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, 1 1 1 Ak-Sar-Ben By Dean Williams Young Mike Robineau Roots for Monroe Doc. Disheartening News Concerning Vino Supremo New Concourse Undergoes a Thorough Test AK-SAR-BEN, Omaha, Neb., June 21.— Mike Robineau was a visitor in the press box Friday and Saturday of last week. The young son of the tennis-playing , oilman, oilman, M. M. H. H. Robineau, Robineau, accom- oilman, oilman, M. M. H. H. Robineau, Robineau, accom- accompanied his mother and father to Omaha to watch , Monroe Doc. compete in the J. E. Davidson Memorial Handicap Saturday. During the Saturday afternoon .festivities, Mike, being of a pessimistic nature, had every horse in the Davidson field defeating his parents star performer. When he . was assured by members of the press box crew that it was only a matter matter of of how how far far Monroe Monroe Doc. Doc. 1 1 1 matter matter of of how how far far Monroe Monroe Doc. Doc. would win by, he remained firm in his beliefs and added that "The Doc" would not care much for the sloppy track that prevailed. Post time for the "big one" finally rolled around and Young Mike took up his rooting position behind one of the many windows. Mike observed the press box rule of silence during the running of the race, but as soon as it appeared certain that the long-striding son of Doctrine was a winner, he broke loose with yells of jubilance that only a boy of 11 could muster. His first words, after he had regained his breath were, "I knew Doc could do it." Along with the mirth that Mike Robineau brought to the members of the Fourth Estate, he was also the bearer of very disheartening news about last years Davidson Memorial winner, Vino Supremo. The news he bore was that Vino Supremo had nearly died Tuesday from an infection. The son of Vino Puro, who is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robineau, was last years sprint champion in Omaha. The handicap performer started three times at Ak-Sar-Ben last year and was undefeated. He won the Inaugural and the Davidson Memorial handicaps. Vino Supremo carried 124 pounds to victory in the Davidson and equaled the track record of 1:09%. After leaving Ak-Sar-Ben, he went to Centennial where he . won the Colorado Mile and Cosmopolitan Hotel Handicap. His total winnings for 1956 was 8,165. Stables Stricken Star Improving Mr. and Mrs. Robineaus capable trainer, Eddie Presnell, filled us in on the details of Vino Supremos illness Tuesday. Presnell said that he had worked "Vino" Monday morning in preparation for his appearance in the Davidson Memorial. When he returned from hiand morning trial, he seemed to be in fine fettle, but Tuesday morning his legs had filled to his hips and shoulders. He was in a great deal of pain and the veterinarian gave him little chance of living through the day. The following day, abscesses on his legs were lanced. The pain was somewhat relieved and he began showing some improvement. The exact nature of his illness is still not known, but it was believed to be either a lymph gland or virus infection. The veterinarian reported Tuesday that although he is still in jsome pain that "tubbing" his leg in warm water should give him some relief and start him on his way to - recovery. * v / Monroe Doc. has proven a very capable replacement for Vino Supremo by giving the Robineaus their second consecutive victory in the Davidson Memorial, but the absence of Vino Supremos name among the stake and handicap entries is sorely missed. Presnell said there is no hope that Vino Supremo will be ready for an appearance at Ak-Sar-Ben this year. The possibilities for his starting again before this fall or next spring seem very remote. The new concourse and other Ak-Sar-Ben innova-tions got a thorough test last Saturday as 14,155 fans sought shelter from driving rains. As if to forecast things to come, a bolt of lightning struck the flag pole in the centerfield just a half hour before first post time. With that bolt of lightning and resounding crash of thunder, heavy rains, began falling, sending racing* fans to the shelter of the tracks shuttle buses. The buses, which run from the parking lots to the grandstand entrance, had previously been used sparingly by local patrons. The area provided by the new concourse was put to full use as shelter-seeking patrons escaped the rain which fell during the entire nine-race program. The gyandstand concourse proved very adequate and was praised by the public and management alike.. Track TV Carries Eastern Classic Around Ak-Sar-Ben: The tracks closed TV circuit was tied in with a local television channel so Saturdays patrons could view the running of the Belmont Stakes on the big, 24-inch television sets placed throughout the plant. . . . Wendell Leeling arrived in Omaha Saturday. He plans to ride free lance. . . . Connie Jordan of Harrison, Nebr., was a recent visitor. While he was here, he saw Mr. Moran, one of his stable, defeat a field of -homebred horses. . . . Charley Mullaney flew to Great Falls, Mont., over the week end. After he returned, he reported that the management of that half-mile-track is installing the new "goose neck"-type aluminum railings.
