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" . Canada Racing Trend Up At Duff erin Park By FRANK ARMSTRONG TORONTO, Ont.. May 13— After the first ten days of the new Canadian racing season, Dufferin Parks gate and total mu- . . tuel tuel figures figures show show a a . . tuel tuel figures figures show show a a 1 reasonable increase f over the previous year. e On two Saturdays the - - turnstiles counted more than 15,000 patrons, which approximates a full house at the bandbox half -miler. The handle on both days exceeded 00,000. On three days the handle fell slightly slightly below below 00,000, 00,000, slightly slightly below below 00,000, 00,000, " a figure which was topped on the other days. Obviously business is good and boss-man Fred Orpen is eminently satisfied. Invariably when Orpen runs down the figures, he remarks; "Good but could be better." Until now, this department considered it a facetious exclamation. But Orpen is serious and you understand his viewpoint when he talks in terms of better racing. His good business results for the most part from competition in the lower classes. It is sound reasoning therefore, to think that it would be so much better if the middle class and upper bracket performers were more active. He ordered racing secretary Simms to write a moderately ambitious book and scale purse values upward from the minimum in keeping with the class of horses. Simms has had to call off more races than he has run from the original book. [ Three handicaps and several allowance races, in addition to higher priced claim-j era were cancelled for lack of sufficient entries. Because the track is narrow and and abrupt turns are hazardous for horses and riders, fields are restricted to eight starters. There is credence to the supposition that wagering will be higher on eight horses of the lower class than on five horses of better class, thus Orpen is Justified in expecting the greatest possible number of eight-horse fields. No one expects him to operate a track through altriusm. Early season racing in this sector, particularly if it follows a backward training season, always poses problems. Because of an abundance of lesser lights, races can be filled to the 0 full quota, but patrons prefer and would extend more material support to any • other division. Horsemen, who are willing to run their horses, are disappointed s when races fail to fill. There are com-o plaints that there are too many earning d opportunities for the cheaper horses. In-x deed it is a complex situation. But, 0 where on earth will you find completely at •t satisfied turfmen on both sides of the s fence? n * We understand Orpen proposed that when races valued above the minimum i purse were cancelled, the over money ;" should be added only to races of equal is lS classification when they are filled out and in n not to minimum purses of substitute races. r The plan was not quite in keeping with an d HBP A policy of having the total purse distribution for any one day dissolved on the in n same day it is offered, accordingly horses a entered to run for the minimum may pick c- up a few hundred dollars extra. There has as Is been some criticism of the clause which re- e stricts eligibility to earn ,500 claiming l* races to horses which are the property of ;~ Canadian owners. The restriction is meant " to curtail numbers of the category and in up P a measure it serves the purpose, at least LS as a preventive to a greater over abund- ■- ances of cheapsters if the races were open- iT ed up. Some owners and trainers advocate the elimination of the clause in cer- of » tain allowance races which confine starters ■" qualifying as non-winners since a 1954 ™ date. They complain that winners at win- ~ ter and spring meetings south of the border ~ are eliminated and thus class suffers. We have no doubt that racing will r prosper despite all of these mentioned n difficulties. Orpen terms them his head- aches and asserts that if anyone cares to A. buy them theyre for sale. Incidentally, de * i Orpen has had several offers to sell his n racing interests. He informs us that he |° is willing to pack up a deal at his price. de According to the price which may be pro--• D. hibitive, he is not anxious to retire. Horsemen in particular and local racing fans are showing increased interest in the year it was said that training progress would be slow because of a backward season. Seems that such thoughts were r_ " mere -supposition. It has been many a at year since so many plate hopes uncovered , so much speed. Admittedly trainers have ~ not yet asked their charges for serious trials beyond six furlongs. But, in these by Continued om Page Forty -Six , . i : ■ to !_ ~ " J ;_ . ,. on a n in in n £ ,_ a Canadian Topics j By FRANK ARMSTRONG ] P Continued from Page Eight shorter tests horses are literally burning up the racing strip much to the I pleasure of hopeful owners. Five furlongs spins close to the minute mark no longer surprise the dockers. They standp the splits and opine "could have beat-* en that time without trouble." The name and the time goes on to the tab with thev notation "handily." There are a dozen or more Queens Platers showing this kind of speed, no one in particular assuming stand - out proportions. Those training at Long Branch are keeping in step with the .speed,, artists at Woodbine. If there is an exception from the list of leaders, it is W. A. Moffatts Loyalist, future favorite who has -been training over Dufferin Parks half mile strip, which "is scarcely conducive tot speed. It is altogether likely that he will take status with the speed merchants when he moves on to Woodbine. The first Plate* Trial on Wednesday, May 25, is assured of a large entry list and probably split divi- sions. From there on as the training tem-n po is stepped up the ranks will becomej slimmer. As always, some of the precious* performers of the moment will be found j wanting in the final test of speed plusJ stamina. I
