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1 , _____ Connors Corner First Portion of Demolition Work at Aqueduct Completed By C. J. CONNORS JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., May 8. — The first phase of the demolition of Aqueduct will be finished Thursday. The iron workers took down the final piece of steel, and. I believe itor not, no special festivities marked the passing. The razing of the adminis tration building was started and all that was removable or could be salvaged was pulled out and stored away. A large crane swinging a heavy iron ball will start hammering away at the brick building which in addition to the administration offices housed the jockey room, first aid department, racing commission, stewards room and other departments. The next phase will be leveling the paddock structure, that ancient building which during the summer months resembled the hot room of a Turkish bath, in which horses were saddled for engagements. This is probably the easiest job of all for the building is old and nothing of value, save some timber or boards, can be salvaged. From that sector the wreckers move around the clubhouse turn and take over several structures which were considered an eyesore by the clubhouse set. Anyway, the grandstand and clubhouse sectors are stripped of steel and the wreckers will have but little trouble in breaking through the concrete floorings and lawns. However, there is one slight rub in that department, the truck drivers to haul away the rubble are fishing while the officials of their union are discussing a new contract with employers. ♦ This discussion has been going on for some time but everyone is hopeful that a solution will be arrived at before long. The Paddock Gang this morning after digesting the above report from the Aqueduct delegation began to think in terms of when the new work will be started and how long will it take. That is a 4 dollar question and the contractors at the moment are the ones who know the answers and they are not talking. Big Project at Belmont Over at Belmont Park the remodelling construction is moving along steadily and judging by the number of men and machines that are in use. the project takes on the appearance of building a new Boulder Dam or a project of collosal size. Anyway, the boys in charge of that work are more than confident that they will be finished on time. In the meantime horsemen are stepping up their training schedules preparing for that 58-day session, which is probably the longest on record at the Nassau County course. Another matter, one however that is still in the future, intrigued the Paddock Gang, following the break up of the morning session. The boys gave Some thought as to how the schedule would be drafted when the new Aqueduct was ready for racing. Would that track open the season or would Belmont Park take precedence, or for traditional purposes, would Jamaica be given a few weeks to point out the difference between the old and the new order? Well, strange things have happened in New York racing and who knows what will be the order on that important occasion. However, in case your grandfather did not tell you, Belmont Park was completed a full year before the gates were opened for the inaugural meeting. Harry F. Guggenheim of Cain Hoy Stable was a visitor. He reported that Red God, who went amiss during the Hialeah Park meeting, is training steadily and will be an overnight starter before long. In regards to the Belmont Stakes, owner Guggenheim stated that while Red God has never raced beyond six furlongs, he gives every indication of carrying his speed greater distances. However, he concluded, he will await developments and see. . . . Jake Silverman, the doughty Long Islander, was a Belmont Park visitor this morning. He reported that his colt Hidi Mike is improving steadily and no indications of ruptured nerves or other troubles are in evidence following his collision with Runfast at Belmont Park more than a week ago. . . . Raymond Guest, who has a draft of horses in training, was a clubhouse visitor yesterday. Reports from A. B. Hancocks nursery in Kentucky are to the effect that Cain Hoy Stable has 11 fillies and eight colts and Continued on Page Forty-Six " CONNORS CORNER By CHUCK CONNORS Continued from Page Three that seven more mares are due to foal. One of the recent arrivals is a colt by Nashua from Spotted Beauty. The latter is one of the Phipps mares under lease to Guggenheim. . . . Andrew Fowler came over from New Jersey for the afternoon. . . . Herman Levin, producer of My Fair Lady, is a regular these afternoons. He has the most fabulous parlay in history running for him from that theatrical production and with the movie yet to be heard from, it will wind up in the millions. . . . F. Skiddy von Stade and H. "Pete" Bostwick. recent arrivals from Aiken S. C. were on hand for the afternoon and the stakes offering. Danny Arnstein. who has a draft of horses with Bob Robertson, will walk down the aisle on May 15. He will be joined in matrimony to Miss Patricia Powell of the Hollywood films. . . . J. G. Catlett. Johnny Breen and Jack OHara will serve as steward, patrol judge and public address announcer, respectively, at the Beulah Park meeting which opens Saturday. . . . Frank Sammer, of White Sulphur Springs. Saratoga Springs. N. Y.. was on hand for the afternoon. . . . Major Albert Warner stated that he will head west for Los Angeles on a business mission and some racing at Hollywood Park. . . . Walter S. Home was a Belmont Park visitor during the morning hours to witness several of his horses undergo training trials. . . . Trainer Oleg Dubassoff plans to ship the French-bred Lagides. owned by the Lazy F Ranch, to Pimlico for engagements. The Wheatley Stables Bold Ruler was jogged around the Aqueduct oval this morning. He was handled by Tommy Quinn and showed no ill effects of his Kentucky race and return trip. No date as yet has been named for his shipment to Baltimore for the Preakness. . . . Joe Notter, one of the jockey stars of the early decades of the century, relayed word that he will be out for the week-end festivities. . . . Mr. and Mrs. George Zauderer were among the early arrivals. They own Poly Hi, the choice in the Rosedale Stakes. . . Reports from Saratoga Springs, N. Y., are to the effect that Walter Stroup had died. He was a resident of that town for years and was well known to racing men through his newstand and bookstore.
