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Sportsmans Park By J. J. Murphy Five-Furlong Strip Has 902-Foot Stretch Compares Favorably With Many Mile Ovals Collier Going to Hazel After Suspension SPORTSMANS PARK. Cicero, 111., May 6.— Some patrons seems to be under the false impression that, inasmuch as the Sportsmans Park racing strip is but five furlongs in circumference, the length of the stretch must be rather short. Having received a couple of inquiries as to the exact length of the home lane at this course, we have checked and discovered that it compares favorably in distance with a number of one-mile tracks in the nation and is considerably longer than Detroits Hazel Park, only other major five-furlong track in the United States. The American Rac ing Manual shows the distance from the last turn to the finish at Sportsmans as being 902 feet. The same turf authority shows stretch turn to finish at Hazel Park as 608 feet. And the similar run at Tropical Park and Thistle-Down. both mile tracks, is shorter than Sportsmans. Tropical is "716 feet, and ThistleDown 893 feet. Among other major mile courses on which the distance from the last turn to the finish are less than 1.000 feet are Santa Anita. Hollywood Park. Jamaica. Garden State Park. Monmouth Park, Pimlico, and the Detroit Race Track. Also Omaha and Sunshine Park. As for the other Chicago courses, Washington Park has a stretch of 1,531 feet. Arlington Park, 1,320 feet, and Hawthorne 1.290 feet. However. Arlington and Washington are one and one -eighth miles in circumference. Reason for the comparatively long stretch at Sportsmans Park is that in the expansion of the course from a half-mile track to five furlongs, the track was lengthened and not widened. Bidwell Due in From Kentucky Although jockey Willie Collier, due to suspension, will ride no more at this meeting, he has the distinction of having left the course as the leading rider at the meeting. Going into the final week of the sport here, he had 13 winning mounts as against 12 for Robert L. Baird. 11 for Meaux. 10 for Tony Skoronski, and nine each for Howard Craig and Robert Mundorf. Collier, appearing in Chicago for the first time, made quite a hit with the fans. His next saddle appearance will likely be at Hazel Park, where, according to reports, the horses owned by his contract employer. J. Kel Houssels, will be shipped. . . . Jimmy Bidwell, who rode for the Houssels stable at Oaklawn Park prior to the signing of Collier, will arrive from Kentucky Wednesday and will free-lance here and at the Balmoral meeting. Lyle Dilger has taken a lease on the services of jockey Arthur Sherman for the Balmoral meeting. Believe this is the boy who was for a time under contract to Meshach Tenney, the trainer for Swaps. . . . Tommy Barrow departed for Boston. He will ride on the New England circuit. . . . Jockey Melvin Duhon returned from New Orleans, where he was visiting his wife and five children over the week end. . . . Jack Fieselman is planning to ride at Hazel Park following the close of the current meeting. Racing secretary Robert P. McAuliffe celebrated his 46th birthday Monday. . . . Jack Hodgins, the Dixi-ana trainer, was a visitor Saturday. . . . State steward Ralph W. Choisser has been nursing a heavy cold for the past week. . . . Hildy Creech, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Creech, arrived from Louisville for a visit. . . . Trainer K. D. Kepler journeyed to Torring-ton, Wyo., over the week end to attend to some business matters. . . . "Mickey" McMahon, long-time secretary of the central division of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, was an arrival after having taken in the running of the Kentucky Derby. . . . Miss Gin K., a two-year-old filly owned by E. C. Team, died of pneumonia over the week end. Farrell Coming on Business Trip Although most of the runners owned by Grace Kosiba will be shipped to Hazel Park next week end. she may leave three or four here to ma at the Balmoral meeting. . . . Frederick "Pat" Farrell, former racing secretary at Arlington and Washington parks, will be here about mid-week in the interests of the coming meeting at ThistleDown. . . . Freeman E. Waldron has announced plans for the shipment of his horses to River Downs following the Sportsmans Park session. . . . Jack J. Klucina is looking forward to a successful session at Audubon Park, Henderson. Ky., where he will serve as racing secretary. The meeting opens May 29, Bernard W. Landy. Chicago owner, has purchased Ambiorum, Smokelore. and Admiral K. from Reverie Knoll Farm, and trainer Mitchell Silagy Jr. left for Kentucky to take them in charge. . . . C. J. Carter bought the three-year-old Breezy Toes from J. Frank Parnell, who recently arrived here from his home in Newburn, Tenn. . . . Owner Jay Dupre is visiting from Lake Charles, La. . . . Trainer Grover Noel is sending the Exchange Stable thoroughbreds to Detroit. ... All horses owned by Earl K. Carey, of Denver, will be shipped to Omaha.
