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r I i I . j ] ] , | i ] i | i ] 1 1 1 I J t 1 i ] I Portion of Pimlico Fall Dates Sought by Laurel Abandon Plans for Meet at Own Track — Havre Also Files Request BALTIMORE, Md., June 18.— Goss L. Stryker, president of the Maryland State j Fair, Inc., operators of Laurel Park race i trade, today announced that the manage- I ment of that plant has formally requested of the Maryland Racing Commission that | it be granted part of the 30 days racing al- lowed this fall at Pimlico. The action by Laurel means the aban- donment of a fall meeting at its own track, It was felt that if present travel restrictions prevail in the fall, it would be unwise to attempt a session under adverse conditions and in the face of possible governmental criticism. Laurel is located practically half way between Baltimore and Washington, D. C, removed about 20 miles from each city. With a pleasure driving ban in effect at that time, the only means of reaching the | track would be either by train or bus. Both modes of transportation are heavily taxed. 1 Now that Laurel has petitioned for con- sideration to stage a meeting at Pimlico, the Maryland racing situation again has be- come a confusing problem. Besides Pirn- lico, which, naturally, is expected to hold its I fall session at its own plant, and Laurel, which would like to move in, the commis- sion also has on hand a request by Havre de Grace for permission to offer its meeting at the Belvedere Avenue course. In as much as there remains but 30 days racing allowed by law at Pimlico. with at Continued on Page Thirty-Two j Portion of Pimlico Fall Dates Sought by Laurel Abandon Plans for Meet at Own Track — Havre Also Files Request Continued from Page One least 13 days belonging to the Maryland Jockey Club, it is hard to say what developments will take place. To date the only other major track in the state that has not asked for a part of the allotted spell at Pimlico is Bowie. That association was not inclined toward utilizing Pimlicos plant when the same situation existed last winter. The Bowie managements chief objection was the ,000 daily tax paid Baltimore County by the Maryland Jockey Club. As yet the commission has made no announcement on what action it will take to straighten out fall racing. In some quarters it is held that possibly Pimlico and Laurel will split the 30 days between themselves. This opinion is actuated by the array of stake offerings presented in the fall at Pimlico and Laurel, particularly so in regards to the latter track. Such features as the richly endowed Selima Stakes, the Richard Johnson and the Maryland Futurity besides a few imposing added money handicaps infer that the case for Laurel is a strong one. , On the other hand it is quite possible that the commission may divide the 30-day period evenly between Pimlico, Laurel and Havre de Grace. Or, for that matter, it may be that the Maryland Jockey Club will wind up with the entire 30-day period.
