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Chicago Downs Officials Listed by Commission Langley to Be General Steward And Van Geison Presiding Judge Officials for the 1951 season at Chicago Downs, which opens June 11 at Sportsmans Park, were announced yesterday by E. J., "Gene" Hayes, chairman of the Illinois Harness Racing Commission. C. J. "Pete" Langley will again act as the general steward. Langley has served as steward at the three Chicago area tracks for the past two years. Milton S. Van Geison will act as the presiding judge. A veteran of harness racing for more than 30 years, Van Geison has served in every capacity in harness racing from driver to racing secretary. Ralph Estes, capable handler of the McDowell starting gate, will again act as the chief starter. The associate judges will be Ed Vogel and James Speaker. Jerry Baier, a veteran of harness wars for the past 10 years, will forsake his whip and cap and act in the capacity of racing secretary for his third year at Chicago Downs. Baier won fame with such classy pacers as John Lee, Sulka Adam and Brave before he took to the other side of the desk. _ Charley Hinkle, the "Clem McCarthy of Harness Racing," will be back at the Cicero half-miler, calling the races. Hinkle first won recognition in the Chicago area when he handled the "mike" in Chicago Downs first season, 1949. Headlining the 54-night session will be two annual stake features, the 6,000 Sportsmans Trot and the 6,000 Sportsmans Pace, each to be decided in one dash. The distance of the two stakes will be one and one-half miles. There will be at least one stake race on each night, with a total of 70 classics scheduled.
