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ThistleDown By J. R. Batty McClarins Maintain Farm at Hanover, Pa. ODonnell Tells of Ascots Improvements Parker May Stay on Circuit for Season THISTLEDOWN, North Randall, Ohio, June 29. Manes and Tales: Mr. and Mrs. Roy McClarin left Tuesday for Hanover, Pa., where they make their home and also maintain a farm for breeding of thoroughbreds and standardbreds. They were here to watch Selinsgrove perform under their green silks in the Ohio Derby on Saturday and this three-year-old nearly scored an upset victory but Traffic Judge came along in the late stages to deny Selinsgrove of the rich pot by a half length. . . . Pete ODonnell, general manager of Ascot Park, located 20 miles from here and scene of a very highly successful 44-day meeting this spring, was a visitor Saturday. He was accompanied by Edward Sheck, Akron, attorney. ODonnell stated that he and Ascots president, Horace Adams are now formulating plans which call for improvements to the grandstand and stabling area at the three-quarter mile plant. The former general manager of Lincoln Fields is going to Flossmoor, Illinois, to spend the July 4th holiday with his wife and daughter. Owner-trainer Al Wellman, who has 14 head under saddle at this meeting, returned from a business trip to New Orleans, La., where he makes his home and races during the winter months at the long Fair Grounds meeting. ... An Ohio racing rule forbids jockeys to ride with spurs. . . . Gail Parker arrived here early this week from New England and made his position clear when he announced he would remain only 10 days if he did not get "lucky." If he "does good" he intends to send for his wife and family and remain on the local circuit for Randall Park and Cranwood. Parker scored . with his second mount when piloting Joe Paolis Appearance, to a clever victory in the second race on Tuesday. Injury Keeps Plesa on Sidelines Jockey Eddie Plesa was sidelined several days because of a minor injury suffered on Saturday while riding Beau Black in the fifth race. He canceled his remaining mounts on the week end card and" also his commitments on Mondays program. Three horses Plesa was scheduled to ride Monday were winners. . . . Elmer Vickers, Jr., general manager at Randall Park, next door from here and slated to follow this meeting with a 44-day session, returned from Coral Gables, Fla., where he moved his family into a new home. Vickers related the rainy season is now on at the southern resort section Gillette Cavalcade of Sports is featuring a film of the running of the Ohio Derby on its Friday night telecast. The Ohio Endurance, slated for Monday, July 4, was heaviest subscribed of the local stakes, with 71 two-year-olds nominated to this ,500 added test of six furlongs. . . . The third and final issue of the book of conditions goes into effect Thursday. Fourteen racing days are contained in it Apprentice Woodly Slinker, who was fined 0 for an infraction of the rules on Monday, is riding here under contract to Joe D. v Puckett, who has a useful, although modestly-sized contingent on the grounds. Not to be confused with the horse racing here with the same name, Slinker, -broke his maiden on May 20 this year at Churchill Downs and has been getting his share of mounts and victories since, according to agent Ronny Pierce. . . . Robert C. Littleton returned from Cumberland, Md., following the close of that meeting last week. Littleton served as mutuel manager there and is assistant mutuel manager at this track to Bob Sloan. Laird to Run Rockingham Photo Finish Glenn "Red" Laird left for Rockingham Park to set up his photo finish equipment, which operates under -Confirmation Photos, Inc. That Salem, N. H., course opens on Monday. . . . Among the spectators here on Derby Day was Barney Weitz. He raced and trained the mare, Military Girl, who holds two records at this track. Military Girl set best time of 2:44 for the odd distance of one -mile and four and a half furlongs in 1942. Her name is in the record book as having been timed the distance of about one mile and five and a half furlongs in 2:49, established in "1940. . . . Weitz, formerly an officer in the Ohio division of the Trap A, is now a salesman for a steel firm out of Cleveland. . . . Fred Colwill, who left this meeting to serve as racing secretary at Cumberland, returned Monday and resumed duties as a steward. Members of the Nal Kiwanis, now holding their 40th annual convention in Cleveland, will be admitted to the ThistleDown ra.ee track free of charge. The only identification necessary is their convention cards or Kiwanis membership cards. . . . Among the frequent regulars at this meeting are baseballs Hall of Fame immortals, Tris Speaker and George Uhle. The latter is a forgotten man in a sense , among pitching greats. Uhle won an even 200 American League games, most of them in the uniform of the Cleveland Indians. He also is one of the few pitchers who won 20 or more games in a single season three different times. . . . Visiting here Monday was Lou Boudreau, manager of the Kansas City Athletics and coach Oscar Melillo of the same team. . . . Vince Turch, for several years a parking lot attendant here, has resigned to attend a post graduate course in Chiropody.
