view raw text
Ohio Board Tables License of Wexler Clevelanders Application Held in Abeyance, Officials Approve Nine Races Daily Special to Daily Racing Form COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 30.— Action on the application by Morris "Mushy" Wexler for an Ohio owners license was tabled by the Ohio State Racing Commission here Wednesday. Board chairman Thomas R. Lloyd told Wexler, a Cleveland restaurant owner, "Our hands are tied because of the denial of your application in Florida." The commission also departed from its previous policy and voted to permit the states thoroughbred tracks to schedule nine-race programs four days a week. The board stipulated, however, that these extra races be limited to Ohio-breds and/or horses owned by residents of Ohio. The new nine-race cards would be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Heretofore, the commission has permitted a ninth race only on opening days, Wednesdays, Saturdays and holidays. The limitation to Ohio-bred or Ohio-owned horses does not apply to the ninth event on these days. The commission also voted to allow harness race tracks to schedule nine events nightly. This is no deviation from the boards policy of recent years. Wexler appeared at the commissions offices to renew his plea for an owners license. Lloyd informed him the commission is powerless to act in the case because of its reciprocity agreement with the turf panels of other states. The chaiman recalled Wexler had been denied a license in Florida and that a suit on the matter now is pending in Dade County Circuit Court. Lloyd Says Hands are Tied Lloyd told Wexler, "Our hands are tied because of the denial of your application in Florida." Wexler retorted, "The Florida commission told me to get a license in my own state first. I dont get it. Florida sends me back to my home state, Ohio, and Ohio tells me I cant get a license because I was refused a license in Florida. It doesnt make sense." Lloyd suggested to Wexler that he either withdraw his application or have the commission hold it in abeyance, pending the outcome of the Florida legal action. Wexler decided to permit the commission to hold the application in abeyance. The application was accompanied by letters of character reference from numerous Cleveland civic, political and religious leaders. Lloyd warned Wexler, "If we act on your application now, we would have to turn it down, because of our reciprocity agreement with Florida arid the other states. If the Florida court rules in your favor, we will then consider your case on its merits." Wexler was licensed as a thoroughbred owner in Ohio several years ago. He filed an application for an Ohio owners license in 1957, but withdrew it before the commission took formal action. Spencer Drayton, head of the Thorough-Continued on Page Forty-Two Ohio Commission Withholds Ruling on Wexler Application Continued from Page Three bred Racing Protective Bureau, appeared in front of the board at that time and strongly urged it to refuse Wexler a license. Wexler claims Draytons charges against him are based on hearsay. Chairman Thomas R. Lloyd, who previously had championed the cause of the ninth-race proponents, voted against the measure, but commissioners Otto G. Elliott and Garrett S. Claypool voted for it, the move carrying 2 to 1. Stuart Bullock, secretary of the Ohio-West Virginia division of the Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association, requested approval of the four additional races weekly on behalf of Buckeye horsemen. Bullock, in outlining the plan to limit the events to Ohio entries, said it would serve as a much-needed stimulant to the breeding industry in the state. He estimated the extra race would mean an additional 00,000 in revenue to the state, since it would realize that amount from the wagering on the added contest.
