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. i Arlington Proceeds With Opening Plans State Meet to Begin June 16 As Scheduled Regardless of Boycott Threatened by HBPA Arlington Park officials announced Saturday that they intend to open their meeting on schedule, June 16, despite the seven-day notice given them and the Illinois Racing Board Friday by the central division of the Horsemens Belevolent and Protective Association that unless the latters purse demands were complied with, they would not enter their horses to race at the Northwest Side track. . . In a statement issued by executive director Benjamin P. Iindheimer and officers and directors of the Arlington Park Jockey Club, the officials stated that they would race "with horses entered by horsemen who already have informed us they will run in spite of any boycott threat, or in spite of any arbitrary demands made by an HBPA committee." Third Track Served Arlington is the third track in the Chicago area served with the seven-day notice. Sportsmans Park was dark the final week. of its meeting when unable to reach an agreement on purses with the HBPA, while an agreement wasnt reached with Lincoln Fields after several days of discussion until late Sunday night prior to their opening on May 16. Joseph Kohout, vice-president of the central division of the HBPA, stated the horsemen want the Arlington Park management to "guarantee" the condition book. That is to say, that the all purse monies advertised in the book will be distributed and that if races advertised in the book dont fill, those sums should be added to that or subsequent programs. The HBPA, Kohout said, desires an agreement with the Arlington management ■ to a method whereby if the mutuel play goes over last years average, the horsemen will receive increases in purses. Using the average daily handle of Arlington for 1951, Continued, on Page Five « ♦ Arlington Officials Proceeding With Plans to Open Meeting State Session Will Begin As Scheduled in Spite of HBPAs Boycott Threat Continued from Page One 28,932, as a base, the HBPA is asking that when Arlington handle averages 50,-001 then an additional ,000 be given in purses and a corresponding ,000 for each i additional 0,000 increase in handle. This I is patterned, Kohout -said, along lines of the Lincoln Fields arrangement except that with the latter association the increase in purses over the 4,500 specified, daily outlay begins at the 50,000 mark. Kohout left Saturday afternoon for New York where he and other members of the HBPA executive committee are scheduled to meet tomorrow afternoon. The Arlington Park situation will be on the agenda, Kohout stated. The Illinois Board Board has announced its regular meeting will be held Wednesday morning. Although it is a regular bi-monthly meeting, it is considered very likely that the Arlington purse controversy will come up for discussion. Meanwhile, the Arlington Park management announced that many horsemen throughout the country, "several of them members of the HBPA," were rallying td the tracks support. Among them was owner-trainer Ben Creech, for many years and currently a member of the HBPA central division committee. Shipping to Arlington: Creech "I dont ship my horses anywhere that I dont run, and Im shipping my horses to Arlington Park. . .period," said Creech Saturday afternoon. Creech, Arlington officials state, was among the first to inform them that "not "all HBPA members think the way a few think." "We have, many similar responses from HBPA members," declared Graham Smith, vice-president of the Arlington park Jockey Club. "We have no issue with the majority of HBPA horsemen. We do not feel that the thinking of some members represents the thinking of all HBPA members. Many of the HBPA members have raced with Arlington for years and have renewed their expressions of confidence in the integrity and sincerity of our racing operation." Arlington officials also said that they had received word from Ivan- Parke, trainer of the Fred W. Hooper stable; JackHod-gins, trainer of Charles Fishers Dixiana unit, and Hal Price Headley, Kentucky owner-breeder, of plans "to run" at Arlington. Owner Herbert Herff, of Memphis, Term., told officials his string of nine would be stabled at Arlington Park immediately. "This whole strike thing is an outrage," Herff said. "I dont think there is another track in America that offers horsemen such golden opportunities in distribution as does Arlington Park. How anyone can threaten a strike against Arlington is a mystery to me." Will Not Sign Any Formula The statement of Lindheimer and officers and directors of Arlington was lengthy but to the point. They termed the HBPAs action as "an open and implacable attempt to boycott major thoroughbred racing in Chicago," and went on to say that the track "could not and would not sign any such formula contract." The 1952 racing program at Arlington, which calls for a minimum distribution of ,350,000 "before the track is opened" was pointed out. This is a minimum average of 7,500 daily. The HBPA, according to Arlington officials ,has demanded that "75 per cent of the total distribution must be given in overnight purses, only 25 per cent in stake. . .That 75 per cent. . .must be given in overnight purses alone, with no qualifications — or Arlington Park will not open." A stakes distribution of 30,000 is already committed to, with over 2,000 nominations received. "The stakes events must be run," the. statement declares. "If the stakes percentage is to be only one-fourth of the total distribution, then three times that amount — or a total of ,590,000 — must be distributed in overnight purses. This would bring the total distribution at Arlington Park to exactly ,120,000 for the 36 days — a daily average of 8,888. "This 8,888 daily average distribution, which the HBPA is demanding — or else — is 69 per cent greater than the 4,806 daily average distributed last year by Arlington Park. "If race tracks were compelled to operate on such a formula basis, it would sound the death knell of high-class racing throughout the land." Arlingtons daily average distribution for ;1951 4,806, was the second best in the nation in proportion to the tracks revenue from the mutuels commission, breakage and gate receipts, the statement added. Distribution Over Ten-Year Period During the past 10 years, Arlington and Washington Parks, whose meetings are run on a coordinated basis, "distributed 2,-767,758, which is ,186,987 more than the total distribution of all other Chicago area tracks. Arlington alone distributed 2,-292,655." The statement went on to say that Arlington "has consistently ranked among the top five race tracks in America in distribution against income . . Among American tracks operating for a profit, Arlington Park is second only to Pimlico. . .and that by one and one-half percentage points— in the proportion of distribution versus income." Arlingtons figure was 38.66 per cent and Pimlico, 40.11 per cent. The statement concludes by declaring that "this HBPA boycot formula would abolish Chicagos ability to bring the best American thoroughbreds here to race . . . Arlington Park, acting on the expressions and faith of horsemen who have applied for stalls in 1952, does not feel that actions of a misled minority represent the feelings of the horsemen who plan to race at our track. We intend to open on schedule, in spite of any boycott threat of any ultimatum, or any arbitrary demands." Following is the statement of Executive Director Lindheimer, and officers and directors of the Arlington Park Jockey Club: "The Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association central division committee has threatened Arlington Park with what they term a "strike." "This group arbitrarily demands that if Arlington Park does not sign a contract on stakes-and-purses distribution with them, there will be no racing when Arlington Park opens June 16. "This ultimatum is not a strike. It is an open and implacable attempt to boycott major thoroughbred racing in Chicago. "This boycott threat comes from a small but articulate and demanding nucleus. The bulk of the horsemen who already are stabled at Arlington Park, or who are shipping their thoroughbreds to Arlington Park, have given the officers and directors of the track written assurance that they will race here. "ARLINGTON PARK, IN THE FACE OF THIS ARBITRARY DEMAND BY THE HBPA COMMITTEE, AND IN THE FACE OF A DEMAND FOR A DISTRIBUTION FORMULA WHICH IS NOT ONLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET BUT WHICH WOULD END MAJOR RACING IN ILLINOIS, CANNOT AND WILL NOT MAKE A DEAL WITH ANY ORGANIZATION ON DISTRIBUTION. Intend to Open on Schedule "Arlington Park intends to open its track on schedule June 16. Arlington Park intends to race with horses entered by horsemen who already have informed us they Continued on Page Forty f Arlington Officials Proceeding With Plans to Open Meeting State Session Will Begin 4 I I As Scheduled in Spite of HBPAs Boycott Threat Continued from Page Five r will run in spite of any boycott threat, or ; in spite of any arbitrary demands made » by an HBPA committe. • "One of the HBPA committee spokesmen ! was Dr. Harry Lindy, a Michigan HBPA of-: ficial and a practicing chiropodist. He told r the Arlington group that the track should : not feel too badly" about being the first i" to conform to a "pattern of distribution based either directly or indirectly on mu- tuel handle/ : " Ultimately, he said, during the first of ! two meetings, this will be a national pat- • tern. "Arlington Park, now and for the past 10 i years, has been among the leaders in volun-i tary, high distribution to horsemen. We already have announced a 1952 racing program at Arlington Park which commits the track to a MINIMUM of ,350,000 before the track is even open and before any indication of mutuel handle has been recorded. "Arlington Park already has committed itself to distribute a MINIMUM of 7,500 in daily average — before the track has opened and, again, before any mutuel handle is indicated. This is a substantial in-crease, and eventually will mean the highest total distribution in the history of Illinois racing, with the possible exception of racings peak years — 1946-1947. "What justification is there for the formula demanded by the HBPA committee? Economically and morally, there is none. It would not only put Arlington Park out of business — it would also put an end to major thoroughbred racing in Illinois. Demand 75% of Distribution in Overnights "What did the HBPA committee demand Arlington Park to sign — or else? Just this: "SEVENTY-FIVE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL DISTRIBUTION MUST BE GIVEN IN OVERNIGHT PURSES, ONLY 25 PER CENT IN STAKES. In an overnight purse, the owner is not required to put up a fee to race; the tracks puts up the money. In a stake, the tracks put up an award — ranging from 5,000 to 00,-000 at Arlington Park— but the horseman must also pay a fee to rape. The entire proceeds then are distributed to the first four horses* "That 75 per cent, the HBPA demands, must *be distributed in overnight purses alone, with no qualifications — or Arlington Park will not open. "The unreasonableness of that demand is absolutely irrefutable: Arlington Park already has advertised and is committed for a stakes distribution of 30,000. These events were announced last fall and last spring and have drawn over 2,000 nominations from owners all over America. The stakes events must be run. If the stakes percentage is to be only one-fourth of the TOTAL DISTRIBUTION, then three times that amount — or a total of ,590,000 — must be distributed in overnight purses! That is the total purse distribution which eventually would be accomplished if Arlington Park was to yield to the HBPA boycott-formula. "This would bring the total distribution at Arlington Park to exactly ,120,000 for the 36 days — A DAILY AVERAGE OF 8,888! "THIS 8,888 DAILY AVERAGE DISTRIBUTION WITH THE HBPA IS DEMANDING—OR ELSE — IS 69 PER CENT GREATER THAN THE 4,806 DAILY AVERAGE DISTRIBUTED LAST YEAR BY ARLINGTON PARK. "If race tracks were compelled to operate on such a formula basis, it would sound the death knell of high-class racing throughout x the land. "Arlington Parks 1951 daily average distribution of 4,806 was the second best in the nation in proportion to the tracks revenue from mutuel commission, breakage and gate receipts. "This year, before Arlington Park has even opened its gates and before any sound indication of mutuel handle, the track has guaranteed the horsemen a minimum of 7,500 daily average. "Over the past ten years, Arlington Park and its cordinated partner, Washington Park, have distributed to horsemen here exactly 2,767,758— which is ,186,987 more than the total distribution of- All Other Chicago area tracks. Arlington Park alone distributed 2,292,655; the two tracks together distributed to horsemen 56.43 per cent of the ten-year aggregate; the other tracks distributed 43.51 per cent. Look at the Record "The HBPA threat of boycott and its refusal to come to any conclusion without a contracted distribution formula might be understandable — even though unreasonable — if Arlington Park had a past record of low distribution in proportion to its income. "But look at the record: Without any pressure attempts, or threats of boycott, or refusals to race except under* HBPA committee terms, Arlington Park has consistently ranked among the top five race tracks in America in distribution against income i , . — . mutuel commission, breakage, gate receipts, which is the most accurate yardstick on what a track can and does distribute to the horsemen. Among American tracks operating for profit, Arlington Park is second only to Pimlico — and that by only one-and-one-half percentage points — in the proportion of distribution versus income. Last year, for example: Arlington Park gave 38.66 per cent; Pimlico led the nation with 40.11. "Arlington Park, along with Washington Park, always have attempted to build Chicago into the thoroughbred racing capital of the world. In competition with the strong New York circuit and more recently with California, this has required a stakes program and a purse schedule of high value and fine balance. "ANY SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO JEOPARDIZE THE ARLINGTON-WASHINGTON STAKES PROGRAM,- AS THIS HBPA BOYCOTT-FORMULA WOULD, WOULD ALSO ABOLISH CHICAGOS ABILITY TO BRING THE BEST AMERICAN THOROUGHBREDS HERE TO RACE. "Arlington Park will always resist any boycott or any arbitrary demand which will destroy major racing here. "Many of the horsemen already have indicated to Arlington Park that they are going to race their horses here, regardless of the sentiments or threats of a misled minority. Demand for Stalls "The 1952 stakes program, first announced last September and followed by tho first condition book over a month ago, has resulted in an unprecedented demand by horsemen for stall space at Arlington Park. "They must be given the chance to run. The public must be given its chance to see major thoroughbred racing in Chicago. And Arlington Park must be given the right to present its already-accepted program without a gun at its head. Otherwise, the last rights of management are gone, and there is no hope for managements rights in the thoroughbred racing industry. "We have been bluntly and implacably told by this HBPA committee, as has the Illinois Racing Board, that Arlington Park must negotiate a contracted, distribution formula or there will be a "strike" at Arlington Park. Arlington Park cannot make any such; agreement. MWe will, instead, open Arlington Park on June 16 and race with the horses that horsemen want to race. "Arlington Park, acting on the expressions and faith of horsemen who have applied for stalls in 1952, does not feel that actions of a misled minority represent the feelings of the horsemen who plan to race at our track. "We intend to open on schedule, in spite of any boycott threat or any ultimatum, or any arbitrary demands." Horsemen throughout the country, many of them members of the Horsemens Benevolent Protective Association, rallied Saturday to support Arlington Park against a threatened HBPA boycott of thoroughbred racing at the Chicago track. Prominent among them was owner-trainer Ben Creech, for many years and currently a member of the HBPA central division committee. "I dont ship my horses anywhere that I dont run, and Im shipping my horses to Arlington Park— period," said Creech Saturday, soon after the HBPA committee of which he is a member filed a "strike" notice, to start on opening day, June 16, unless Arlington Park agrees to sign a contract agreeing to a distribution formula based on mutuel handle. Creech, for years a force in HBPA benevolent projects, was among the first to inform Arlington Park officers that "not all HBPA members think the way a few think" on the strike issue. "We have had many similar responses from HBPA members," explained Graham Smith, vice president of Arlington Park Jockey Club. "We have no issue with the majority of HBPA horsemen. We do not feel that the thinking of some members represents the thinking of all HBPA members. Many Members Here for Years "Many of the HBPA members," he added, "have raced with Arlington for years and have renewed their expressions of confidence inNthe integrity and sincerity of our racing operation." From New York, Ivan Parke, trainer for the F. W. Hooper Stable, reiterated a previous statement from Hooper, that he is shipping 23 thoroughbreds to Arlington Park "to run". The same support "to run" was relayed to the track by Jack Hodgins, trainer, for Charles Fishers Dixiana outfit, which already has 18 thoroughbreds on the grounds and is shipping Sub Fleet in from Belmont Park early next week. Hal Price Headley, a thoroughbred racing and breeding leader for over a quarter-century, announced his stable would arrive at Arlington Park Friday "to run our horses during the entire meeting." A newcomer tg Chicago racing, owner Herbert Herff of Memphis, Tenn. called the strike-boycott threat an "outrage" and said his string of nine runners would be stabled at Arlington immediately. "This whole strike thing is an outrage," Mr. Herff said. "I dont think there is another track in America that offers horsemen such golden opportunities in distribution as does Arlington Park. How anyone can threaten a strike against Arlington is a mystery to me."
