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New England 1 By Fred Galiani 48-Hour Entry Movement Gaining Support Morrow Cites Many Benefits of Operation Helps Management; Horsemen and Press LINCOLN DOWNS, Lincoln, R. I., May 7.— For some unfathomable reason whenever changes are contemplated or introduced in the" scheme of racing mechanics, in some quarters they are resisted with vigor worthy of the Hungarian freedom fighters. The starting gate, the photo finish camera, and the film patrol somewhere along the line were opposed, but all have improved racing, if not revolutionized certain aspects. In line with that, it is interesting to see where Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons has once again come out for the 48-hour closing of entries. Mr. Fitz has on previous occasions taken the stand that the advance closing is a good thing for stakes, but now has enlarged his view to cover an entire card. His remarks are particularly appreciated here in New England, for it is racing secretary Gordon Morrow, who is responsible for the innovation of the 48-hour closing. Morrow, who has held practically every official position on a race track, and has" been a jockey and valet, believes he is the first to use the 48-hour entry system in the East and for extended meetings. Morrow recalls that the system was used before him in Phoenix, but racing was only held there three times a week. It was Gordon who introduced the early closing of entries at Sunshine Park in Florida, where it was used with success for three years; still at Scarborough Downs and here at Lincoln. "It is the best by far," commented Morrow, "in that it helps everyone. It aids the horsemen, management and the press. With the 48-hour closing, a man will know what to do with his horse. If he knows he is in a race he can blow out .for it. It especially aids a man with a good allowance or high priced horse, as he can plan ahead. With cheap claim-ers, it doesnt really make too much difference. No Control Over the Elements "The track benefits in the way of publicity. They have their entries out in all editions of the newspapers in the vicinity, and it doesnt matter if they close in the morning or the afternoon. From recent experience, in my mind, there is nothing to surpass the 48-hour entry system. The only argument that can be advanced against it is the weather, and God alone controls that. Rain, snow, sleet can come up anytime — within 15 minutes sometimes — so I dont see where that is such a powerful argument. No matter how you look at it, the 49-hour entry is by far superior," he concluded. From a newspapermans point of view, it has distinct advantages and concrete proof is furnished in this area. Unlike other sections of the country, where newspapers are folding like accordions, New England maintains a healthy press, with numerous small town having their own dailies and weeklies. This year, many of those papers in the area have begun to carry Lincoln Downs entries, selections and morning line, something they had not done for years. The answer is obvious. Small papers work on very little margin, their main source of income being from local advertising. Expendi-, tures have to be carefully scrutinized. They cant afford wire service charges for racing information. But with the 48-hour system, entries are received in the mail from the track and available for publication the day of the races. Some segments of the sport have long decried the lack of space racing gets in the nations press. When you come down to it, what is more important than the entries, the performers in the spectacle? .And every time they appear in a new paper, they further coverage of racing and conceivably could make new patrons. There are no two ways about it. The advantages of the 48-hour system are verily great. Gonzales Not Wounded in Cuban Riot Spiked rumor dept: A story was circulating around that jockey Enrique "Speedy" Gonzales had been wounded in the recent Havana street battles, but such is not the case according to A. F. Martinez. Gonzales did get married, however, this past winter in his native land, which may be the prelude to some battling. Speedy is expected to be up in time for the Suffolk Downs meeting. . . . Abraham I. King, father of Irwin King, public defender of Windham County, died recently after a long illness. Irwin King is a regular patron of the turf club and an ardent racing fan. . . . In line with the 48-hour closing of entries, Gordon Morrow did some bookkeeping and found out that he had 27 six-horse fields during 47 days of the meeting. In all those only one horse was scratched. Jockey Martin ONeill, of Cumberland, R. I., was tossed from Willow Downs Bobbydell this morning and taken to Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence, where it was found he had suffered a compound fracture of the left ankle. . . . Rags, a six-year-old Okapi gelding trained by Dick Gottsman, came to the end of the road the other morning when he suffered a broken shoulder and had to be destroyed. . . . Bill LaRue, trainer of the extensive B. A. Dario string, made a fast jaunt here from Garden State Monday to confer with his boss. The majority of the Dario horses are at Laurel, but LaRue has three, including the amazingly fast Venomous, at the Camden track. . . . Congo King, an old-time stake performer who has still a touch of class, "was sent to Herbie Lewis by Hunter Lyon from Florida and will race for the rest of the meeting.
