Connors Corner: Aqueduct Plant May be Remodelled Froelich is Studying Architecture L. I. Track Accessible for Patrons, Daily Racing Form, 1954-06-26

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CONNORS CORNER By Chuck Connors AQUEDUCT, L. I., N. Y., June 25. It is quite possible that New Yorkers may see a remodelled Aaueduct before loner, but so far it is a hush hush secret but there are signs that indicate that something is brewing. Arthur Froelich, the man responsible for the new track at Hollywood, Calif., has been snooping around for the past week, armed with a camera, taking pictures here and there and giving the entire grounds a real going over. Froelich came on from the coast unannounced and started his observations in the guise of a spectator. He sought out the bottlenecks, the cul de sacs and other de-. fects in the grandstand and clubhouse and is making daily reports to the top level echelons. It was also learned that the plans Afeich were drawn up by "Brick" Martin HPi Laurel a couple of years ago to remodel the racing strip have been resurrected from the archives and given further close study. AAA It was learned that Aqueduct this winter will not be host to its usual colony of thoroughbreds, a further warning that chances are under contemplation and might be made. However the top echelons readily admit that a new Aqueduct is under consideration but nothing definite has been arrived at. The local grounds in another year or so will be more accessible to New York patrons than any of the present day racing centers. The City of New York will take complete title to the Rockaray branch of the Long Island Railroad before long, the Rockaway Beach trestle destroyed by fire a couple of years ago is being rebuilt by the city and this and the connecting links at or near Long Island City merging the two systems will be effected before long. AAA In addition Aqueduct is accessible to the vast Long Island parkway system that offers an easy flow of traffic, at good speeds, from the upper reaches of the metropolis and Connecticut. Anyway as the boys said a long time ago where there is smoke "there must be fire. The presence of architect Froelich, and the resumed study of the Martin plan to broaden the entire racing strip by moving the backstretch back some 120 feet, thus eliminating the sharp turns bodes something for the future, but no. one will name the future date. Aqueduct Plant May Be lemodelledi Froelich Is Studying Architecture L . Track Accessible for Patrons Irving Gushen of the HBPA was among yesterdays visitors. He came up from Monmouth Park where he attended several sessions of the NASRC convention held at Asbury Park . . . Ralph Mcllvain was present yesterday and said that he was on the lookout for horses to campaign this year . . . Jockey Eddie Arcaro said, yesterday that he will ride Evening Out, owned by Mrs. George D. Widener, in the New Castle Handicap at Delaware Park . . . Jack Cooper of the National Steeplechase and Hunts Association said yesterday that a new starting point, effective on Monday, for the about one and three-quarter mile hurdle races will be made from the finish line side of the final jump which is between the sixteenth pole and the 70 -yard pole markers. AAA C. T. Chenery said yesterday that he will have 19 yearlings to ready for racing next year. Eleven are homebreds and eight were acquired from A. B. Hancock. Mr. Chenery is disposing of some of his broodmares at his Doswell, Va., farm and they will be replaced by younger stock of exceptional breeding lines . . . Merlin Fife rode his first steeplechase race at Tiajuana about 12 years ago, or so said Mrs. Dooley yesterday. Fife previously had ridden quarter horses then turned his activities to the flat performers and then the leppers . . . Mrs. E. Farish of the Lazy F Ranch, accompanied by her daughter," Mrs. R. L. Gerry, were on hand to witness the Amagansett Steeplechase . . . Trainer J. Bowes Bond shipped Brazen Brat, owned by Mrs. Samuel Pistorio up from New Jersey for her Distaff Handicap engagement -on Monday . . . Stephen "Laddie" Sanford, accompanied by Mrs. Sanford, were present yesterday to witness their Oneda perform in the Amagansett . . . Stepper Upper, who races for Thomas F. Corcoran, will be shipped here for her Distaff Handicap engagement. AAA Mrs. Elizabeth Graham Lewis, mistress of Maine Chance Farm, was a clubhouse visitor yesterday ... Ed Pert, the publicity man at Scarborough Downs up Portland, Me., is headed here on missionary work. That meeting is to open on July 19 and runs well into September . . . The early arrivals this morning watched with interest as a couple of bird trappers made numerous efforts to snare a parakeet. The pet .eluded the pitfalls by hopping about the steel superstructure supporting the roof. The general opinion was that the visitor was AWOL from a neighborhood home Trainer John B. Partridge reported that the Spring Hill Farms Jamie K. was returned to his Belmont home. He finished second in a grass race at Monmouth. AAA , Jerry Brady returned from Asbury Park where he attended several sessions of the NASRC convention . . . Frank Stevens, the president of the Stevens Crabbing and Fishing Association, was on hand yesterday to report that a good time was had by all at the recent dinners tendered the visiting dignitaries at the Asbury Park convention . . . Track superintendent Lennie Litwak is a firm believer in exercise. Each evening following the completion of his chores at the local strip, he adjourns to his home. There, stripped down to blue shorts and a teeshirt, he pushes a hand lawn mower for about an hour or so. He is not a believer in motor driven appliances, of which Aqueduct has quite a few, when it comes to mowing his personal pride and joy, a greensward about the size of a night club dance floor.


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