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Check Reveals 550 Head Now On Grounds at River Downs RIVER DOWNS, California, Ohio, May 20. With the arrival of Carl Burns today from Louisville, the official staff for the approaching 43 -day meeting at River Downs, scheduled to begin Saturday, is completed. Burns will serve at the local meeting as a patrol judge. It marks his first visit to this plant in an official capacity. According to John L. Watkins, who is clerk of scales and has charge of stall allotments at River Downs, the latest check of thoroughbred tenants at the local oval shows a total of 550 head on hand. It is expected that the stabling area, which can accommodate 800, will be filled to capacity before opening day on Saturday. Clifford "Tack" Trimpe who will officiate as timer and identifier during the meeting, stated that the racing strip is an excellent condition for the session. He explained today that rye was sown into the trip last fall and allowed to grow through the cold months. The vegetation was then cut and thoroughly worked into the strip this spring, producing a firm, but springy, surface. Trimpe also noted that the racing strip has dried out considerably quicker this spring than in previous years as a result of the treatment.
