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. LsshMBHM. Ak-Sdr-Ben -By Hugh J. McGuire Revamp Method of Compiling Daily Cards More Opportunities for Younger Horses Trainers and Fans Approve Mcintosh Plan AK-SAR-BEN, Omaha, Nebr., June 2.— A revamped method of compiling the daily race programs here was put into effect by racing secretary Kenneth W. Mcintosh xncosn when when he he assumed assumed that that . xncosn when when he he assumed assumed that that position for this meeting and its acceptance is manifested by two sets of crowds. The first group are the patrons who shattered attendance figures on Memorial Day. The second is the throng of horsemen who fill the office of the racing secretary each morning in their eagerness to enter their horses. Perhaps the best proof of the success of the Mcintosh intosh method method is is found found in in that that intosh method method is is found found in in that that LsshMBHM. * of the 96 races written for the 12 days of the meeting, only three failed to draw sufficient -entries to permit the races to be run. This is more remarkable when it is considered that the conditions were drafted as early as last November and thatit is Mcintoshs first year on this job. The change in presentation of races is not of a major * nature either and is designed chiefly to give younger horses more opportunities to run and establish themselves in their own age divisions. In former years, most of the races were fashioned for three-year-olds and upward. Mcintosh has changed many of these to permit three-year-olds to run against those of their own age and fashioned most of the other races for four-year-olds and upward. With justification, horsemen have always hesitated to race three-year-olds against older rivals, particularly early in the year. The separation of these divisions makes for better and stiffer rivalry in both divisions. Excellent Chance to Develop Sophomores The plan does more than that. Horsemen with three-year-olds of better quality are encouraged to send their entire stables to an area where their younger charges "will have opportunity to develop and prove themselves. As a result, there is a general uplifting of the caliber of the sport. Any well-regulated stable will include young horses to be used as replacements for aging members and there is always the chance that a young*horse will develop into something special, if not a champion. The Mcintosh method also applies to two-year-old in that it encourages more races for these youngsters. The application at Ak-Sar-Ben is not new for Mcintosh tried is successfully over several years at Oak-lawn Park. There he overcame opposition to promote more races for juveniles and now has a program that brings these youngsters up to some prominent races for important purse money with no loss in revenue to the track. Mcintosh also favors the plan of writing these top races so that preference in them goes to winners. While the success of the plan has been immediate, Mcintosh believes that its full value is not realized in the first year of operation. He points out that the public becomes attracted to younger horses of accomplishment much after the manner in which they return to see a spectacular young baseball player. More important, is that owners are encouraged to own and develop new stock which guarantees them a well-balanced stable for the future with the ever-present chance to get a "runner." Needless to say, the operation finds favor with the breeding industry. Overnight Series Leading to Handicaps The changing of race conditions here extends from the top races right on down through the lowliest claimer. While the 0,000 added Ak-Sar-Ben Handicap was permitted to remain for three-year-olds and upward, the ,000 Omaha Handicap now is confined to sophomores. It is the schedule of overnight handicaps that the changes are more pronounced. ♦These are a series of eight ,000 handicap races. From the three-year-old and upward status, four of these races now are fashioned for four-year-olds and upward, arid four are confined to three-year-olds exclusively. These races are planned to sift out "the prospective fields for the climactic Ak-Sar-Ben and Omaha handicaps at the end of the meeting. In Brief: Mrs. Helen G. Hyde, owner of High Heaven and Cash Money, who are trained by C. E. Brown, Jr., arrived from her Phoenix home and plans to remain throughout the meeting. . . . Ben Fogelson, who makes his home in Lincoln, Nebr„ is a daily visitor. His Bowling Stable, which is racing here, is trained by Max Johnston. . . . Jockey Sonny Ray Williams, presently leading the riders here, was forced to cancel his remaining mounts of the afternoon, when he suffered a painful bump on the ankle at the starting gate for the fourth race on Tuesday, while astride Colorado Stables Silvery. Williams resumed riding Wednesday. -. . . Bob Frink is agent in charge here for tattooing, fingerprinting and other TRPB duties. . . . The racing career of the two-year-old filly, Dorothy R., was short. In her first start on Tuesday the daughter of O. K, Mullen-r-Lucky Elsie broke an ankle and had to be destroyed. She was owned by the partnership of F. H* Bruning and L. A. Snyder. . . . Apprentice Wayne Chambers resumed riding after a 10-day suspension. The engagement book for the leading rider at Fonner Park is handled* by Floyd Williams.
