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River Downs By VV A. Cruse Look for Upturn in Patronage, Wagering Several Better Stables Are Shipping In Large Apprentice Contingent at Course RIVER DOWNS, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 31. This 44-day session which opened here a week ago today finds River Downs in its third year under the direction of president and general manager Leon A. Slavin. This year, however, with many factors taking their toll, the first six days, in comparison to the same period for 1955 and 1956, show the same trend as at other race courses in the country. For the first six days of Slavins first year at the helm of this spaciously beautiful plant in 1955, the mutuel play was ,646,402 and the attendance was 31,806. A sizeable increase was registered for the identical period during the 1956 season when ,944,583 went through the mutuel machines and 36,304 fans were on hand. This year, to date, ,593,310 is the totalisator tally and 30,784 patrons have been on hand. There have been many reasons brought forth for this decline in mutuel handle and attendance. The number of race tracks operating in the state of Ohio at this time, however, seems to be the only one that would cause the chain reaction with this result. James P. Ross Jr., who came into Rjver Downs this year for the first time, is one of the most able racing secretaries in the country. However, he evidently lacks horses, or else the horses on the grounds are, not ready to run. For the most part his entries have been extremely slow filling, and the subsequent result is that the fields have been very small. The fact that Beulah Park at Grove City, Ohio, closes Saturday should have considerable bearing on the racing at this plant for the remainder of the meeting as there are several contingents of the better stables shipping in over the week end. Shortage of Horses Key to Decline The drop in attendance is the most difficult to figure. The plant in itself has never been more beautiful and is carefully maintained. In addition to the beauty of its natural setting, the panorama is enhanced in charm by the turf course and the array of flowers and greens of the infield. The clubhouse and grandstand have also been redone, with a new motif of modernistic decor and constructions in the clubhouse interior itself. It is not improbable to feel that the attendance figures will reach normal when some of the local favorites of the Ohio fans again put in their appearance. Hence, it all resorts back" to the horses on the grounds and in competition at this meeting. The latter will undoubtedly be alleviated during the forthcoming week. Frank Ashley, the man "on the mike" here at River Downs, is a well-seasoned veteran at his post. In fact, Frank, who belies in his appearance his 56 years, has called eight Derbys from atop the roof of Churchill Downs. He filled the post as announcer at that track from 1938 to 1945. In general conversation it came up that he, in fact, has called the only Derby in history that was not run on the first Saturday in May. In 1945, because of the war, it was decided to. run the event on June 5. Hoop Jr., it will be remembered, was the ultimate winner. Frank recently completed an assignment as track announcer at Oaklawn Park, at Hot Springs, Ark. He will go on to the Speedway at the old Louisville Fair Grounds at Louisville, Ky. Veteran Brownie Held Hospitalized We received a delightful letter from Mrs. B. H. Held, wife of one of the former racing officials in the state of Ohio. "Brownie," as he was affectionately dubbed by everyone, was, in fact, the first licensed racing secretary in the state. Though it was wonderful to receive the letter, the news contained was saddening. "Brownie" is again back at the Veterans Hospital, Ward No. 2, Dayton, Ohio. Mrs. Held also reports that the demon cancer which he has been fighting for over a year now is rapidly weakening him but as usual, he is putting up a gallant fight. Though confined to a wheelchair, it is reported that if he had his. sight he would want to see the Racing Form first to find out how his many friends in every capacity around the race tracks of the United States are doing. The expense of Brownies long illness has drained heavily on the resources and Mrs. Held says that in addition to hearing from his friends any other help would be greatly appreciated. One of the largest contingents of apprentice riders ever recorded in the jockeys quarters at this course are on hand for this meeting. There are 11 here now with several more scheduled to arrive next week. Jess T. Whitley has the contract on apprentice James E. Mills, H. C. Dodson has the papers on Donald Oldham, L. K. Haggin has Edward C. McKinsey and the veteran agent Paul Steffen is handling his riding engagements, Kelly Hodge has young Douglas Pierce, T. E. Bischoff has John E. Lucas Jr., Doug Davis Jr. has James Fowler and C. L. Oliver will make the contacts for this promising young saddlesmith, John P. Acerno holds the contract on John S. Smith, R. K. Showalter has Rene E. Mendez in his employ and the riding engagements will be handled by J. H. Roberts. E. C. Logsdon has Richard Barnett and R. W. Shaw is the latter boys agent and William R. Smith the New England Smith has Carl Izzo. E. M. Springman is Izzos agent.
