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On the Wire ■ By Hugh J. McGuire Relieve Tax Burden on Downstate Tracks Views Vary on Nashua-Swaps Match Event Tomlinson Buys Quality to Build Stable WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, 111., June 9.— Governor William G. Stratton, of Illinois, and his administration were being lauded here today for insti-. gating tax relief for the two down- state tracks, Fail-mount Park and Cahokia Downs, situated near St. Louis. The legislation, which has the approval of the Illinois Racing Board, is expected to cut from state revenue some 00,000, which will be turned over to the tracks, and much of the sum is expected to find its way into advanced purses for horsemen. The new formula will permit the state to nof ?fc iimiqI oiv nov font on Tiro T_ ering in excess of 00,000, .but under that figure will take only four per cent, with the difference going to the tracks. Race tracks have too long been looked upon as never-drying wells for excessive taxation, and it is refreshing to. find a more sensible approach to the situation, even though it has been hinted that the two tracks in question were in danger of being forced to • cease operation, in which case revenue to the state from tracks in that area would have ceased completely. . Prospects of Race Causes Excitement This course is buzzing over the prospects of a match race here betwen William Woodward, Jr.s playboy, Nashua, and Rex Ellsworths competent Swaps. While negotiations for the encounter are only in the talking stages, the meeting date is tentatively set for "ttiis course late in August and for a winner-take-all prize of 5,000. Horsemen take varying views of match races. Some hold that they prove little or nothing and all too frequently result in near-fiascos. Others take the attitude that two rivals meet under conditions suitable for both and race without danger of interference that could result in excuses or alibis and that the best horse usually is declared the winner. There are so many pitfalls to which the contestants are susceptible before they can be brought together that conjecture on the outcome at this early date would be futile. Despite opposing views, the possibility of the meeting between two great horses always arouses interest and excitement that goes a step farther even than the running of great classics in that it reaches a segment of the public not contacted through regular channels. Ben Lindheimer points out that from this group can come converts to the sport. Either through misconceptions or bad advice, too many recruits to the ranks of horse owners find themselves with a stable of nondescripts and either quit in disgust or. are compelled to rebuild. Although he was no newcomer to the sport when he decided to expand his holdings, Joe Tomlinson, the successful contractor from Oakville, Ontario, made his move in the right direction with the purchase of fashionable young stock whose bloodlines carried every promise of development into stakes quality racers. To balance the stable with older horses, Tomlinson went abroad to purchase proven runners which are not readily available in this country. The results of the Tomlinson strategy are now beginning to be made known. Quartered here under the guidance of trainer. James S. Jones is the main division of the Tomlinson string and the American-breds are well known from infancy to Jones, who passed on the purchases. Selected as weanlings and before Nasrullah had gained the eminence he now holds, are the colts Homeplace and Dehav Dove by that sire. Homeplace is from Blue Grass and is a brother to Blue Ruler and in him Jones believes that he lias "the makings" of a top colt. Jones calls him a lazy youngster who does not yet know quite what is expected of him. In his refusal to take things seriously, the colt apparently has some of the qualities displayed by Nashua. • Regards Dehav Dove Impressive Colt Dehav Dove also impresses Jones as a good colt. He has been brought along slowly, a process lengthened by a second bucking of shins and it is hoped to have him ready for his racing debut during the Arlington meeting, where he has designs on that tracks futurity. He is from Black Wave and is a half-brother to the Kentucky Derby winner, Jet Pilot. The filly, Guard Rail, is by Ambiorix, from Tides, who is a full sister to Jet Pilot. She is a first foal, and Jones is so impressed with her that he approved the recent purchaseof her year- ling full brother from Claiborne Farm. Although Guard Rail has been a winner and has placed in stakes, Jones believes that her true worth has not yet been exhibited. Sheepsfoot, a filly by Count Fleet — Banish, is a full sister to Count Cain. Her training has also been retarded bybucked shins, but Jones is hopeful of having her ready for the Arlington Park meeting. Other two-year-olds in the stable include Compactor, Gravel Base and Low Bidder, none of whom have yet started. The two top imports in the Tomlinson menage are Marshall Ney and Eubulides, who are. four and three, respectively. Neither has yet started in this country, but both bring excellent records from abroad. Marshall Ney ran afoul of the starter because of his reluctance to enter the starting gate, but it is understood his behavior is improving. Jones believes that his trouble is that he is ticklish, and when he strikes the side of the starting gate he tries to lie down to get away from it. , -
