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FSSSlIi 9 Hk mjJmSm A fill BETWEEN RACES By Oscar Otis HOLLYWOOD PARK, InglewoOd, Calif., June 28. C. Ray Robinsons clarification of the turf plans of Clint Murchison and Sid Richardson of FSSSlIi Texas, Texas, as as originally originally Texas, Texas, as as originally originally outlined in principle in this column some weeks ago, at the HBPA dinner Friday is under close study by the racing world and we might add that the comments to date are overwhelmingly favorable. As for J. Edgar Hoover Hoover heading heading up up Hk mjJmSm A fill Hoover Hoover heading heading up up B0ys inc WOuld be quite something, although we doubt if Hoover would consider any job other than head of the FBI until he retires from government service. Quite a few years ago, Dr. Charles Strub of Santa Anita made Hoover an offer of 00,000 a year to become a racing executive, and at the time, Strub made it clear that while he hoped other tracks would join him in "Hoover hiring project," he was ready to assume the whole responsibility if other tracks did not see it was wisdom to go along. AAA Hoovers reply was to the effect that as flattered as he was with the offer, he felt that he had a bigger job to do for the American people, and that feeling this sense of responsibility to the nation, money was of no consideration. Later, with the formation of the TRPB, Hoover again was offered the top post, and declined again on the same grounds, but did suggest the names of Spencer Drayton and Ed Coffey. This suggestion was accepted. AAA Assuming that Messrs. Murchison and Richardson abtain clearance in Washington for the tax angles on their charity program, and that they go ahead and purchase five or six more tracks, scattered throughout the nation, we understand that these tracks will not be run basically as a "chain" but rather will be individual units, with individual managements. Broad basic principles of operation will be centralized, but each "operating company" which will lease the track from Boys, Inc., will be an autonomous unit. As for management, we do not see how it could be improved upon to any great extent, for the racing leaders of Americas great tracks already have done a magnificent job in turf promotion in the broadest sense. AAA To oversimplify it, such promotion might be described as getting the best competitive Fine Reaction to Texans Plans Outline Del Mars New Methods Details Await Murchison Arrival racing possible by offering the highest purses commensurate with sound business practice and to pamper the public to the greatest degree possible. Such "pampering" which in reality has become a necessity, includes such diverse items as escalators and courteous gatemen and ushers. Nor, as we understand it, would the established charitable programs of other tracks be abandoned in favor of Boys, Inc. Here in California, for instance, the same number of charity days would be raced, and the same, or more, contributions would be made to civic welfare, such as the Community Chest and Red Cross. AAA Murchison will arrive in Southern California late next week, by which time a ruling should be forthcoming from Washington, and a more complete elaboration of the program of Boys, Inc., will be available. Murchison has been in Dallas ever since his first press conference at the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel, at which time he publicly met the turf writers, willingly posed for TV cameras and a myriad of "still photos." However, the man hasbeen in daily contact with the coast by telephone and is up to the minute with every development. Murchisons history in business has been to employ top management in every instance, then step aside and merely see that the operation is efficient, smooth, and conducted in a manner that would justify public confidence. AAA It is not generally known that Murchison is quite familiar with backstretch problems, but he is. For several years, he raced horses here in California of cheap calibre. Few people paid any attention to the stable, least of all the turf writers, for the horses simply did not merit any news or column attention. However, we learn that this stable was a "pilot operation" so to speak, one designed solely to acquaint the Texans with horse racing from the stable standpoint. Murchison said little at the time, but he was a close observer. AAA Here is another "item of. news that is worthy of mention, namely, that events have transpired with such rapidity as to astonish even the Texas sportsmen and philanthropists. We learn that they had little hope of obtaining Del Mar this year, but were fairly confident they could obtain the track by next season. But when their original approach was made, it met with an unexpected favorable reaction, and the deal with Al Hart was closed in exactly five minutes. Purchase of the controlling interest in Del Mar has led, as might be expected, to a flock of good natured quips. One example "The New York Central will build a spur line to Del Mar to get the crowds in from Chicago." Still another one, though, we feel will be silenced for a long, long time. This is , the reference to Del Mar as "Capital Gains Downs," in reference to its having changed hands so many times in the last 10 years. We believe the present ownership is in to stay. AAA It is an open secret that Richardson and Murchison, as well as managing director Walter C. Marty, feel that Del Mar has the greatest potential of any track in America, and that the place will continue to grow and prosper with the fabulous south coast littoral. During our coast to coast travels the last twelve months, we have seen several areas claiming to be the "fastest growing in America" but we doubt if any clearer claim to this boast than the southern reviera. AAA The Saturday feature, the Inglewood Handicap, saw a six-horse field, of which three, Rejected, By Zeus, and High Scud were coupled as the W. J. "Buddy" Hirsch entry. It was only the third time in Hollywood history that a stakes race was run with no show betting. As it turned out, High Scud won the mile and a sixteenth dash by a narrow nose from Curragh King, with the better liked parts of the Hirsch entry, Rejected, highweighj; at 123, and By Zeus, last and next to last, respectively. The outcome was enough to justify the good sense of the stewards in refusing a suggestion advanced on Thursday that it might be a good thing to split up the entry, at least divestingBy Zeus from Rejected and High Scud, in the betting, a thing which is legal and possible in California. However, presiding steward Wendell Cassidy finally put thumbs down on splitting up-the entry on the theory that while it was legally possible, perhaps the best interests of sporting racing would not be served by such a division. In this thinking, we agree 100 per cent and after seeing one such- "split up" in Nevada, we feel the rule, while it might be okay for a few races, in others would lead to acute public un-happiness. Nevada, it might be added, changed the rule the next day after the entry split incident.
