Evening star., 1963-02-02
SKGH AT LARGE
Upset Mars Bowie
Opening: No Snow
BY MORRIS SIEGEL

THE BOWIE RACE COURSE, caterer to the plebian
horse betto who can't afford Hiaeah began another win
ter racing program yesterday but disappointing note
1t failed to snow during the program.
For the past three years when Bowie opened the gates
for its Early Bird" 4Oday meeting predict
able as the length of Liz Taylor marriage Bowie has
become snowconcious it recently spent $83 900 for
special snow-blowing machine.
"How's it gong?" the visitor asked Jack Loome, the
general manager Fine" he answered with depressed
look But we've been let down. All that equipment stand
ing by and snow"
Loome who first learned to be distrustful when he
served with the FBI, saying how indispensable the
weather forecasts the radio. "The Washington
stations" he protested have been saying all morning
we'd get two to three inches Of snow. Where is it?
Shenandoah didn't open today, we're running, the
weather looks good but I'm worried He looked worried
LOONIE HAD REASONABLE assurance earlier in the
day that the opening would not be marred snow but he
has become diSbeliever. He recently subscribed to
new weather service It's firm in Newark which calls
every hour the hour detailing weather conditions in
specific
"They said this morning that it would briefly
around here then tail off, Loome said 1T has, hasn't it?
But in this business you The official Weather
Bureau report broadcast in washington practically
guaranteed But man in Newark says no So far
he's right"
1t was suggested to Loome that if the Handicapped
the official Bowie program was as accurate as the
weather from Newark the track concevably might
show minus pool wed love to take that chance" he
answered
Outside in the clubhouse and grandStand protected
from the chill by glass enclosure anC heat the first day
patrons eating drinking and figuring out Seec
tions Among the patrons Tom Nugen the Maryland
football coach Trying to beat these things he said
through an aide s tougher than trying to lick Clemson
Duke, Penn State and Miami"
AT THE END OF the fourth the Maryland coach,
who looks like the junior varsity version of Bob Richards
of Wheaties fame However the toughest part OF
his Bowie schedule still to come.
Up in the announcerS booth Ray Haght, sidened for
three weeks was busy famiarizing himself with the
horses Haight the nonparei track announcer did not
work the Shenandoah daytime meeting Something to do
with uriSdictiona problem with Charles Town.
Haight was taking a breather between the first and
second Painter Boy ISL shot, had led the pack
it turned for home in the first race but broke down at
the head of the stretch. H
"Too bad for my friend here" Haght sighed Hes
painter He helped paint this track and strictly from
hunch he bet Painter Boy. Looked like he had winner
until the horse broke down. didn't it?"
MEANWHILE, BACK IN Loome's territory in the
administration building the perpatetc visitor caves
dropped on phone conversation between Loome ana MS
weather man in Newark
whats 1t look like for Saturday here? Loome asked
There was brief pause. Rain Friday night" Loome
said "OK. Saturday say cloudy and drlzze Loome
didn't like it, of course but there nothing he could
do about 1t.
whats he say about Saturday." asked Muggins Field
man. the track ack whose interest in the weather also
transcends the academic.
Possible fog" the sad-faced Loome answered, but
don't emphasize that" His Muggns could be
depended on not to.