view raw text
Loss of Mutuel Workers To Curtail Maumee Meet Close Two Days Early; Some 30 Key Men Committed to MRA Oval MAUMEE DOWNS, Maumee, Ohio, May 13. — The management of Maumee Downs announced today that the current thoroughbred horse racing meeting will close Tuesday, May 19, instead of Thursday, May 21. In making the announcement, the management of Maumee Downs cited the loss of key personnel in the mutuels department to the Michigan Racing Association, track near Detroit which opens May 20 as the major reason for the early closing. "At least 30 key men in various sections of the mutuels department are scheduled to go to MRA," track officials said. "We sought to keep them but have been told that MRA has an agreement which requires that these men report to Detroit. "It would be impossible for us to hire trained personnel upon such short notice to handle these positions. Rather than risk using inexperienced help, we have decided to curtail our meeting. "We have used every opportunity to improve the quality of racing, exerted considerable effort and expended a great deal of money to improve the facilities at Maumee Downs for the convenience and comfort of northwestern Ohio and southern Michigan racing fans. "These fans have supported the operation at Maumee Downs very well and we are reluctant to risk losing their good-will by using untrained personnel. "In addition, we feel that the length of the current meeting is beginning to tell. We have felt that the best deal for all concerned — fans, management and horsemen, is a split meeting with "dates in the spring and fall. We were denied a spring-fall program this year and given the current 44-day meeting. We are anixous not to overstay our welcome. "These factors have prompted us to inform the Ohio Racing Commission that we plan to close May 19. "We shall look forward to next year when we expect to further improve the facilities and racing at Maumee Downs and to welcome back the major league racing fans of this area./
