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Arlington Places New Emphasis on Grass Sport Offer Two 0#000 Stakes, Richest of Any in America The opening of Arlington Park on June 18, to begin the coordinated Arlington-Washington Park racing season, will see new emphasis placed on grass racing headed by the 0,000 Stars and -Stripes Handicap, and the 0,000 Meadowland Handicap. These stakes are the richest grass races in America, and are second only to the Ascot Gold Cup England as the richest grass handicaps in the world. The expanded program, with the high interest it has aroused in horsemen and public alike, seems likely to spearhead a rise in grass racing on a national scale at many of the leading tracks around the country. Interest among horsemen in Arlington-Washington grass racing has never been higher, with races planned for two-year-olds, a series of sprints, and distance events up to 2% miles, in addition to the two rich handicaps. Because foreign horses run on the grass, with their few excursions on American dirt tracks not too successful, international racing on a national scale comes into being. Such a program, with sufficient stakes of good value, would make an American campaign by foreign horses more feasible, par- j ticularly with present air transportation simplifying the travel problem. Benjamin F. Lindheimer, Arlington-Washington, executive director comments: "I believe that within 10 years, grass racing will take its place with regular racing as a daily feature at many of our tracks. . "Racing on the grass has stimulated a new field of racing endeavor, it is easier on the horses, prolongs their racing life, and is a natural footing for them to run upon." From a purse business standpoint, grass racing has long .since proven its merit at Arlington and Washington Parks. It is extremely popular with the public, evidenced both by public opinion polls taken at the tracks, and by the substantial mutuel play these races receive. Arlingtons grass stake, the 0,000 added Stars and Stripes Handicap, closes on June 23 for its July 4th running. The 0,000 added Meadowland Handicap at Washington Park will be run on August 25, and closes to nominations on August 11.
