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Sale of Del Mar Track Is Reported Imminent Offer of Texans Murchison, Richardson May Be Accepted LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 8. Rumors continued to persist here today that the sale of controlling interest in the Del Mar race track is imminent. Although actual sale confirmation was lacking at press time, it was officially admitted that an attractive offer had been made to president Alfred Hart and his associates. The offer purportedly has come from Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson, two prominent Texans. From all reports, the price is right and consummation of the deal may be forthcoming by the end of this week. Kirt Parlmer, attorney for Hart, informed a Daily Racing Form correspondent today that conversations pertaining to the deal have been taking place the past few days and the Del Mar Turf Club board of directors will hold a meeting at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel Friday morning, June 11, at 9 a. m. Immediately following the meeting a press conference will be called witn an announcement of the outcome of the negotiations. An extensive expansion and improvement program recently announced by Hart will undoubtedly be carried out if the sale is completed, as the facilities the past two meetings have been most inadequate to accommodate the growing interest in racing in the Del Mar-San Diego area. The popular summer resort track was founded by Bing Crosby in 1937 and acquired its first success under the guidance of the late "Bill" Quigley. Crosby disposed of his holdings after operating the track for several years to a group headed by attorney Arnold Grant and Mike Todd. They later sold control to Joseph Schenck, former chairman of the board of Twentieth Century-Fox studio, who operated the track until September of 1952. Due to the pressure of other interests, Schenck disposed of his controlling interest to a group of Southern California businessmen headed by Al Hart. Included in the group was Louis B. Mayer, prominent motion picture executive and thoroughbred breeder, who became chairman of the board of Del Mar. The seaside course has enjoyed continued growth and success, whereby it is now offering stakes and purses commensurate with those of the major tracks of the nation.
