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Ak-Sar-Ben Racing Strip Reported in Top Shape Many of 400 Horses on Grounds Have Turned In Good Workouts OMAHA, Neb., May 8.— The Nebraska major racing season will get under way here Tuesday, May 27, when the local civic organization, Ak-Sar-Ben, inaugurates its 30-day spring meeting at its popular Center Street track. The session, which promises to be one of the best in the history of the Cornhusker States thoroughbred sport, will conclude on Saturday, July 5, and, of course, there will be no racing on Sundays or Mondays. J. J. Isaacson, activities director for Ak-Sar-Ben, and general superintendent James E. Ronin, are presently engaged in directing last-minute preparations for the opening Ronin, who is one of the nations top men in. the handling of a racing strip, recently announced that the track is in excellent shape and that some of the 400 horses already quartered here have turned in fast trials. Richard A. Leigh, presiding steward and racing secretary of Ak-Sar-Ben, is on the grounds with several key members of his staff and registrations thus far have been most gratifying. With purse distribution this year starting at an 00 minimum, a better class of horses converged on the Omaha track after the close of the winter meetings at Hot Springs and New Orleans. Several smaller establishments, formerly in winter quarters, came to Ak-Sar-Ben early in order to be ready for the May 27 opening-day program. The first book of conditions for Ak-Sar-Ben was recently released by racing secretary Leigh and many of the traditional features, decided annually at the Nebraska oval, again are listed for decision during the 1947 season. The Ak-Sar-Ben Inaugural Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for three-year-olds and upward, is the headliner on the initial card and it will close for entries on Saturday, May 24, with weights announced on Monday, May 26. The Inaugural Handicap carries a ,000 purse value. On Friday, May 30, the ,500 Memorial Day Handicap is to headline the holiday bill and three-year-olds and upward are eligible for the one mile and 70 yards test. Entries for that fixture close on Wednesday, May 28, and secretary and handicapper Leigh stated that he expects a good field of middle-distance performers to parade postward in the race, first major route event of the local spring session. Other attractions on the Ak-Sar-Ben agenda are His Majestys Council Handicap, at six furlongs for three-year-olds and upward and worth ,500; the ,500 Ak-Sar-Ben Handicap at a like distance for horses from similar age divisions and the ,500 Board of Governors Handicap, one mile and one-sixteenth.
