view raw text
New England Notebook -. By JOE HIRSCH Rockingham Seat of N. E. Racing Add Bunker Hill Mile to Schedule Shapes Up as Attractive Feature ROCKINGHAM PARK, Salem, N. H., June 2. Its always a pleasure to go racing at Rockingham Park, .the colorful oval sit uated just this side of the New Hampshire,-Massachusetts state line. The charm and graceful air of this historic course, where New England racing was born, is comparable only to Churchill Downs a n d Pimlico among Am erican tracks. But, despite the presence of so much tradition, officials here are not living in the past, and are constantly seeking new means to insure the success of the 1954 meeting. One of the major projects along this line is the proposed Bunker Hill Invitation Mile, a 0,-BOO-added stake to be held on June IT for horses stabled on the grounds or in the neighboring areas. Lou Smith, executive manager and vice-president of this course, suggested the event and racing secretary Owen Pons is at work on the details. The race is open to horses of. all ages and there are enough quality thoroughbreds campaigning here to make it one of the most attractive features of the New England season. Pons has approached trainers of the better handicap stars such as Larry Ellis, Wise Margin and Soldier Son and, in addition, spoke with George Handy and Ji M. Keefe about the possibility of the good three -year-olds, Blessbull and Royal Battle, competing against the older horses. Pons promised the sophomores a fair shake in the weights and both Handy and Keefe, as well as the others, seem agreeable. The event shapes up as excellent sport and should stimulate considerable interest locally. "New England people deserve to see this kind of race and the horsemen here deserve to run for a good-sized purse," said Pons yesterday. The veteran secretary predicts a successful season although he admits he might have trouble filling some of the races during the course of the 54-day meeting that began on Monday. "We usually had a split meet," said Pons. "Now well have to space the use of our top horses carefully." "But I dont think well have too much difficulty," he added. "I have over 1,100 thoroughbreds to call on. We didnt have to card a single substitute race here during either the summer or fall meetings last year and Im hoping well have the same record this season." Questioned about the 48-hour entry system that was in use at Suffolk Downs during this spring, Pons pointed out that he used it last year when he was at Suffolk and that it was discarded at the suggestion of the horsemen. Although it was voted in at East Boston this year, there has been no strong movement in its favor at Rockingham. Pons adds,, however, that he recognizes the advantages offered by the additional 24 hours and would be happy to oblige local horsemen if they were inclined toward the plan. Some final figures from Suffolk show that, despite the atrocious weather that hampered operations at the seaside oval, the meeting closed in surprisingly strong fashion. Over-all attendance was up 2.4 per cent against a comparative number of days in 1953, with Suffolks daily average at 14,314 this year. The handle, once off as much as 5 per cent, benefited by the busy Memorial Day week-end cards and wound up off by only 1.8 per cent and an average figure of 91,941. With decent weather .the sport might have had a banner-run a good sign for racing in New England. Tony DeSpirito also closed strongly after a short absence due to a throat virus. He led the jockeys at East Boston with 46 wins against 44 for Bobby Ussery. J. M. Keene took trainer honors with 13 scores, while Woody Sedlacek had 12. J. H. Can-paced the owners with 11 triumphs and Jerry Lynch and M. and I. Prickett tied for second with eight each. AROUND THE TRACK: The incredible DeSpirito rode five winners again yesterday and now has 14 victories in three days -of competition. . . . Gene Dubeau, .of Crowley-Jones the camera people, is recovering from a touch of pneumonia and should be on the job in the photo-finish booth here shortly. . . . George Handys Whammo broke his leg yesterday morning and had tp bedesjarqyed . . . Bill Balzaretti, the veteran Teuisman who rode well at Pimlico, is plying his trade at Rockingham now.
