Arlington Turfmen Vote to Keep 48-Hour Closing: Modifications of Original Plan Explained by Official Meeting, Daily Racing Form, 1957-06-27

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Arlington Turfmen Vote To Keep 48-Hour Closing » Modifications of Original Plan Explained by Officials at Meeting By Staff Correspondent ARLINGTON PARK, Arlington Heights, 111., June 26. — An unanimous decision by 143 horsemen racing at Arlington Park to continue with the 48-hour entry system through the remainder of this meeting, was the highlight of a breakfast conference held in the clubhouse dining room this t morning. The management here announced several modifications of the original plan in an effort to avoid some of the confusion which had clouded the early stages of the i operation. Benjamin F. Lindheimer, executive director of Arlington and Washington k Parks, and Charles McLenan, a member of the racing department, explained • the changes, which the horsemen found agree- * able. 4 In addition, Harold Hoffman, president i of the Illinois division of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, plans to appoint a special three-to-five-I man committee to handle any problems in I Continued on Paga Ten 48-Hour Closing Favored byTurf men . Unanimous in Decision to Continue Arlington Plan; Explain Changes in System Continued from Page One relation to the 4.8-hour entry system which may arise. Lindheimer agreed to meet with this group at any time in an effort to iron out any possible points -of dispute. Among the changes announced this morning vere the following: 1. In regard to the rule governing horses on the "also eligible" list — these horses will be given a star when entries are drawn. Said horse can use this star for the following* day, but if he is drawn into the race, the horse will automatically be scratched from the "also eligible" list. 2. In all stakes races, the entries will close the day before race at 10 a.m. 3. The third issue of the condition book will card substitute races in an effort to eliminate the posting of any extra races. 4. The overnights will appear on different colored paper each day to distinguish one days entries from another. In his opening remarks, Lindheimer pointed out that Arlington and Washington Parks had spent a total of ,000,050 on improvements this year alone. He noted that ,000,000 of this was borrowed from banks in Chicago, which he said spoke well of theii confidence in the racing operations conducted at the two tracks. He said that the two associations had always ploughed their profits back in the business, outside of a nominal 50-to-75-cent dividend to the stockholders, in an" effort to improve the plants and the racing presented. Unity Key to Success Lindheimer stressed that unity among all groups in racing was the key to increased success in the industry and said that additional fans must be attracted to racing to help combat the increased costs of operation. "A mutuel ticket cant be sold for more than ," Lindheimer pointed out, "so we have to make new friends for racing." Lindheimer noted that the cooperation of the horsemen was essential to the presentation of better racing, which he said would result in increased buisness and consequently higher purses. He said that the horsemen and management were partners in racing and that if business at the track was good, horsemen would benefit. He noted that the two tracks under his supervision had always tried to make racing here pleasant for the horsemen, and that such facilities as 24-hour medical attention, Continued on Page Fifty Arlington Park Horsemen Vote To Retain 48-Hour Closing Continued from Page Ten trailer parks, supervised classes for children and Sunday church services were available to all. He and McLennan admitted that the program was hastily introduced and that certain flaws were found in the early stages of the operation, but said that every effort would be made to iron these out. He said that if the plan didnt work, he would be the first to advocate abandoning it. After McLennan explained some of the! techical points of the 48-hour entry system and answered a few questions, Hoffman announced that his committee would meet with management if any problems arose, and then took a standing vote, which appeared to be unanimous.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1957062701/drf1957062701_1_5
Local Identifier: drf1957062701_1_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800