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PETER J. ODONNELL ►— ■ ODonnell s Rise to Lincoln. Managerial Post Prophetic Crete Plant Architect Was * Dads Close Friend; Came Up From Newspaper Ranks By TEDDY COX WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, 111., June 8. — Peter Joseph ODonnell, general manager of the Lincoln Fields Racing Association, now conducting a 30-day meeting at this course, was seemingly marked for that position some 44 years ago when he was born at Louisville, Ky. His father was a close friend of the famous architect, Peter Joseph Murphy, and named his son for the man who later planned the Lincoln Fields plant at Crete, 111. Petes present role, however, took a long time in materializing, for until the late Edward J. Fleming appointed him G. M., when the property was purchased from Col. Matt J. Winns American Turf Association, he con fined his activities to newspaper work, intermittently as a turf reporter and mainly as a sports department executive. "Pete Murphy did most of Colonel Winns architectural work," ODonnell explains. "In 1926, when Lincoln Fields was built, he worked out the plans and there never was a race track better constructed in America. He used to tell dad that Id wind up running one of the race tracks he designed, but, of .course, we never thought then there could be any truth in his remarks." Last year, when Fleming actively directed the Lincoln Fields organization for the first time, Pete served as his right bower. Upon the recent death of the Chicago coal merchant, ODonnell was placed in complete charge, and he now is fully responsible to the board of directors for the Lincoln Fields operation. Combs Crowd for Ideas Although he is busy with the affairs of the current meeting, ODonnell is looking forward to the day when the organization will return to its own Crete plant, and daily he picks up ideas that will be incorporated when that occurs. During the running of the races, he is the most difficult man .at the track to locate at a minutes notice, although he keeps in constant contact with key departments. Usually, his secretary will tell you, "Youll find him somewhere in the grandstand." "Thats the place to get the feel of your patrons reactions," the tall, bespeckled former scrivener reports. "The grandstand patron is most critical and when something is wrong hes the first to voice disapproval. Ive picked up many ideas from them and hope to have many more before we go into operation at Crete." In 1948, ODonnell made a tour of the West Coast, New Orleans and Florida to study track operation, and the handling of crowds and horsemen. Ample Parking Space Planned "One of the conclusions Ive arrived at is that most patrons prefer to come to the track by automobile. Many have been prompted to remain away because of inadequate parking space and. bottlenecks in getting in and out of the tracks by automobile. "When we open at Lincoln Fields, were planning to have parking space for 17,000 to 20,000 automobiles, and when the new Calumet Parkway is completed the track will, in point of time, be the most accessible of any course in the Chicago area." Calumet Parkway is a new super-highway that begins in Chicago at 130th Street South and leads directly to Lincoln Fields. It avoids all small towns and actually makes a junction at the track parking lot. Work was started on the project several years ago, but presently is behind schedule. When it will be completed cannot be determined at this time. ODonnell hopes it will be ready by next spring. Took to Racing Naturally Like numerous other successful newspaper men, ODonnell began his career as a member of the Fourth Estate while attending high school, serving as a special correspondent for the old Louisville Herald. Upon graduation and after college, he became a regular on the staff and his initial turf assignment was to cover the start of the Kentucky Derby of 1924. That was Black Golds year and William A. Hamilton, who now serves as steward representing the Illinois Racing Board, sent the field away. Pete says it was only natural that he would become interested in turf reporting for on the Herald staff was Jack Dempsey, a well-known chart caller who later was employed by Daily Racing Form; Charlie Bergen and Vernon "Screw" Sanders, also known as "Gimmie-a-Match;" and others. Leaving the Louisville Herald, ODonnell came to Chicago some thirteen years ago and joined the staff of the Herald-Examiner. When the Chicago Sun, headed by the former turf patron, Marshall Field, came into being he aided Warren Brown in forming a sports staff. It was while serving as turf editor of that newspaper that he met Fleming. The coal magnate offered him the general managership of Lincoln Fields. Shortly thereafter ODonnell accepted the position and began his career as a track executive.
