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Report From .Canada Its Festive Week Of Queens Plate By FRANK ARMSTRONG . TORONTO, Ont., May 31. Old Woodbine concludes the first span of Torontos sorinc and summer turf season today. On Monday the racing scene shifts to Wood-, bine, which may be distinguished as the Ontario Jockey Clubs super plant,, comparable to the most modern in America. It could be said that Old Woodbine suffered through a rather turbulent period, with racing strip troubles on the new six furlongs oval and the five-day hiatus. Nonetheless, the sport will be written into the records as quite successful. A meeting that consistently exceeds comparative days in the tote department and at the gates on week ends is over the top. despite an unforseen setback. Old-timers , accustomed to the green expanse of the i well-kept innerfield at the original home grounds of the OJC were slightly aghasj; at the unfinished state occasioned by the transformation to the short course. In . - truth, it was somewhat -construction-scarred, but the natural beauty will be returned in quick order. Meantime our towns first six furlongs track has been t , successfully introduced for popular appeal. The stakes program maintained the calibre of racing to top standard. Its festive Queens Plate week beginning: with Mondays Plate Trial, carries through to the climactic 98th running of the Queens Plate on Saturday, June 8. Theres a fair chance that the Plate Trial will be run in two divisions since the OJC announced a split if more than 12 entered. There are known absentees of the moment, but it is. likely that more than a dozen of the 24 eligibles will enter for the 5 starting fee and a shot at the winners end of a ,000 added purse, or the splits of ,000 to second, 00 third and 50 fourth. The mile and one-sixteenth Trial is meant as a proving ground for the - 5,000 added Canadian classic and who knows when one of the lesser lights may jump up with a qualifying effort. There are several who seem to be without credit on the basis of past form, but that final fling could be the turning point. This can be the jump up before the letdown. We doubt if as many as 14 will make the mile and a quarter "Guineas Gallop." That seems to be the estimate. Well settle for 10 before the finale at Old Woodbine and the Trial. When- Woodbine opened a year ago, a week late and with the finishing touches incomplete there was something left to j the imagination on the true picture of t the 3,000,000 race course and all of its modern embellishments. Theres a dif-1 ferent sceiie this year when the beauty of the grounds become immediately apparent from the fresh green of the infield to the multi-colored lower beds on the grounds. It requires a tour of the property to appreciate its vastness. Like a city within a city, Woodbines 780 ; acres makes it Americas largest turf plant. . Old Woodbines ancient history has practically been transplanted to the new, not only by the Queens Plate, but with the tradition steeped stakes which brought the Ontario Jockey Club to its place of pre-. eminence on the North American turf. The elaborate stakes program embarks with a flourish in the first week. In addition to the Trials and the Queens Plate, the Jacques Cartier Stakes, one of the newer fixtures will be renewed on Wednesday. It is a ,500 added six furlongs dash for Canadian-bred three-year-olds and upward. Fifteen of the top members of t he t division are eligible, including Canadian Champ, Bill Beasleys colt who was 1 Canadas 1956 Horse of the Year and Ace Marine who preceded him for honors in Daily Racing Forms annual poll. Both won the Queens Plate. On Friday the 0,000 added Woodbine Oaks will have its second running. This is the years richest opportunity for three-year-old fillies. There are 19 eligibles for the mile and one-sixteenth run, the majority live prospects. Add Daily Racing Forms Horse of the Year dinner when owner Bill Beasley will be the recipient of an oil painting of his champion Canadian Champ, from editor-publisher J. Samuel Perlman, plus the attendant social glamor of a Queens Plate and you understand that it is indeed a festive week in Toronto turf circles.
