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, ,: 1 — JM River Downs I By YV. A. Cruse — — Attendance and Play Up Over 1954 Meet Increase of 69,853 for First 9 Days Track Record-Holders Seeing Action RIVER DOWNS, California, Ohio, June 7. — This picturesque plant which overlooks the beautiful Ohio River and has the hills of Kentucky in the background is is definitely definitely coming coming into into its its own own , ,: is is definitely definitely coming coming into into its its own own , right with the cream of racing in this state. The comparable figures of 1954 and 1955, for the first nine days, indicate that for an overall operation, the new River Downs, Inc., will show many advancements. During the first nine days of the 1954 meeting, the attendance was 47,964 against 52,019 this year. The handle shows a proportionate increase crease also also with with ,193,673 ,193,673 against against crease also also with with ,193,673 ,193,673 against against 1 — JM ,563,526 this year, a gain so lar of 69,853. With this in view, president and general manager Leon A. Slavin instructed racing secretary Lawrence C. Bogenschutz to make the minimum purse ,300 against the ,200 which was in the first edition of the condition book. . . . The total purse distribution to date has been 06,700 this year against 9,100 of last year, for a gain of 17 per cent. • An interesting note regarding several "of the contestants which have appeared at this track show they hold several track records around the country. Hedges, and Boleks Okamsel, for one, holds the mile and three-sixteenths record at Monmouth Park at Oceanport, New Jersey. This Okapi gelding toured the distance m 1:59% for the record on June 20, 1951. He also holds a record for a mile and three-eighths at Cranwood Park. . . . The Arbywood Stables Lonoke Flash holds two records, one for a half mile and the other for five furlongs at Oaklawn Park, at Hot Springs, Arkansas. . . . H. K. Stevens Gushing Oil is the holder of the mile and one-eighth record at the same course. ... The Midwest Stables Overexposed set a record at Atlantic City for the mile and one-sixteenth, negotiating the distance in 1:42%. Beauchamp Pays Visit to Track Emerson Beauchamp, attorney general for the state of Kentucky, was a visitor to this course over the week end. The prosecutor was accompanied by Mrs. Beauchamp. . . . Newmarket Maid, the property of E. Kitchen and Doug Davis, Jr., made her second outing over this course a winning one. In garnering the winners share of a maiden filly event, and as the l-to-2 favorite, she was the first of the famous Citations get to grace the charmed circle. . . . Jockey Jack ChestnuC who piloted her said that she ran a bit greenly, but that she also lost a hind shoe in the running. The .00 win mutuel was the shortest of the meeting. The Cuvier Press Club will have their annual day at River Downs on June 8. . . . The club, made up of prominent men in business in this city, traditionally set aside one day of the River Downs meeting to be guests of the management. . . . Among their guests will be Miss Jane Lynn of Station" WLW, Miss Barbara Cameron of WKRC, Miss Marti Kay of WKRC, also Mr. and Mrs. "Music" the popular George and Mary Case, of station WSAI and Dotty Mack, Robert Braun and Colin Male of WCPO. . . . Escorts for the group will be Earl L. Boerging, William Maynard and Harry Beckman. Three Riders Join Jockey Colony Slash Six, a five-year-old Breathing Time — Viola offspring and the property of L. W. Knudson, died of pneumonia last night. Trainer F. A. Stehr, Jr., had the campaigner out of action since April 25, when he last raced at Sportsmans Park in Chicago. . . . F. N. Berry, one of the regulars at this meeting as an owner-trainer combination, traded First Mission and Highland Dream to C. H. Young for Whirl Off and Porzo. . . . Recent arrivals in the jockey colony include R. L. Belanger, C. B. McDonald and William Curtin. . . . Apprentice E. Pratt, a maiden jockey, who had a few mounts at the Ascot Park meeting also checked in. Abraham H. Livingstone has the lads contract. Kentucky Day, traditionally one of the highlights of a meeting at this course, will be scheduled for Wednesday, June 15. Racing secretary Larry Bogenschutz hopes -to card at least one or two events for Kentucky-breds. . . . Dick Bray, popular sportscaster, has been a frequent visitor to the press stand. Dick was accompanied by the senior Mr. Bray the last time and the elderly gentleman stated that the "figures held up well." An astute handicapper, he was seen at one of the cashier windows frequently throughout the afternoon. . . . The jockeys have organized a softball team. George Patrick Ryan is the captain of the team and a game is scheduled tonight at the local California, Ohio, diamond with the agents. Sunday they play the "5 Corners Social Club" at the American Legion diamond at Latonia, Ky., just across the river from Cincinnati. The "Millers" are well represented at this meeting. Frank Miller is the clerk of scales. . . . Peter R. Miller is the director of public relations and Ronald Miller is assistant clerk of scales. "Ron" also is one of the attaches in Larry Bogenschutz office. Frank, the uncle of Ron, makes his home in Cicero, 111. Personable gents, all. William C. Mulvihill, special events director, has reservations from the Cincinnati Club members for Wednesday of next week and the American Bar Association for the same day. . . . Lloyd Wright, the president of the latter association and a former chairman of the California Racing Commission, will present
