view raw text
, . Various Improvements Made at River Downs Redecorate Structures, Repcrve Roadways, Work in Stable Area CINCINNATI, Ohio, May 12 — Horsemen and fans on their first appearence at River Downs this spring will find many changes since last seasons meeting. The River Downs 44-day meeting opens on Friday, May 29. TraineiS and stable personnel will find the barns freshly painted in green and and white. All the stalls have been over-hauledand relined with new kick boards. The tack rooms now have a paneled wood finish with, new aluminum screens and are finished in colonial green. Roadways and entrances throughout the spacious plant have been resurfaced as have also the parking areas. All improvements have been under the personal direction of Leon Slavin, president and general manager, who since he and his brother, William, took over the plant in 1955, have expended over ,000,-000 in improvements. "The management holds River Downs as one of most picturesque tracks in America and will do everything possible to, further that claim. The entire plant is surrounded Continued on Page Twelve Various Improvements Made at River Downs Redecorate Structures, Repaye Roadways, Work in Stable Area Continued from Page Nine by natural beauty and the rolling hills of Kentucky provide an exciting backdrop. We feel with this years added improvements the public will thoroughly enjoy an afternoons racing", Slavin explained. The race-going public will be afforded a colorful clubhouse atmosphere this summer since interior and exterior redecorations have been made throughout. With the enlarging of the dining room, the mutuel windows have been conveniently realigned. The clubhouse kitchen has been completely modernized. A new asphalt terrace which is ramped eliminating steps has been installed in front of the grandstand enclosure. All box seats and chairs in the clubhouse and grandstand, which hold a combined seating capacity of 12,000, have been refinished. The open-air paddock lounge adjacent to the grandstand is now enclosed with an oriental steel fence. Slavin summed up his improvement plan thusly: "We anticipate the greatest meeting in River Downs history and we want to give the public the best in accomodations and convenieces throughout the season." Track superintendent Thurman Pang-burn reports the main track and the 7 furlongs turf course is in excellent condition and as far as he is concerned, "horsemen could race on it tomorrow". Early arrivals among trainers here substantiate Pangburns claim regarding the track which they term "as lightning fast".
