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MichiganRacingAssociationAnnounces Increase in Its Daily Purse Distribution Up Per Diem Average Outlay To 0,000 and Minimum to * ,000; Latter Retroactive By DON FAIR Staff Correspondent DETROIT, Mich., June 2. — The Michigan Racing Association today announced an increase in its daily purse distribution for the second 14-day period of the 1952 Detroit race course meeting, with a minimum purse raise retroactive to Inaugural Day, May 23. The announcement came from president E. E. Dale Shaffer, of the MRA, after a meeting with racing secretary-handicapper Charles McLennan, and general manager Bob Leavitt. Dr. Harry W. Lindy, vice-president of the Michigan division of the HBPA, also attended the session. The daily distribution was lifted from 8,000 to 0,000 and the ,800 minimum purse was increased to ,000, retroactive through the initial 14 days of the current local meet. The purse value increases will be distributed thusly: Wednesdays, 9,400, Saturdays, 4,700, and the remaining week- f j days outlay 9,200, bringing the total purses for the first 14 days up to 60,400 and for the next 14 days, 80,200, which figures reach 40,600 through the first half of the 56-day meeting*. From the standpoint of attendance and t mutuel handle, Michigan has just completed its greatest week of thoroughbred racing and local officials are of the opinion that the 1952 season will prove one of the best in the Wolverine states history. After six days in which unprecedented crowds wagered ,572,917, the Michigan Racing Association is looking forward to even bet- ter things. Through the initial eight programs, ,-129,775 passed through the totalisator with the state receiving 06,488.75. The figures represent an increase of slightly more than 22 per cent over those of 1951, a difference of ,121,364. More people are attending the races at this spacious and modern plant this spring, 120,166 patrons having passed through the gates compared to 109,382 for the same period last year. The increase in attendance was remarkable inasmuch as bad Continued on Page Three MRA Announces Daily Average Purse Distribution of 0,000 Continued from Page One weather and-track conditions prevailed during the first three cards presented here this season. In other departments, such as trainer and jockey standings, old Motor City favorites are occupying top ratings. Jockey Tommy Barrow is in front of his fellow reinsmen with 10 winners, two more than the 1951 champion, Lois Cook. Neither Barrow nor Cook, however, has managed to score more than a double on any single program. Veteran jockey Warren Earl Snyder, Schenectady, New York-born race rider, has the most unusual record thus far. Snyder successfully handled five of but 15 mounts and three of his victories were scored on outsiders, better than 20 to 1 in the speculation. Among the trainers, Vestef R. "Tennessee" Wright is maintaining almost a one-a-day pace as to winners, his G. and G. Stable and James Paddock Stable charges have picked up seven purses since Inaugural day. j Henry Forrest, currently the nations leading conditioner, has saddled but one winner while Marion H. VanBerg, always one of the more popular turfmen to campaign in Michigan, has been unable thus far to snare a single victory.
