The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-10
Marion And Schoendist Needed-But Quick!
THEY'RE OFF
 AT 'GANSETT
 ON SATURDAY

Pawtucket, R. T., May g - The war in Europe has been finally won, the ban on racing has been lifted and Narragansett Park announces it will open the New England racing season next Saturday, May 12 and continue through 25 racing days un- til June g.
 This electrifying news galvanized into immediate action the racing forces ere that have patiently awaited such an announcement for long weeks past. The plan of Judge James E. Dooley, president of Mar ragansett Park, to open the season as quickly as possible following the green light from Washington, has done much to sustain the Tagging spirits of horsemen and prepara- tions for this eventuality have been in progress for many weeks. Im- mediately upon receiving the good word this morning Dooley contacted Thcmas J. Meehan, Director of Bus mess Regulation, under whom the Rhode Island Racing Commission functions, and it is the Meehan's approval that the spring dates are announced.
 All Gansett officials are on hand, preparations have been completed to the point where cnly the switch needed to be thrown. The mutuels machines are in place. all seasonal help has been hired: the plant is decked out in all it's customary spring brightness - everything on the front side is ready.
 Racers Near Edge
 Over iii the statling area wait some 600 thoroughbreds, which, with very few exceptions, are fit and ready for action They have been working easily and smoothly for weeks and months past; one or two fast works are gil that is needed to put them on racing edge. The situa- tion this season So far as horses are concerned, is very different to prev louS years. Hitherto. horses have checked in for the Spring meeting with many of them dull and worn from hard winters campaigning: the balance have come from a win ter On farms, fat. out of shane and mary weeks away from racing fit ness
 The enforced idleness from Jan uary 3rd completely changes the picture this year. Horses arrived from the winter tracks trained long and slowly, as horses should be. They have be2n brought along care fully and kep5 just notch below | racing shape. Those from the farms have had an extra five weeks to round into condition. The result $ that more fit horses will be racing here than ever bofore in New Eng land history Hcrsenen too, de- priVed of earning 8 single dollar for the past four months, despite the fact that expenses have gone on as usual, will be cunning desperately for 9 quick crack at the important purse money offered at the meeting. Competition will be keen.
 Racing Secretary Ty Shea has prepared his first condition book. It covers the first eighi days of the meeting. Feature of the opening day card will be an allowance af- fair titled The Inaugural Purse. This will be contested over five and one half furlongs by 3 year olds and upwards for purse of s3,000. Ecld- ing down the number two spot is the New Haven, for 4-year-ol5s and upward, run over one mile and sev- cnty yards for a S2.50O purse. A race for maiden year olds, run over four and half furlon9s for a 1 Sl-600 purse will open the card.
 The minimum purses at the meet ing will be S1,600, plus a trainers l award of S100 Der race as an added indu"ement. hTe trainers awards will he divided $50 to the winner, 525 to the second, $15 to the third and S1o to the trainer saddling the fourth horse.
 Spring Stakes Schedule
 May 19-The Spring Handicap; three year olds and upward: S5,0oO; l six furlongs Entries close May 12.
 May 2G-The Roger Williams Handicap: three year olds and up- ward; s50c0; one mile and one six teenth Entries close May 19
 May 30-The Bristol Handicap: three year olds and upward: S, ,oo0; siE furlorgs. Entries close May 23.
 June 2-The Rhode Island Hsndi- cap; three year olds and upward $10000 one mile and one eighth. Entries close May 26.
 June 9-The Blackstone Valley Handicap; three year olds and up- Ward; $7,500; six furlongs. Entries close June 2.
 Post time throughout the meeting will be 2:3O D. m.