The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-05-10
DERBY SCHEDULED
| SATURDAY JUNE 2
War Mobiizer Fred M.
Vinson Makes Announce
nent At White House

VtAoAAAAN0 Wv, way - .HJ -
The Kentucky Derby probably will
be run June 2, and horses will
be galloping on other tracks be-
fore this week ends as the result
OF today's removal of the racing
ban.
War Mobilizer Fred M. Vinson
ak olished the prohibition at a news
conference in the White House.
stating that it was effective "at
once as one Of the readjustments
following Germany's surrender.
Thus ended a four-months Juror
that swept the nation over the
only complete shutdown of a sport
during wartime.
Anticipating Wilson'S action.
racing people quickly began cor
relating plans for speedy resump-
ton of the billion-dol1ar indus
try which was ordered to suspend
activities last January 3.
Under tentative ARRANGEMENTS,
the Kentucky Derby will be the
first of the major races to cele-
brate the re-opening by running its
seventy-first event probably June
Il.
The other headiners in turfdom' S
triple crown" The Preakness and
Belmont Stakes, will be held June
% and June %, respectively, if
the Derby falls On June 2.
Unlike the sudden shutdown
which caught racing unawares, the
sport was prepared for Wilson'S
announcement with many prelimi-
nary arrangements already made.
Horses have been conditioning and
most tracks are in good shape.
Racing people, pleased over the
abolition before the industry was
too badly hurt felt that the sport
had kept faith with the Govern
ment, and now the Government has
kept faith with it by fulfilling a
promise that racing would be al
lowed to resume when war con-
ditions permitted.
The War Manpower Commission
gave racing an additional boost by
stating that its Zero" employ
ment ceiling for tracks will be re-
moved. This regulation permitted
the hiring of only essential main
tenance workers.
WINGS action will automatically
authorize tracks to hire more
workers-but under ceilings es-
tablished by local VINO officials
Gin the light of needs Of war in
dustries.
Vinson called attention to exist
ing transportation restrictions,
which will remain in effect, and re-
ferred inquiries about the ship
ment of horses to ODT officials.
The ODT later issued an order
permitting such shipments. Sew
eral hundred cars especially suited
to Transporting horses are avail
able and are little used for other
purposes.
1t was emphasized. however,
that restrictions in effect prior to
thea ban will continue. This means
that no special trains or extra
equipment will be authorized, and
the tracks will be expected to CO.
operate on ''trolley-car" basis.
Racing officials said this would
not present insurmountable OBJ
stacles since some events have
been conducted under those con-
ditions during wartime.
Vinsons's revocation of the ban
applies to harness and dog racing
but not to events involving auto
mobiles and other motor vehicles
due to critical material involved.
This precludes a resumption of
the indianapolis Speedway Clas-
sic, the Kentucky Derby Of auto
races.
Another action taken by Vinson
bodybuilding of the ;nic,aight cur
few-also will affect sports. Bow
ling alleys, ball parks and sports
arenas may stay open as late as
they like .. Fl.