view raw text
| s y. , DICKERSON FAIRHOUNT AND I FAIR GROUNDS STARTER j *■ 4 * COLLINSVTLLE, 111., April 27.— Fairmount Park and Fair Grounds officials announced today the appointment of Roy "Boots" Dick-erson as starter at the local track and also at the New Orleans course. Dickerson "will be in the stand at the spring session here from May 6 to June 10, and also the fall meeting from September 2 to October 14, then will move south to do the starting at the Fair Grounds, which will open on Thanksgiving Day. The well-known official has had a long and varied career in racing. He made his debut a quarter of a century ago as an exercise boy for his father, became an owner and trainer and assistant starter, and finally blossomed out as a full-fledged starter at Arlington Park, Chicago. He was signed to a five-year contract by the big Chicago track, and when that contract expired signed another for the same number of years. Dickerson has acted as starter at Detroit, Santa Anita, the Fair Grounds, Tanforan and Arlington Downs. He has unlimited patience, one of the most essential virtues in starting horses, plus, of ! course, knowledge of racing and of horses.
