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ON THE WIRE By Hugh J. McGuirel BEULAH PARK, Grove City, Ohio, May 10. Maybe we were not too critical and maybe it was because we had seen in our time a few tracks that deserved to be called "the bottom of the barrel" but during our trips to this course on the outskirts of Columbus in recent years we had thought of it as a rather cozy and well-kept place. The surfacing of the grandstand with a manufactured stone front and the addition of appoint ments in good taste in the clubhouse and press box in recent years, enhanced this viewpoint but when we saw a "new look" on display this morning we were ready to admit that Beulah Park had arrived. Its right pretty. AAA By moving south from Ascot Park we had thought that to reach an area that had not been drenched by almost constant rainfall only to learn that practically the same atmospheric conditions existed here. Until races have been run over it we will not know if the track has been adversely affected but certainly the rain has influenced the grass around the paddock and in the infield. This is so green that it might be mistaken for the famed blue grass of Kentucky at its best. AAA Grandstand patrons wilf be pleased to find the entire area with concrete flooring and new seats well spaced for comfort. A new center stairway to the mutuels is designed to relieve congestion. Track superintendent Clovis Keller tells us that the new section of widened track was installed in dry weather but that plenty of water was used to help it to settle and it was thoroughly rolled. He believes the addition to be the best part of the track. AA A The widening of the track on the back-stretch to permit a dozen horses to start where only 10 were allowed previously is an improvement that strikes us as somewhat generous for a track to make and we trust it is appreciated by those who benefit by it. It was a rather expensive job but we 0ii bra i i oroi. t jui u New Look Greets Beulah Park Fans Extensive Grandstand Improvements Wider Track Benefits Owners, Riders are unable to see where it will benefit either the public or the management. We believe that a 10-horse field would attract as much mutuel handle as one with more entrants, particularly as with the tote in use here the number of tickets sold on starters is limited to 10, with the others being grouped in the mutuel field. The benefits of the track-widening should come to the owners and the jockeys. Two more owners will have chances to win purses and two more riders will have an opportunity to. pick: up mounts. The widening of the track also permits a straighter run of horses from the six-furlong starting chute and this eliminates a racing hazard. The turns have also been made more sweeping. AAA . There are those of you who demand a dash of Native Dancer, Determine from this area. But there is another school which holds that such things are relative and a match between two lowly platers is enough to engender interest and excitement. We have no such match race in mind and this being the first day of the meeting we cannot f orsee if conditions will arise to bring together local favorites to decide such a burning issue. On the program for opening day we find one horse who would fit into such a pattern, and, if she continues to be successful, we have no doubt that a rival will emerge to challenge her superiority. This is Luciete, a four-year-old filly by Grandpa!-Easter Moss, a pedigree that would send most Kentuckians to the record books. Last year this miss won eight of 13 starts and garnered a tidy ,575 for her efforts. At two she started six times and picked up 00 presumably by finishing fourth. Luciete is not without opposition today from a money-winning standpoint. Two other rivals won more than ,000 each year, another more than ,000. From such as these will come the rivalry that will make "name" horses on this circuit. A A A A race track is only as strong as the of- ficials who govern the conduct of the sport and we believe that Beulah Park is well endowed in this record. In the stewards stand we find Monte Weil, A. R. Winters and Francis G. "Pug" Wilson. The youngest of these in experience is Wilson, who has only five years service as steward to recommend him, with four of these years spent as state steward in Florida. He also has served as association steward at Sunshine Park and at Scarborough Downs. Weil and Winters have been so long connected with racing that they need no introduction. Racing secretary Eugene Bury is one of the real veterans of his profession as is Tom Brown who will send the fields away. The other officials who function here are also men of experience in their respective fields. The selection of such prominent individuals to guide the progress of the sport here does not come by accident but is a part of the policy adopted by the management in a sincere effort to elevate the general tone of the sport in this Tea. AAA In Brief: There was no trace of the snow that fell on Sunday as preparations were completed for the opening under clear bright skies... The jockey colony here includes C. L. Martin, the lad who is concerned more with his height than his weight. Horsemen are inclined to doubt that his ranginess will permit him to ride at 111 pounds, but he makes that weight. His engagements are made by E. J. Hall ...With some material left over for the grandstand and improvements, track super-intendant Clovis Keller built a new set of metal stands for starter Tom Brown. . .Attractive niches on either side of a refreshment stand on the main lawn display several of the trophies that will be contested for in future races. The west section under the grandstand has been finished in attractive knotty pine. AAA Mutuel patrons will find the sellers and cashiers windows streamlined with the removal of the metal guide rails... A full brother and sister are on the opening day card in Tulomas Girl and Ben Nyp. They are by Talked About Tuloma. The new policy of starting a dozen instead of 10 in sprint races gets its inauguration in the first race of the meeting.
