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Discuss 55 California Dates At Race Commission Meeting LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 24. — A meeting of the California Horse Racing Board for the purpose of considering a dates schedule for Californias major race courses for 1955 was called to order at 10:30 a.m. today with all members of the commission, as well as William V. OConnor, representing the State Attorney Generals office, in attendance. Making up the three-man board are Dwight Murphy, chairman; Bert Railey and George I. Holmes. The board presented a proposed schedule for next year and representatives of the states major tracks were advised to go into conference — which they did — in an attempt to resolve minor differences over the dates. The track representatives were still in a huddle when the board adjourned for lunch. Main point of contention was the March 12 closing at Santa Anita as proposed by the commissioners. The rub of the situation," it was reliably reported, is a desire on the part of Santa Anita to open a few days later than it did this season. The Arcadia track opened Saturday, December 26 last year, but Christmas falls on a Saturday this year and Santa Anita does not race on that holiday. It is understood that Santa Anitas preference is to open December 28 and race through March 12, a span of 50 days for the association and five for charity, or as an alternative from December 31 to March 12, which would mean the track taking a 10 percent cut in its maximum scheduled of 50 days as allowed by law. The closing date is what is drawing the fire of the other tracks for they feel it would tend to upset the, usual schedule in the spring. Santa Anitathis year ended its meeting on the first Saturday of March, which was the 6th.
