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On the Trot L — — Br MORRIE KURLANSK Y 1 Minnie Jean in Free-for-AII Class Made Climb From B Class in Month Darn Safe in Tonights Trot Feature SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., June 10. — -Minnie Jean, without doubt the most improved pacer in Chicago this season, within B class to junior free-for-all, the second highest classification. Beaten only a length by Bonnie Pete in her seasonal bow in an 18 class early closing event, the brown filly next defeated Bombers Delight in 2:07%, took the measure of BB class opponents in 2:05% LWU weetLb later aim last Friday crowned her racing career with a splendid 2:03% victory over Newtown Girl and Kenny J. in an A class pace. Undaunted by the off -track, Minnie Jean encountered little trouble in turning back such highly regarded rivals as the Detroit invader -Russet Hal, Bonnie Pete, Winifred and Victory Melody as well as seasons champion Annette Tass. For Howard Beissinger, Minnie Jean rounded out a triple score as his mount in the second race, Deacon Lee, was declared" the winner when Scotty F„ who had his neck in front at the wire, was disqualified for breaking in the last few strides. . .The first division of the 16 class stake saw two different heaj winners. Pastime Mazzy garnering the first trip at odds of 25-to-l, while the unpredictable Little Ralph on the jump in the initial dash stayed flat the second time out and came from behind to beat valiant New- 4si*«r» in 41ia lie! civtoDlltn Fast class trotters will have a rendezvous in Saturdays featured event at Sportsmans Park. Although Darn Safe, Hayes Fair Acres Stables outstanding four-year-old free-for-all star he is currently holder of the seasons record for age and gait with his 2:04% mile at Maywood Park while his full brother Lord Steward is the fastest aged trotting gelding thus far in 1955 lias been entered for the ,000 mile dash and will have the assistance of stablemate i Pronto Boy. The race drew eight other entries, among them Belvidere combination of Taylor Ridge and Little Steve. Chicago Downs mutuel manager Bob Hart again utilizes the full capacity of the Sportsmans Park tote board with the result that in early closing events with more than the customary eight starters, ■10 betting numbers are available. If a field has more than 10 starters, horses carrying No. 10 and higher will be grouped in the mutuel field. If- asked what qualities a trotter or pacer has to possess in order to be called a good horse, most experts would include the ability of racing well over a pasteboard surface and an off-track, too. During the first three racing nights at Sportsmans Park, when the track increasingly got muddier and the slop acquiring almost a viscosity like that of glue, the durable standardbreds had plenty of opportunity to show of what theyre made. Up to a very few seasons ago, so-called mudders were practically unknown in harness racing as most programs were called off if it rained. However, modern methods in preparing and maintaining a. raceable surface at night harness tracks, have made it possible for the sulky pullers to start even under extremely adverse weather conditions as long as there are facilities for the public to keep dry. The rain-or-shine policy at Sportsmans Park by now is an established fact and probably the only ones that sooner would stay in the barn on a rainy night than race are the grooms. Theirs is a hard lot these days at Sportsmans Park. Not only has the horse coming back from the race to be given a thorough bath to wash the dirt off, the task of cleaning, sulkies and the manifold leather equipment and sundry paraphernalia carried by a harness horse is herculean. In recognition of this tremendous amount of extra work required of the. swipes, Jerry Baier, director of racing here, several seasons ago decreed that all drivers and grooms actively engaged on a rainy night will be given special meal tickets free of charge. Although it didnt rain on Wednesday night, a fact that almost doubled the previous nights attendance and sent the wagering total soaring to over the 88,000 mark, track conditions were not much changed over Monday and Tuesday even if the maintenance crew worked extra long and hard. The willingness of horsemen to race under the conditions was exemplary and the featured 16 class pacing stake on account of 20 entries had to be split in two divisions Indiana-owned and -bred Minnie Jean, a four-year-old filly owned by Earl Pogue of Attica, Ind., and driven by Howard Beissinger literally stole the show when the Rip Hanover daughter extended her winning streak to five straight garnering - both heats of her division while racing the "fastest" mile at this meeting, if you like to .make, something out of it. 1 , K
