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JMew England Notebook By JOE HIRSCH . ! . Sport at Rock Aids State Treasury Turn Over ,449,710 Revenue in 53 Nerud Paid ,000 for Deflation ROCKINGHAM PARK, Salem, N. H., June 4. New Englanders enjoy their racing , and the sport has taken a firm hold in this tucu, auuui uiii tu Jj,y - ron E. Redman, chairman of the New Hampshire Racing Commission. "While I can make no prediction at this time as to the financial future of the sport," the veteran official said yesterday. "I would like to point to the steady increase i n pari-mutuel handle at this track over the nast few years. Beginning with 1948, we have had a definite upswing season by season and although the gains have not been spectacular, they are encouraging and offer evidence that the sport is healthy and prospering." Redman, who was appointed to the commission in 1946 by Gov. Charles Dale, became interested in the turf first as a representative and then a senator at Concord, the state capital. He was chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and a member of the finance committee and in both posts dealt with matters concerning the states revenue. New Hampshire has no income tax and much of its monies are derived from assessments on tobacco, the state-operated liquor stores and its share of the handle at Rockingham Park. In fact, the ,449,710 revenue garnered at this course last year represented a significant portion of the New Hampshire budget. Like many other legislatures Concord apparently is not satisfied with a steady, sizable return and a committee appointed to study the financial situation here recently recommended an increase of 1 per cent of the states share. Nelson Dunstan penned an interesting- article a few days ago on the effects of high taxation on racing in New York state and Redman subscribes heartily to the theory that there is no point in throttling the golden goose. The commissioner pointed out that one of the inducements to the largely non-New Hampshire crowd that races here has always been the moderate scale of taxation in the state. Where Massachusetts assesses 14 per cent and Continued on Page Forty-Five I i ; 1 New England Notebook By JOE HIRSCH Continued from Page fbte Rhode Island 1314 the bite here is now IV2 per cent. John Neruds Deflation raced to a six-furlong victory in 1:10 the other day, one second off the track record and among the better times turned in during this young meeting. Nerud bought the veteran campaigner in Florida last March for ,000 from Otto Blank and the seven-year-old gelded son of Half Crown Stop Loss has- been Mr. Consistency himself, according to the owner-trainer. Deflation won 7,962 last year, was claimed on the New England circuit and grabbed right back again by Nerud. He was in the money 11 times in 22 outings during 1953 and as Nerud says is a competent rather than a spectacular performer. The gelding likes the sprints and is not at his best on an off-track. Nerud races him the year round but spaces his appearances. The veteran trainer started his turf career riding Brahma bulls in western rodeos. He soon discovered that piloting thoroughbreds was an easier and safer way to make a living and rode for several years in the bush country with some success. His best horse since receiving a trainers license was Delegate, who shared sprinter-of-the-year honors with Royal Governor some time ago. He has 14 horses in his string here at Rockingham including several for C. C. Ware, the Circle Bar horseman. Ware, who came East for a short visit to The Rock the other day, raises wheat and cattle in Kansas. Hes going back shortly to harvest 900 acres of grain and he recently lost 1,100 acres to a midwest sandstorm. Ware also has several thousand head of cattle. Around the Track: The 10-day suspensions of jockeys William Balzaretti and Norman Mercier for careless riding handed out by the stewards yesterday, has caused some comment among local horsemen. Both came as a result of viewing the films Thursday morning. There were no foul claims following the two races in question Tony DeSpirito was treated by a doctor for a severe cold this morning and canceled his mounts for the day . . . Bill Calvert, of Buddy Wingfields starting crew, in the infield, cuts clover .between races for the Percherons who pull the gate.
