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Leigh Voices Optimism Over Omaha Prospects Looks for Best Meeting Ever At Popular Ak-Sar-Ben Track OMAHA, Neb., May 12.— Back in town and radiating optimism over the 1942 outlook for the Omaha meeting is R. A. "Dick" Leigh, returning to serve his third year as secretary and presiding steward at Ak-Sar-Ben, which opens the current season here two weeks from next Tuesday, May 26. Leigh, who in two previous seasons as racing czar of Ak-Sar-Ben has won his way into the hearts of fans and owners like through his fairness and keen knowledge of horses, pulls no punches in sizing up the forthcoming meet. "After looking over the horses already at the track and the field of those for whom we have already made reservations. I dont see how we can help but stage the greatest six weeks of racing this section of the country has ever seen," he declared. With the arrival of the "head man," activities at the field are expected to take on more interest. Leigh will soon open his official headquarters at the track to commence the enormous task of registering the more than 800 horses expected for the 1942 meeting. Close to 300 are already on the grounds, he found. After inspecting the track today, Leigh expressed the opinion that work done there since last fall will provide ample insurance against difficulties encountered during the two-week spell of rain at the start of the 1941 season. Leigh will shortly be joined by other officials of the 1942 meeting, among them John Maluvius, assistant secretary and steward, and Harvey Foster, placing judge and director of special information.
