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Fair Grounds Directors To Meet on 1952-53 Plans Racing Law Amendment to Result In Boosting of Purses and Stakes NEW ORLEANS, La., June 20.— Highly enthused with the pasage of favorable amendments to the Louisiana racing law, directors of the Fair Grounds will meet Monday to draw up plans for the 1952-1953 racing season that opens November 27 for a period of 75 or more racing days. The new law reduces the state tax on mutuel wagering on daily betting volumes up to 50,000 and even gives the race track a more liberal share of the tax on amounts above the 50,000 daily mark. A sliding scale increases the tax as the daily handle increases but Fair Grounds directors believe the lighter tax on the betting volume in the lower brackets will enable them to increase purses to such attractive standards that the highest class racing is assured. When the new amendment was introduced, the executive board of the Fair Grounds served notice that its passage would assure minimum purses of ,500 and bring about a big increase in all stakes. At the meeting, Monday, all stakes will be decided upon, the purse distribution settled and the entire program announced to horsemen so they can formulate their own plans for the winer racing. With hotel and apartment accommodations vastly increased in the last 12 months New Orleans expects an influx of thoroughbred owners, trainers and their families that will convincingly prove what an attraction and benefit high class racing is to a community, the real purpose of the local sport.
