view raw text
lorida Derby Set tf,OOOAgain Running or Gulf stream I Sophomore Event March 26; One Week Later Than Usual HALLANDALE, Fla., June 22. — The 00,000 Florida Derby, richest race of last nters Florida turf season, is to be re-wed under the same value during the 55 meeting, according to James Donn, esident of the Gulfstream Park Racing ;sociatipn. The running date has defi-tely been set for Saturday, March 26, a ek later than usual, but well in advance major three-year-old classics in the ist and Middle West. The Derby, which last March attracted a cord 31,764 to the Gulfstream grounds, is been set back one week to give invad-g thoroughbreds from California and 2w Orleans more time to become ac-tmated and to test the running strip in rkouts and actual races. The change in running date -is also exited to move the 0,000 Gulfstream irk Handicap from its usual renewal on ie second Saturday of the meeting to the kird week end, or March 19. With Gulf-ream Park inaugurating its meeting on iarch 4; this would clear an earlier date •f a new Florida Derby "prep" race which, gether with the Fountain of Youth andicap, would give sophomores another mnce to ready themselves for the rich ndertaking. onn in New York President Donn is currently in New York ity, where his travels will take him to wading race tracks in that area and in ew England and New Jersey. He hopes return to his local desk with new ideas incorporate into the Gulfstream Park icilities in time for next springs opening. "Several factors entered into our de-ision to set the Florida. Derby running a eek later in March," Donn recently said. We feel that the race definitely has ex-ended the Florida season, and that the meeting will materially benefit from the hange. The Derby, which previously had een run only a week following the Louis-ana Derby, now gives horses from the Tair Jrounds a better opportunity, and also hould be of benefit to thoroughbreds from he Far West. This inter-sectional strife las made the Florida Derby an outstand-ng winter contest, and the later running nay improve the picture right down the ine." No definite stakes schedule will be an-lounced until later in the year, according o Donn. Gulfstream Parks running strip has een completely covered over with a mix-ure of cow peas and mulch to protect it ■hroughout the summer months. This com-Dosite will be harrowed into the soil in Dctober to afford a more buoyant footing or the first horses arriving in early November.
