view raw text
■ ♦ ► Connors Corner By "CHUCK" CONNORS ■ Chief of Chart Correspondents SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., June 14. — Massachusetts Handicap day will be one of the real big days in New England racing in the future, said Thomas J. Beed-em, chairman of the Massachusetts Racing Commission, and his opinion was shared by Judge John C. Pappas, president and general manager of Suffolk Downs. This year was the second that extra-c u r r i cular activities were added to the days racing program and that they were enjoyed by the crowds without saying. The attendance was up over last year and general satisfaction was expressed by all concerned with the presentation of the program. Judge Pappas will study the promotion plans for next year and no doubt will come up with many new ideas that will help in making the* day a . holiday in this area. The entire program will be centered about the big race, and efforts will be made to attract the best available talent in the handicap brigade. This years renewal was a good race, with One Hitter, from the Greentree Stable, vanquishing George D. Wideners Lights Up and, incidentally, racking up the / first stakes offering for the popular Long Island establishment for this season. Jockey Ted Atkinson, will .long remember the presentation festivities. The cup was presented by Dagmar, heroine of a host of television fans. These presentations are usually drab and uninteresting, but this one was different and how different. Dagmar, who is renowned for her shapely figure, greeted Atkinson upon his return to the winners circle, but when he dismounted action was fast and furious and the camera boys kept yelling for more. Dagmar greeted the Slasher" with a resounding kiss and prompted by those lined along the rails of the winners circle out-Hollywooded the movies in the display of the oscular art. Atkinson, overwhelmed by the sud-deness of the attack, grabbed for holds while his face displayed shades of red that cannot be found in the spectrum. It was excellent while it lasted but the ribbing that Atkinson took from his fellow riders when he returned to the jockeys quarters was a highlight of the afternoon. Its okay, Mrs. A., your boy could not help it, so dont blame him. Bill Passan, of the features department at Aqueduct, phoned up that for the Aqueduct clambake on Sunday something new has been adedd. Louis Prima, from down New Orleans way, who has a draft of horses in training at that course, will bring his music makers over for the big doings and supply some music. This should interest the ladies and give the boys an opportunity to sneak away to the snack bar for a quickie . . .Johnny Clark, from Tattenham Corners, and tub thumper at Keeneland, wired from Lexington that Keeneland has upped the value of the Breeders Futurity for this fall. The s,take is now fixed at 0,000, with no additional cost to the nominator. The final payment for eligibility is due on Friday, so you breeders, owners and trainers keep that in mind or it will be just too bad . Billy Ames, the tub thumper at Narragansett, was poring over road maps yesterday, seeking a quick route to Belmont Park. He is slated to attend a press meeting of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations. He will be back after the Belmont Stakes . Dave Goldman, son of Bob of the goodwill staff here, will enter Boston University this coming fall, that is if the Army doesnt put a crimp in his plans . .Trainer George Poole, of the Greentree Stable, Joaded the Massachusetts winner, One Hitter, on a van this morning, destination Belmont Park and other engagements in the New York area. Dave Toochin, master of Cherry-Oca Stable, reported that he will ship Cuore, First Nighter, Limasol and Tio Cero to Arlington Park. The turf course at that track, in the opinion of the New England leather magnate, will suit these invaders from South America. Owner Toochiri plans a trip to the lands below the equator this fall, probably late in September, and he will look over the thoroughbred market for some likely reinforcements and replacements for his stable . . Racing secretary Eb Pons will, following the close of this meeting, make a trip to Canada for some fishing and a rest before the opening of the Rockingham Park meeting. . .Judge James E. Dooley reported that the stable area at Narragansett Park would be opened for Continued on Page Thirty Connors Corner Continued from Page Five the reception of horses destined to race at that meeting on Monday. Lou Smith, maestro at Rockingham Park, not to be outdone by Aqueduct, has lined up, a clambake for some Sunday in July. He has 2k hidden, top-drawer secret ready to spring on the boys and the unveiling will be staged with all the secrecy expected from a whodunit. ..New Englanders are raving over the ability of apprentice Charles Burr, who hails from out Ohio way and is under call to the Hiver Divide Farm . . .The Suffolk Downs press box is equipped with a television set and the New England adherents of the baseball teams of that city are developing into excellent grandstand managers. . .The auld Scot, Bob Robertson, made a hurried trip to his Hialeah farm to inspect a quintet of horses that he is summering and reported that all is well. . . Murray Gross, the insurance man, proclaims that he has no hobbies, but believe you me he sure can turn out a magnificent bit of charcoal broiling on a thick steak. Next week, he will leave for an inspection tour of seveal tracks, representing Lloyds, insuring jockeys. . .O. L. Foster reported that he will probably start R. Lowes Pictus in the Yankee Handicap to be run on Monday, June 18. That offering will be the top-line attraction on Bunker Hill Day, a top-line holiday in this area. . .Jockey Hed-ley Woodhouse scurried back to Belmont Park after fulfilling his riding chores in the Massachusetts. The selections relayed to us from Belmont are: HALCYARA in the fourth; THE MINOR in the fifth, and VALA-DIUM in the sixth.
