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i 1 Detroit 1 — By Don Fair : J MRA Daily Program Has Two Innovations Diagrams Show Starting Point for Race Elementary Information for Newcomers DETROIT RACE COURSE, Lavonia, Mich., June 6. Patrons of the Detroit Race Course have discovered a couple of new touches in the daily program and, be-■ i cause cause the the improvements improvements are are cause cause the the improvements improvements are are simple and useful, it wouldnt be surprising to see other tracks adapt them. At the top of each program page"that lists a race there now is a small engraving of the outline .of the track, showing the mile oval with its chutes for three-quarters and one and one-quarter miles. Inside the drawing is printed, in bold type, the distance of the particular race — six furlongs, furlongs, or or one one and and one one-half -half 1 furlongs, furlongs, or or one one and and one one-half -half miles, or mile and 70 yards, as it happens to be. Drawn on the outline of the track itself is a small double line to show the position of the starting gate for that particular race. The finish line is marked with a tiny single line. The whole engraving is less than an inch wide and half an inch deep and it fits neatly beside the small type that described the conditions of the race. But it replaces the tiny, almost-hidden line of six-point type that in most-programs is all there is to state the length of the race, and it provides this information in a way that is easy to read. Offering the location of the starting gate is a service that newcomers to the sport particularly appreciate — and come to think of it, just where is the starting gate when they go one and three-eighths miles? Supplementing the useful little sketches is a new page, "reading the program." This explains the sketch and offers other elementary information that would be of interest. For instance, it tells that the track is a mile around, measured three feet from the rail; that a "furlong" is one-eighth of a mile; that the striped vertical poles, with different colors, mark varying distances from the finish line, and it clarifies "maiden," "claiming race," allowance race," and "stakes race." All of it, of course, is elementary stuff for an older horse player, but is invaluable to strangers who should be encouraged to understand racing so theyll want to come back again. Saturday Feature Proved Interesting The Mechanical Day Purse last Saturday afternoon brought together a field of seven quick racers at one mile, and it resulted in a well-deserved victory "for Marion H. VanBergs Knights Reward, one of the best horses on the grounds. The Nebraska-owned gelding, a six-year-old son of Reaping Reward and Poochanelli, scored by slightly less than two lengths over Mrs. George C. Whites Speed O Light.while Grissom Stables By Far ran third. Almar Stables Easy Paddy and Buhl Stables Second Avenue, 1953 Michigan Mile hero, turned in fair performances, • but neither could seriously threaten the leaders. Knights Reward, successful in a pair of Chfcago engagements before shipment to the Motor City, stepped the eight furlongs over the fast track in 1:37% under 117 pounds. His time was just one-fifth of a second off Son Charlies record and certainly was the most impressive performance of the current Detroit meeting. Speed O Light, roughed a bit going into the first turn, gave an unusually game effort, undoubtedly earning himself a starting berth in this years edition of the Mile. Seasoned observers pointed out that the White gelding also shouldered 117 pounds and that he was forced to race wide through the stretch. With the Michigan Mile renewal set for" July 9, Knights Reward, Speed O Light, By Far and Second Avenue found the Mechanical Day Purse a useful preparatory test for the rich stake. Fair Facts: The Michigan division of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association election last week end was hotly contested from flagwall to finish. William O. Bridge was returned victor over Mrs. Audrey Gabel for the presidentcy. Owner-committeemen named in the balloting are Leo Hertsberg, James E. Wilson, Robert Flyrin, Charles White, and alternate Carney Matheson. Owner-trainer committeemen for the next year are Charles .Kranz, Frank Grand, Sr., George White, Marion VanBerg, Raymond Grundy, Walter Coleman, and alternate Tremon McDermott. . . . Thiscorner passes along clocker Charles Browns yarn about the elderly trainer giving riding instructions to a veteran race rider in the Churchill Downs paddock. The grizzled turfman said: "Now son! Take a hold of this mare leaving the gate, but dont take too tight a hold. She is none too bold." Brownie, now on duty at Omahas Ak-Sar-Ben meeting, will be back in the Blue Grass for the Keeneland and Derbytown autumn season. Many Week-End Visitors to Motor City Oval Mrs. Helen Swyler, Mrs. E. M. Johnson and the Johnson youngsters, Patsy and Diane, motored from New Orleans for a visit with Mr. Johnson and the Charles F. Wagners. . . . Mrs. Hazel Coleman, whose Air Battle, Wolf Dog and Lush Lie are quartered in her husbands stable, came in from the Coleman home in Louisville and she will remain for the balance of the Wolverine State season. . . . Frankie Grand, Jr., is looking after the engagement books of apprentice John Tracey and jockey Dudley Vandenborre, who escaped with a shaking up after .being thrown from Broadway Stables Menthappy beyond the finish of the eighth race Saturday. Menthappy struck a horses heels immediately after passing the wife and, stumbling badly, tossad Vandenborre.
