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I On the Trot , — — By MORRIE KURLANSKY I Bomb Sight in A.G.Ward Trot Stake Stewards Must Approve Driver Switch Little Steve Nearing 0,000 Mark MAYWOOD PARK, Maywood, 111.. May 15.— The A. G. Ward Trot Stake, named in honor of a pioneer Illinois harness horse man and father of Aurora Downs president, William V. "Jake" Ward, will be the feature race on tomorrow nights action - packed program. There were grave doubts in the racing secretarys office that the race might not fill, inasmuch as the outstanding trotter in the area, Bomb Sight, was eligi ble to the event. The challenge, however, was taken up by eight opponents, the courage of some being little less astonishing. There is a four-year-old by the name of Bennington, for instance, that started four times last year and twice this season, without ever earning one cent, finishing last most of the time. Its hard to understand why a trotter of this caliber is pitted against Bomb Sight, who would have to start against the best in an overnight event, while Bennington is listed as a green" performer. Billy Corbitt and Last Call, runner-up and third, respectively, to Bomb Sight last week, will try again tomorrow night. Last Call, especially, was handicapped in the previous start, having lost a shoe at the start, causing him to break stride, but making up a lot of ground thereafter. Mary Hall, a full sister to Johnny Brown, the biggest money winner in Chicago last year, makes her first start of the year and will be driven by Jack Hankins in the ,940 early closing stake event. Tony Hal. the ten-year-old gelding by Lew Hal and owned by Henry Nehlig. Harvard. 111., last year hardly had his peer for speed in the first quarter. In his last three races, however, Tony Hal was always outpaced in the early stages and his owner has decided that a change of drivers might be the remedy. Contrary to the practice in the thoroughbred sport, where jockey agents hustle mounts for their boys, a driver change in harness racing has to be sanctioned by the stewards. Tony Hal otherwise is something of an "iron" horse. He started no less than 56 times in 1952, winning seven races and earning ,300 for a lifetime total of 1,777.32. Little Steve, the free-for-all trotter trained by Elmitt Norman and owned by Mrs. Henry Warren, Jr., Belvidere, 111., is rapidly approaching the 0,000 mark in earnings. He won his last start in 2:08 and in five starts this year was never worse than third. The six-year-old pacing stallion. Ace Deuce, by Scotland, out of Bessie G. Axworthy, is probably the laziest horse on the grounds. Ralph Ayou, his trainer, tells that he could hit the steed with a board without making an impression on Ace Deuces stub-borness. This statement is borne out by the fact that Ace Deuce in 1952 was second 18 times but won only twice. His full sister, Velas Girl, a trotting mare, is also racing at Maywood Park. She as well as Ace Deuces halfbrother Joe Donlin by Volo-mite is in Jake Mahoneys barn. Earl "Doc" McMillen, second trainer and driver to Everett Osborn, who has the horses of E. C. Moriarty, Wichita, Kan., in his charge, resigned from this position due to overwork. "Doc" won several races here since Maywood Park opened the 53 season but since he is not the youngest man, his decision is understandable. Osborn is not ready yet to say who will be "Docs" successor. Dale Wingays spectacular victories this spring are ascribed to the fact that the five-year-old pacer, who incidentally is by the same sire as Red Sails — The Abbott, during the winter was cured of his worms. . .In addition to the twice weekly Tuesdays and Thursdays TV show from Maywood Park, harness racing fans will have another opportunity starting Saturday, to listen to the description of two feature races at the westside oval. WMAQ will bring every Saturday night from 10:15 to 11, an "All Sport Show," which includes the broadcasting of two races from May-wood Park. Clure Mosher, the official announcer at all three Chicagoland harness race meets, will be the man at the mike. The show is sponsored by the Cafe Bohemia, the downtown restaurant specializing in game and fowl. Olen Humph res. the Ashmore, 111., owner and trainer, has temporarily forsaken his home street to try his luck at Lebanon Raceway in the Buckeye State. Humphres wintered in Texas and started just one horse, Master Key at this meeting. Stewart Harvey of the Fred Harvey Restaurant entertained at dinner in the clubhouse, 22 of his restaurant managers. The managers represented Harvey restaurants from Cleveland to California . Charles I Sandel and his brother, operators of the I well-known Sandels Meat Market were spectators at the harness races . Oscar Levy, vice-president of the American To-talisator [ Company and Mr. Robinson were interviewed by Joe Wilson on Maywood . Parks NBC television show . . . Miss Gladys Jones and Miss Mildred Hugier, ardent enthusiasts ! of the pacers and trotters, were present ..Mr. and Mrs. Norman Towne, owners of the stable in charge of Dan Peacock, and well-known auto dealers, entertained Mrs. Stewart Harvey and a party of I friends. . .Mr. and Mrs. Jack Eigen picked two long shots on Monday night. Jack Eigen does the "Chez Show from the Chez Paree over WMAQ nightly. His guests i Mr. and Mrs. Marty Erritt, prominent auto dealer. Mrs. Erritt was chosen Mrs. Illinois this year... Mr. and Mrs. Tom Keating : were in the winners circle congratulating I Stan Stucker on Audrey Castles first victory • Tuesday night. E. F. Wagner, the I Springfield, 111., horseman, presented the ; Illinois Horsemens Trophy.
