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■i L inim ,M,„„M BETWEEN RACES By Oscar Of/sl ► HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif. , May 27. — Yesterday, this column com-. merited in some detail as to the California ■i L inim ,M,„„M date date set-up, set-up, but but since since date date set-up, set-up, but but since since those lines were written, we learn there is a strong groundswell to provide that the two Los Angeles tracks abandon "the idea of some four - day weeks which pop up now and then and utilize those off days to the best advantage, i.e., with racing. In the case of Hollywood noiiywooa Park .rarK this uns Hollywood noiiywooa Park .rarK this uns summer, the racing on the two extra off days would give Hollywood 47 days instead of 45 days, plus the usual charity allotment, and these extra days would be well within the legal limits allowable to the track. It s makes sense to us, should make sense to the horsemen, and certainly would receive, we believe, enthusiastic approval of the public. Southern Californians have shown, time after time, and in an unmistakable fashion, that they want horse racing, that the sport is here by popular demand, and any thinking that a track must keep closed and run half weeks is an admission that some people hold to a wrong conclusion, i.e., that racing is being conducted under sufferance. Some outside observers, and not connected with management or the HBPA, have said they thought it would be a good idea if, on some of the allowable Mondays within a Los Angeles tracks 10 weeks of racing, a days sport be raced with an emphasis upon two-year-old racing. Maybe many as four such races could be care" which would clear up the "star" list, p. vide a racing opportunity for a host of juveniles on the grounds, and generally develop youngsters who might have stakes aspirations. » AAA We do not feel that any racing program should be staged for the express benefit of any group of horses and we do not agree that the best interests of racing, in the long run, are served by carding races for the best, which in turn acts to sift out the cheaper horses. No real progress can be made by catering to mediocracy. At the same time, some extra days would give a track an opportunity to conduct a number of experiments, especially with two-year-olds, which would not interfere with the normal conduct of the meeting. This is just * Urge Utilization of All Race Days Give Juveniles More Opportunities Pony Problem Is Par Prom Solved an idea which has been broached for discussion purposes, and we are not advocating it. But we do thoroughly agree that four-day weeks are not desirable, and that as long as the law permits the days, they should be used. And, we predict, they will be used in future years because it is apparent the new thinking of the racing board is to use legal racing days wherever possible. A A A y These days would be beneficial to the horsemen, of course, who are on a percentage basis everywhere in the state excepting Santa Anita. And speaking about the horsemen, it is worthy of comment that in glaring contrast to last year, a feeling of general goodwill prevails here this summer, which means to us that basically, the horsemen dislike strife. With this new attitude prevailing, it is just probable that any differences of opinion between management and the HBPA will be settled at a conference table. AAA It appears that the racing commission, in an effort to solve the so called pony problem, acted too late in restoring the fee, for our observations at the meeting to date indicate that while a few ponies in night races are missing, as many as ever accompany starters postward in stakes. People east of the Rockies would be amused if they saw a 12-horse field going postwards with 13 ponies, including the two track outriders, as has happened in the West on more than one occasion. Some post parades seem like a great array of horses, and folks have difficulty in as much as getting a look at the starters. Hollywood has dressed up its parades a bit, however, which has taken some of the sting out of the motley appearance the post parades of old. Each pony rider wears a freshly laundered green jacket, and must go hatless. We have heard only a few complaints on this requirement, and these have come, as might be expected, from the champions of the idea of rugged individualism. AAA Californias horse racing board has expressed itself as being concerned with the frequency of stable fires throughout America, and has asked each track to provide it with complete data on fire protection equip - •ment, and methods of coping with fires. We ran a personal check with race track executives, and have found that in general, California tracks have excellent protection, protection that in the southland is double checked by the SPCA as well as local fire marshalls. But we do think a word of caution is called for. AAA Bill Fitzgerald, chairman of the Washington State Racing Commission, is -also the fire chief of Seattle, and is a recognized authority on conflagrations. He has told us on more than one occasion that there is no such thing as a fire-proof building of any kind. And, as some inn keepers warn their guests, the building may be fire resistant, but people are not. The last race track fire in California occurred only a few months ago when most of the San Joaquin County Fair GrStmds at Stockton burned to the ground. Ed G. Vollmann, general manager, tells us the state will provide portable steel bleachers, plus cover from the sun, for the August meeting at Stockton, and that these accommodations will prevail until San Joaquin can build its new fair grounds, grounds and facilities which are expected to be in use by 1956. AAA Three tracks on the coast, and three only, have barns built of incombustible material. The pioneer in this field is Caliente, in old Mexico just to the South, which in 1928 built its entire stable area of concrete, tile, and steel. It has never had as much as a hint of a stable blaze. The Caliente barns, incidentally, are considered the best this side of the Rockies, and horses find them extremely comfortable. They are equipped with kicking boards. Del Mar and the San Joaquin have" adobe barns, and both tracks have found said barns not only worthwhile, but with little or no upkeep cost. AAA Fires cannot be stamped out completely as long as the human element is involved regardless of the amount of protection provided. But they can be kept to an absolute minimum. A leader in fire resistant barns, by the way, is La Mesa Park at Raton, which is currently about half way through a complete rebuilding program in its stable area, and all new barns are fire resistant. As we say, Fitzgerald has taught us never to use the word fireproof, because there just isnt any such thing. For, as the man has remarked, "iron, steel, and Concrete can make excellent ovens, even if they do not themselves burn."
