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. I , 1 "■■l I. . ; Ak-Sar-Ben I By Hugh J. McGuire — Minor Pools Frequently More Than Win Preference for Across-Board Wagering - George Bulcroft Jockeys Room Custodian AK-SAR-BEN, Omaha, Nebr., June 4. — One of the most unusual circumstances in mutuel wagering is commonplace at this course. Quite regularly the show pool pool or or the the place place pool pool is is equal equal in in I , . pool pool or or the the place place pool pool is is equal equal in in amount to the straight pool. It is our information that in most areas the straight pool is more likely to approximate the" sum of the/place and show divisions. Commenting on this unusual situation to veteran mutuels manager Norvin E. Lutz we were •informed that in a lengthy association with mutuels that has taken him from coast to coast, he he had had never never before before found found a a track track he he had had never never before before found found a a track track 1 "■■l at which these conditions prevail. It is not considered unusual here for the place or even the show pool to exceed straight wagering. It was Lutz opinion that the preference of local patrons for combination or across-the-board units was greatly responsible for the situation. He has many more of this type of machine than is usually found in an operation of comparable size. In addition, Lutz pointed out that there is a large, percentage of women in the local crowds and that the fair sex is inclined to patronize the lower windows. The combination tickets here are both in the and 5 units and this department accounts for about 20 per cent of the total wagering. That well-known patron, the bettor, is respon- sible for 31 per cent of the total play. Incidentally, the main line of the mutuel plant here, is maintained in the excellent style that prevails throughout the course and it is equipped with fluorescent lighting and is air-conditioned. Several New Officials at Omaha Racing officials functioning here for the first time include steward Jack S. Young, racing secretary Kenneth W. Mcintosh, starter William Hills, patrol judges Edward Champagne, James West and John Hernandez, and custodian of the jockey room George Bulcroft. This latter job is one of which the public knows very little. It entails the supervision of all jockeys and valets and their silks, boots, laundry, kitchen, baths and reducing equipment. It is sometimes quite a task to keep this operation running smoothly, but Bulcroft has worked for 30 years in jockey rooms and for 20 years has been in charge of them at various courses throughout the country. Bulcroft comes from a family of horsemen. His father was a jockey and trainer and he himself along with several of his brothers were riders. During his career he has seen many famous riders come and go and he worked for such celebrated jockeys as Jimmy Smith* Mack Garner and the redoubtable Earl Sande when that rider rode such Derby winners as Crusader at Fairmount Park and the -old Coney Island track at Cincinnati. More recently he also handled jockey Hank Mills when that mite was the leading rider of the country. Mills now bears no resemblance to a jockey as he goes about his duties as paddock judge at this track. Some 350 multi-colored sets of racing silks here are in charge pi "Whitey" Ballinger. In Brief: Mr. and Mrs. Connie Jordan, of Harrison, Nebr., who have four horses here in charge of Loyal Beavers, reported that their stallion Kings Pawn had died as the result of injuries received in a paddock accident. The 18-year-old tsall.ion was by Royal Min- • strel from a mare by Sir Gallahad HI. and had originally been presented to Jordan, by Otto Bagley . . . Jockey Antonio Roig, who rides an occasional race here when on leave, is stationed at Offutt Air Force base. Roig, who claims New York as home, rode his first winner in 1952 at Hipodromo Nacional at Caracas, Venezuela. His mount was Gypsy H. . . . Emery Dren~ nan has taken over the engagement book of jockey Billy .Powell. Colt Foal Heads Popularity Roster The -most popular thoroughbred in the stable area is a two-month old colt by Fido — Pawnee whose dam died two days after he was born. The youngster is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Brown and he is fed from a bucket, 15 cans of condensed milk every day at three-hour intervals. Consideration is being given to applying for the name Carnation for the youngster . . . Mr. and Mrs. Gus Fonner of Grand Island headed a large delegation of visitors. Fonner Park is named for the distinguished visitor . . . W. L. Dorsey took over the training of his horses from Jasper Hitchcock. The stable includes Big Ox, Speed Service and Gay Lorene . . . Ivar Link has here a division of the stable of C. L. Cray of Atchison, Kans. Trainer John Ker-math has another division in Chicago . . . The recent tally here of V. V. Long, Sr.s Barts Enegry saw that aging gelding become the first horse to win three races at this meeting . . . George Bulcroft, who should know, sees several fine prospective riders among the apprentices who are riding here.
