here. Managing director Brennan is nationally known for his fine handicapping, and Shewbridge is reflecting the teachings of his chief. The selection of other officials for the Downs meeting will be revealed within the next two weeks, upon approval of the state turf solons.
