view raw text
1 , New England Notebook By JOE HIRSCH — HBP A Founded in N.E. 14 Years Ago Plan Disaster and Fire Relief Fund Excellent Suffolk Program Today SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 28. — The recent fire at the Michigan Racing Association track in Detroit brought a a generous generous and and speedv speedy 1 , a a generous generous and and speedv speedy contribution from the New England division of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association and underlined the value of the group to racing. The national body, numbering seme 16,000, was organized here in Yankeeland some 14 years ago by Phil Bieber Bieber and and Harold Harold Bieber Bieber and and Harold Harold Simmons. Under the leadership of Irving Gushen, a Boston leather goods manufacturer and noted horseman, the HBPA has grown in membership and scope over the past year and is laying a solid foundation for the future. The New England chapter is headed by Max White of Providence and in the role of founding fathers has always taken the lead in HBPA activities. The ready response to the call for help from [Detroit was an example of the divisions willingness to fulfill its responsibilities. White is high in praise of the cooperation he and the organization have received from the local tracks in the program to aid horsemen. "Management, for the most part, has been wonderful to us," said White yesterday, "and I want to express my appreciation of this attitude. Rockingham Park recently constructed new quarters for the grooms, an important step, and Lou Smith is to be congratulated for this additional evidence of his interest in our problems. Lincoln Downs has promised a new paddock and track kitchen in the near future and Narragansett has informed us of their intention to winterize the stable area as well as the front side. Judge Pappas and Suffolk Downs have, ~" always treated us squarely, too. Id like to cite Vince Murphy and the field office of the TRPB for their enthusiasm in cooperating with the HBPA. "Among our major projects for the future is a disaster and fire relief fund. The extent of damage at Detroit and the memory of past fires compels us to create a ready reserve that would carry us over a disaster of major proportions. Such a disaster would just about wipe us out right now and we are trying to set aside an amount that would be specifically ear-, marked for that purpose while the organizations other funds could be directed toward assisting indigent horsemen as we have in the past. If we can get each track to contribute the proceeds of one racing day per year, then we should be able to set up such an emergency fund. The stall situation is still one of our biggest problems," says White. "There just isnt enough space to accommodate everyone who wants to race here and theres not too much we can do about it right now. Weve come a long way under Irving Gushen, who has been a fine president and who has helped our organization, more than can be estimated. Last year he received the award of the New England turf writers for his outstanding: contributions to racing. He richly deserved the honor and we hope he will, consider running for office again in August when the national convention is held in Atlantic City." An excellent race is in prospect for Saturday with the annual renewal of the 0,000 Constitution Handicap for three-year-olds. A small field of six is expected to contest the mile event but included in this half-dozen are W. E. Browns Royal Battle and Maurices Sims Blessbull, generally acknowledged as New Englands top sophomores. Their lone previous meeting was on May 1 when they finished One-two in the six-furlong Faneuil Hall Cap, with Royal Battle getting the nod by two * lengths. The Time Passes colt is topweight at 121 while Blessbull will tote 116. Also at 116 is E.- M. OBriens surprise entry, Brisuet, winner of the second division of the 0,000 added Delaware Valtey Stakes at Garden State two weeks ago. The Bos-suet— Bright Work gelding is in perfect form according to M. J. Bresnahan, who will saddle her for the stake. Around the track: George Handy is the proud father of a baby boy. Th« Continued on Page Thirty-Four New England Notebook By JOE HIBSCH Continued irom Page Seven wife of the popular young: trainer gave birth eearly yesterday morning: with the hospital tote board, lighting up at 7 pounds, 9 ounces. . . Among: those who have shipped to Rockingham are Ed Anspach, Jim OBrey, Henry Delia Ciop-pa and Rollie Shepp...Tony DeSpirito hurled himself right back into the thick of the race for top jockey honors here with his four big wins yesterday. Although he was out for several days with a sore throat, DeSpirito has ridden 40 winners and is only one behind Bobby TJsserys pacesetting 41... Trainer Mike Freeman has a groom named Louis Pasteur, a direct descendant of the famed French scientist.
