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Delaware By Charles Hatton Delaware Film Patrol Now Last Word Stewards Can Review Races in 3 Minutes Biographical Sketch of Russell Downes DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 11.— Many photographers have imagination, but Delawares Lester Bernd combines originality with a profound technologi cal skiii. .tie was me iirst to perfect the nearest thing to a three dimensional film patrol projection, synchronizing head on and side view movies of the races, so that there never need be any question of whether one horse shut off another. He now has minimized the delays which sometimes follow investigations of foul claims, thanks to a new coaxial cable film patrol system for the stewards at this meetiner. The of ficials now may review the running of a race by way of a closed TV circuit, flashed to them in their booth. This obviates the necessity for the patrons to wait until they have descended from their vantage point to the projection room in the paddock. Bernd, head of the clubs film patrol and photographic department a staff of about 30, has worked with experts of the duPont company to perfect a revolutionary new film and technique, which has resulted in an actual film processing time reduced to 48 seconds! The film can be ready for projection within three minutes after the finishes and flashed on the stewards screen high in the stands. There are six film patrol towers here, situated at strategic points about the track. The transfer of the films from the processing device to the closed TV circuit requires only 25 seconds. The stewards use electrical controls to stop, reverse or re-run the pictures, as they consider it necessary. Direct Phone Contact With Jockeys The Stanton stewards have another advantage, in that they are able to interview jockeys in the event of an objection by means of three telephones to the scale pit, where the riders who are involved remain pending the deliberation. Bernd feels that the new coaxial cable film, patrol system here is a definite advance, and adds "at some tracks; the races are televised directly for the stewards benefit and the TV picture recorded on films. Scanning lines visible in television are unavoidably transferred to the film and make for an imperfect picture. I prefer to get good pictures on film originally for a permanent copy, then make use of the TV circuit." A recent foul claim here at Delaware Park was dismissed so quickly that the fans got the impression the stewards did not bother to wait for the film inspection. This was not the case. The films were flashed on the TV screen soon after the jockeys dismounted and it was readily ascertained that no actual foul had been committed. Several columns ago, we got going on the Alger boy story of Tom Kelly, the young man who so ably handles the Dan Rices racing string. Even more fantastic is the story of Russell Downes, who is here with John McShains unbeaten two-year-old Pollys Jet named for the McShains young daughter Polly , who is pointing for the Christiana Stakes. Downes is 47 and is a product of the chase and show horse set of Westchester, in the environs of "the Quaker City." Originally, he was interested in oil, cracking oil per se, and he has a degree as an engineer from Pennsylvania State. This highly specialized metier took him to far distant lands, in Belgium, indeed all over Europe, and to South America. Immediately after the war, he bought a brace of Calumet castoffs and decided to set out on his own as an owner and trainer. Unfortunately, neither was any such "diamond in the rough" as Sunshine Nell, and he perforce resumed in the oil fields. Last October, Downes learned that Johnny McShain who built the Pentagon was casting about for a trainer. With his customary forthrightness, Downes, who had never met McShain and had no recommendations as a conditioner, asked for and received an appointment to discuss the position. More remarkably, McShain hired him on the spot. He has never had an occasion to feel he made a mistake. Hdrtack Presses Shoemaker For Honors Turf ana: Delaware Park almost certainly may boast the presence of the leading rider of America, to this point in the season, during the week ahead. Willie Har-tack, who is going to Chicago, as we noted several weeks ago, will, resume here Monday and be active throughout the ensuing six days. As of Saturday morning he had ridden 169 winners, and was within five of the compilation rolled up by Willie Shoemaker, now "grounded" in California. . . . Ted Atkinson ranks third with 113 winners. . . . The new film patrol here is jocosely referred to as "Delawares secret weapon." . . . Owing to a typo the conditions for the Leonard Richards provided that winners of 0,000 in 56 must carry four pounds extra. You can imagine the hilarity. . . . Lou Pondfield reports ThistleDown business enthusiastically "up." . . . The English Jockey Club has commended John Schapiro upon his development of the International. A panel will select 10 prospective British invitees for the next renewal. . . . People who fancy Nashua favors Johnstown just have not seen Nasrullah, nor Sayajirao nor Krakatao and others of his male line. . . . Jouett Shouse, former chairman of " the Democratic National Committee, was on hand for the Leonard Richards. . . . Willie duPont customarily watches Delaware Park races from the mound, adapted from a French course, at the lower end of the clubhouse here. It is a favorite vantage point for trainers, swipes and exercise boys. ■ t » f c v i t i -r * * it
