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Wheeling Downs Granted Dates for Two Meetings Contingent on Approval of Sale Of Track to John B. Kelly Group • CHARLESTON, W. Va., June. 20.— The West Virginia Racing Commission today approved racing dates of July 10-Sept. 24 and Oct. 19-Nov. 16 at Wheeling Downs, contingent on approval of the sale of the track to a group headed by John B. Kelly, president of the Atlantic City Racing Association. The license application of the group — using the name "Racing- Association at Wheeling Downs" — was approved unanimously at a special commission meeting here. . The Kelly group submitted a high bid of ,500,000 when the track was auctioned off June 12 to help satisfy government income tax claims against owner William G. Lias. -Federal Judge Harry E. Watkins will hold a hearing Friday to determine whether the bid should be approved. Representing the Kelly group at todays meeting was his son-in-law, Donald Levine, who also submitted the high bid on behalf of the organization at the government-sponsored auction Listed as officers of the new association were Kelly as president; Luke H. OBrien of New Rochelle, N. Y., treasurer, and Levine as secretary. Stockholders named in the "application were Kelly, Levine, Mrs. Adelaide Lehman of Philadelphia, wife of a physician, and McCloskey Enterprises, Inc., v headed by John McCloskey of Philadelphia, a Wheeling native. The three-man racing commission took only about 20 minutes to consider and approve the application, asking Levine a few questions about the background of some of the prospective owners. Levine said he felt sure the group would be ready to begin operations on July 10. Levine later told newsmen that the association did not plan to retain Lias as general manager of the track. Lias had continued as manager during the past five years when the track and his other properties were in federal receivership. Meets had been held regularly until this spring when Judge Watkins canceled a meet because revenue had been declining. Levine said he probably would take over as general manager. He Has been a horse owner for seven years and is a stockholder in the Atlantic City, N. J., track.
