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Divides Operation Into Three Divisions Weatherford divides the operation of a race track roughly into three divisions. These are the racing secretary and affiliated activities, the personnel, which reaches the proportions of a huge industry, and public relations. He believes . that there is a tremendous responsibility on the part of management everywhere to convince the public that a good job is being done to elevate the sport. There are still many things to be done and it is necessary to get the coordinated efforts of all tracks to accomplish them. Just one example quoted was the failure of racing to present a united front to oppose unjust legislation. Commenting on the immediate success of the Balmoral at Washington meeting, Weatherford has hopes .that this coordinated operation may spread even farther in the Chicago area so that horsemen will be offered as many as 132 days of continuous sport under a program of such high standards .that it will lure even more of the best stables of the country. Attracting considerable attention here among horsemen is the announcement from the ThistleDown Jockey Club of the first running of the ThistleDown Marathon on Saturday, July 22, at two miles. The race will be a handicap for three-year-olds and up which have started for a claiming price of ,000 or less in 1955 and the weights are not to exceed 122 pounds. The novel attraction carries a prize of 0,000 with no nomination or starting fees, and the field will be limited to 14 starters. To accomplish this end, the management of ThistleDown has stipulated that the entries will be by invitation only, and horsemen are requested to make inquiries as to eligibility of their charges. It is our understanding that after a study of the prospects from the various racing centers, the ThistleDown management will tender invitations to two horses from each district. The prospect for inter-sectional rivalry and interest in such a race is good.
