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Old Woodbine Racing Off Until Saturday Riders Complain of Condition of Track After One Race Monday OLD WOODBINE PARK, Toronto, Ont., May 14. — Horse racing at Old Woodbine has been discontinued until Saturday. Rain this morning and long-range forecasts for continued unsettled weather prompted this decision by Ontario Jockey Club officials. Racing was halted at Old Woodbine after the first race on Monday afternoon when the jockeys complained that the racing strip was unsafe for further competition. Heavy rains last Friday had left holes in the new six-furlong track which was raced over for the first time on Monday, May 6. Ontario Jockey Club officials feel that the racing lay-off until Saturday afternoon will be necessary in order to complete satisfactory repairs. Following the running of the first race Monday Len Stroud, executive-manager of the Ontario Jockeys Benefit Association, after conferring with the riders, issued a statement that "Due to the unsafe conditions of the racing strip, the jockeys had refused to take part in the remainder of Mondays program." George C. Hendrie. managing director of the Ontario Jockey Club, issued the following statement: "The Jockey Club was prepared to continue the days racing on schedule. However, at the conclusion of the first race, the jockeys were unanimous in the opinion that the racing strip was unsafe for further competition this afternoon. "The jockeys were in agreement that the accident, when Dibbs broke a leg during the running of the first race, could not be blamed on track conditions. However, they were of the opinion that there were some Continued on Page Forty-Ona Old Woodbine Racing Called Off Until Saturday Continued from Page fifty-Two dangerous holes in the track, notably on the turn into the home stretch. "The meeting alter the first race was attended by the jockeys, representatives of the Ontario Jockey Club and representatives of the Ontario Racing Commission. There was no attempt on the part of the commission or the club to persuade the jockeys to complete their riding engagements during the afternoon." A spill marring the running of the first race was the basic cause of the suspended program. In that six and one-half furlongs event for maiden three-year-olds, the MKS Stables Dibbs, who broke in front from the gate, raced wide on the first turn and broke down, interferring with horses and causing the Four Ls Stables Spicy Fox to fall after -striking the heels of Sift Home. Jockey Len Pong was thrown to the ground and was carried from the track. He got up from the stretcher, when off the track, and walked to the jockeys room, uninjured though shaken. Dibbs was later destroyed. J. J. Flemings Danstir went on to win the event, reaching the finish a half length before J. Rodgersons Kay Top who had regained commmand entering the home stretch. Bois Sue, racing for the Beach Stable, was a distant third. R. Buisson rode the winner who paid 8.60.
