view raw text
New England Notebook By JOE HIRSCH Double Header on Holiday Card Countessinas Debut Impressive The Rock Has 21st Birthday ROCKINGHAM PARK, Salem, N. H., June 22. — The double header, primarily associated with baseball, has been taken over over by by Lou Lou Smith Smith and and over over by by Lou Lou Smith Smith and and with a few embellishments, has become something of a holiday-within - a - holiday in New England. This novel program of racing is usually held on Columbus Day, but because* there will be no fall meeting this year the card has been set for the Fourth of July holiday holiday which which will will be be holiday holiday which which will will be be celebrated on Monday this year. Six races will be presented in the morning, starting at 10:15 a. m., and eight more in the afternoon at the usual 2 p. m. post time. Whole families make a day of it at this pleasant course, with picnic lunches al fresco adjacent to and behind the grandstand and clubhouse. The Brothers Stevens set up tents for the sale of hot dogs, cold drinks and the like, and the entire atmosphere is one of carnival. Racing secretary Eb Pons has tentatively scheduled a ,000 afternoon feature at a mile and a quarter for the handicap horses on the grounds and likely entries include Futuresque, Park Dandy, Larry Ellis, Soldier Son, Roedna, Charleston, Africance and News Again. Bill Hinpliys Countcssina, a handsomely bred three-year-old filly by Count Fleet — Porters Tea, raced for the first time yesterday and impressed on several counts. Hinplsy bought her for 1,000 at the disposal sale of the Sarah Chait string earlier this year and intends to campaign her through the New England season. She ran a good race, attending the victorious shake tenaciously as Avery Brown described it. But Countessina is far more attractive as a prospective broodmare and would command a good price if Hinphy decided to sell her in Kentucky. One of Rockinghams unique features is the kiddieland called Rockinghorse Park, situated at the far end of this plant. Since the area caters to many vacationing families, there are frequently a large number of youngsters on hand and Lou Smith wisely decided they would be safer and enjoy themselves more at a supervised center. Two trained women keep a close eye onheir charges and provide free ice cream, cake, poney and donkey rides. The playground has been enthusiastically received by parents. Around the Track: The Rock celebrated its twenty-first birthday yesterday with a round of picture-taking featuring Louis "Sport" Haymaker, Eddie Legere and Eb Pons. Haymaker, who still conditions with the best of them, saddled a horse in the second race that day; Legere, a noted trainer, was up on a mount in the first race, and Pons, Rockinghams racing secretary, was working for Jim Monroe, who held that post in 1933 Trainer Jimmy OBreys son Bobby phoned his dad last week from Delaware Park after his discharge from the Army. Starter George Palmer, with whom he worked prior to induction, arranged for Bobby to join Waterford Parks gate crew. Young OBrey was stationed at Fort McClennan in Alabama and participated in the atom bomb tests at Frenchmans Flats in Nevada. The new scales in the jockeys quarters that print the results on a slip of paper have been altered so that weight may be read on both sides of the machine. Previously it had been necessary for two men to get one weight. ... Sid Bernstein, the veteran owner-trainer, was taken ill with a virus attack last night and will be out for several days. In his absence Ed Keen will saddle his starters. . . . Mickey Thomas, Bill Hinphys young apprentice, is recovering from the nasty spill he took on April 7 at Lincoln Downs. Thomas is strengthening his right forearm and figures to be active again in a few weeks. . I. J. Whites Represent pulled up lame during the running of the eighth race yesterday and had to be destroyed. . . . Max Forst, the meat and delicatessen king from New York, is here for the remainder of the meeting. ... Royal Indian and Set Cable are back on the grounds following week-end engage* ntj/we_onage Forty-Six New England Notebook By JOE HIRSCH Continued from Page Seven ments at ThistleDown. . . . Keith Stuart has returned to New England from a riding: stint in Chicago. Parnassus left today for his scheduled appearance in the Stars and Stripes Handicap over the turf at Arlington Park in Chicago. Trainer Mike Freeman will follow shortly and jockey Chris Rogers will fly out to ride the local favorite in the rich stake. . . . T. P. Morgan arrived from New York with a pair of horses and reports that his good five-year-old Blue Swords gelding, Grover B., the winner of the New Orleans Cap, who fell and injured himself some time ago, is back in training and should be ready for the races in several weeks.
