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gB HnssS Rat iM BK"1 jHP5 Isandt POWERFUL DERBY COMBINATION— Late Col. E. R. Bradley left and H. J. Dick Thompson, owner and trainer, respectively, of four winners of the Kentucky classic. Tom Young Is Responsible for Spic And Span Condition of Downs Plant Special Care Given Racing 1 Strip; Has Been Employed At Churchill for 36 Years CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 6. — Should you be a visitor at this historic and spacious racing grounds and come across a stubby gentleman earnestly bent on checking grandstand and clubhouse seating, taking an inspection glimpse at the beautiful flower beds and shrubs, or walking out on the course to get a better look at the footing, that will be Tom Young, general superintendent at Churchill Downs for the past 36 years. Apparently ageless and tireless, the Downs executive sets a pace that might be a trifle hot for some of the younger men in the vast organization, necessary to stage the spring and autumn meetings and the annual Kentucky Derby day festivities. Young and his genial assistant, Clifford Burke, not only are responsible for the condition of the plant and track but they also see that turfmen have suitable stabling space for the thoroughbreds that put on the show. Their job is a year round task and immediately after the Kentucky Derby renewals are over plans are made for the next big Derby day. Methodical and an expert organizer, Young has handled bands, policing arrangements, backstretch area and other supervisional tasks in a manner which has stamped him as one of the tops in his profession. Youngs multiple duties include the di- : , ► rection of a 22 -man crew, that worked at top speed to bring the track into its best possible condition for the Diamond Jubilee Derby running. Discussing the strip, Young pointed out that the track must be graded every day, barring rain. A grader is used for this operation in order thai, waves be ironed out and a two foot grade, except on the turns, set up. The grade at the turns is three and one -half feet. The track must be harrowed to keep the cushion in such shape that thoroughbreds will not be jarred when running over the course. One of the more important tasks assigned to the track crew is that of keeping the footing watered properly. The sprinkling keeps down dust and just the right amount of water is used in order that the course will retain the correct spring necessary to good racing. Every second season, Young superintends the laying of a new top dressing of sandy loam, for which the soils of the cushion are expertly mixed. The result of these operations on the track have given Churchill Downs one of the best and safest courses in the country.
