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Set 3:45 Week-Day Post Time at Detroit Track Saturday and Holiday Programs Will Get Under Way at 2:00 P. M. By DON FAIR Staff Correspondent DETROIT, Mich., May 21.— Michigans 1951 racing season is to get under way at the ,000,000Michigan Racing Association course on Friday and the Livonia plant will operate for 56 days, concluding- its meeting on July 28. President E. E. Dale Shaffer, executive vice-president George Haggarty, and general manager Robert G. Leavitt are looking forward to a splendidy-season the second year at their track. They recently announced that post time daily, excepting Saturdays and holidays, is set for 3:45 p. m. The Saturday and holiday programs will begin promptly at 2:00 p. m., according to present plans. The correctly-appointed plant, which is located at Schoolcraft and Middlebelt Roads in Livonia, is one of the finest in the Midwest and in the nation and has been constructed with emphasis on "spectator comfort." The huge stand and combined clubhouse is the last word in mod-era building and the track proper is con-; ; sidered one of the best and safest now " in operation. Considerable work has been done at the ■ MRA course; landscaping, which was hampered last year, Que to building operations and inclement weather conditions, is well L on the way to completion and the plant should present a pleasant sight when t "boots and saddles" sounds next Friday. The s parking lots also have been improved and I the stabling area underwent a thorough 1 renovation. The Anniversary Handicap, at six furlongs ■ for three-year-olds and older~, is the inaugural day feature and the sprint is to close for entries on Wednesday. The , opening-day headliner carries a purse of f ,500 and a good field undoubtedly will . parade postward in the dash. Weights for the Anniversary are to be posted by handi-capper Charles J. McLennan on Thursday;. Along with the Anniversary, several [ other better - than - average events are scheduled for decision opening day. Two-year-olds are to clash in the four and one-half furlongs opener, while three-year-olds and older will meet in the six-furlong third and fourth, also the one mile sixth offering. Four-year-olds and up are slated to contest the six furlongs second, the mile and 70 yards seventh and the mile and a sixteenth "nightcap." Two-year-olds are to occupy the spotlight on the initial Saturday bill, May 26. . The Copper Country Purse, four and one-half furlongs for juveniles of both sexes, should develop into a top attraction inasmuch as that age division is well represented in the local thoroughbred colony. The Detroit Purse, six furlongs for three-year-olds, is the chief supporting number on the initial half-holiday card of the 1951 MRA season.
