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JUDGES STAND *y charus hatton WATERFORD PARK, Chester, W. Va., June 7. — Al Boyle has incorporated most of the more modern flourishes in the architecture of this mountain valley park, which has been under construction since 1936. There is an enclosed octagonal paddock with a mezz for the spectators, a very swish Turf Club which is Boyle s pride and joy, the decor of the clubhouse dining room is in the best taste, many of the mutuel lines are of glass brick, the track rails are of the safe gooseneck variety, the lawn has an incline of 17 feet, and theres a tunnel from the trackside to the jockeys room. Water-ford is said to have been a ,500,000 project. The stand is of steel and concrete, seats 8,000 with provision for a mezzanine, should Boyle decide to construct one in some future season. The Turf Club is to have a restricted membership, and many civic and business leaders of Pittsburgh and Youngstown have become interested in it. Waterfords patrons are served by special buses, or motor out to the course. There is a railroad line of a sort, and there was some thought of Ohio fiver excursions from Pittsburgh, but a tedious series of eight locks discouraged the notion. Having built a track in the mode modern, Boyle appointed some of the most able men available in the key positions. Stewards are R. Norman Charlton and Myron Davis, with Andrew Winters representing the W. Va. commission. Fred Burton is racing secretary and is assisted by Greg Johnson. E. H. Tuckwiller is mutuels manager, Harold Holland starter, Burton, Carlyle Johnson and G. H. Stalker placing judges. Burton, incidentally, is to serve in the stand at Randall Park this summer. It is understood that Bill Hamilton will act as state steward at this meet during the conflict with Charles Town, which will take "Snooks" Winters there on June 23. .AAA Steel and ceramics are the principal industries in the Ohio river cities and towns upon which Waterford Park draws for patronage. Both are thriving at the moment. Waterford Boasts Many Modern Features Handle Reflects Increasing Interest Racing Surface More Safe Than Fast Sport Has Enhanced Agricultural Wealth Baseball fans predominate in the area, though Waterford hopes to alter that, as the first race track of any consequence in the upper reaches of the Ohio. Sports here sometimes assume some odd forms. For example, Waterford last week-end found itself in the unique position of conflicting with a river boat race between a sidewheeler and a sternwheeler that had the public lining the banks for miles. Though many Waterford patrons have not readily grasped the procedure of placing a wager, and per capita play is low, they have early learned about passes, despite the reduction in general admissions to 60 cents. Waterford is a bit like Keeneland in that it doesnt now have a fence about the property and crowds of the curious watch the races from the backstretch. It is hoped that in due course some of them will become sufficiently interested to see the races from the "tote" side. The play has increased slowly but steadily, and Boyle is, optimistic it will continue to show gains. AAA Waterfords racing surface is rather more safe than speed conducive. King Chicos*mile and 70 yards in 1:42% in the Chester Handicap was a new track record, Romary Anns six furlongs in 1:11"% was the fastest to this point in the meeting. King Chico, who races for Mrs. R. W. Woulfin, performed well at Garden State and is expected to be a factor in others of the handicap features. Another shifty prospect is Hocotia, who was second to Bob Considine in the Endurance, is a half-brother of Lovelock and races for Wilmer "Doc" Ensor, whos 72 and is also his breeder and trainer. Possibly the best known of the local performers is Lawless Miss, "Queen of the Halfers." She is owned by G. Y. Booker of Abington, Va., and has won countless races in her long career. Boyle wisely built the mile racing surface first, when work on this park was begun years ago, so that it would have ample time to settle. Few are ever satisfactory until they have undergone a freeze and thaw. The stretch here is three-sixteenths, with chutes for starting mile and a quarter and six-furlong events, and the turns have an easy radius, so that it is possible to construct a turf course if Boyle chooses. AAA West Virginias "take" is one of 12 per cent, of which the state receives 3, and in 1950 Wheeling Downs and Charles Town contributed 56,559 in revenue. This marked a slight decrease from the previous year, owing to a decrease in racing dates. But with Waterford added to the states tracks and the general "Trend of Racing," it may be expected to gain in 51. The revenue in West Virginia is apportioned among various state departments through the general fund. The sport also has increased the agricultural wealth of the state, for there now are stud farms on .8,157 acres. Racing commissioner Frank Brooke has been active in developing this phase of the industry, most of it centered in the Lower Panhandle about Charles Town. Most popular of the young stallions is Justin Funkhousers Noble Impulse, a well-bred son of Bull Dog and Uvira n., who was a good stakes winner of the last several years. AAA Turf ana: Several strings will be transferred from here to Charles Town for the meet opening June 23 . . .Randall is reported to have been renovated beyond recognition before the Federal ban on construction. . .Don Ross Cochise may attempt to repeat his 1950 success in the Massachusetts Handicap. . .Howard Craig, who is pacing the local riders, is a product of Springfield, Ohio... Waterford has facilities for stabling 960 horses. As usual many of the stall applicants also had applied elsewhere ...Jockey Sam Palumbo specializes in riding at halfers in the area, is versatile enough to be among the leaders at Waterford... President Al Boyle of the Chester club resides in a penthouse atop the stands... The Stevens Caterers serve Waterford patrons.
