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Ak-Sar-Ben Is Ready For Opening Tomorrow Sixty-Five Reinsmen Already Registered for 32-Day Meet OMAHA, Nebr., May 21. — J. J. Isaacson, general manager of the Ak-Sar-Ben race course, expressed complete satisfaction with the quality as well as the quantity of thoroughbreds, presently on the grounds and who will be campaigned throughout the 1949 Omaha season scheduled to get under way on Tuesday. The Ak-Sar-Ben Inaugural Handicap, which will highlight the opening day program, is assured a capacity field of the best sprinters ever to appear under colors in the ,500 event. Although entries for the feature do not close until the morning before the race, racing secretary Raleigh Leigh indicated a full field undoubtedly would parade postward. Schooling exercises under the supervision of starter Noel Chilcutt and his staff are being conducted daily and will be held every morning from 7:30 to 9:30 throughout the-32-day session. The majority of the promising juveniles quartered here have had their introduction to the starting barrier and will be ready to appear under colors at the first asking. The Ak-Sar-Ben jockeys colony has been increasing daily and some 65 reinsmen of note have already registered with custodian of the jockeys quarters, Paul Jlbener. As in the past, the local management will provide without cost to riders the insurance for jockeys on the approved list, covering acci dent or injuries sustained in the pursuit of their duties at the track during the meeting. Meantime, Ralph E. Boomer, secretary of the Nebraska State Racing Commission, has been busy issuing licenses to local owners, trainers, riders, exercise boys, grooms and other personnel under the jurisdiction of the commission. Boomer, who also serves as the steward representing the commission during the meeting and as presiding steward throughout the remainder of the Nebraska circuit, arrived several days ago from his home in Lincoln and immediately set up his office in the administration building which also houses the secretarys office. Presiding steward Richard A. Leigh arrived on the scene several weeks ago following a brief vacation in Hot Springs and has assigned stall space to the numerous incoming units from most every sector. In addition to the ,000 George Brandeis Memorial Handicap, which will spotlight the Ak-Sar-Ben season, a total of 12 other overnight handicaps carrying the endowment of ,500 will also be presented throughout the fashionable meeting.
