On a vote held in September, the directors of the Maryland Horsemen’s Protective Association announced the membership vote was unanimous for a complete merger with the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. The addition of over 500 members of the MHPA to the national organization “would further strengthen horsemen’s activities and just requests” including establishing a benevolent fund to care for needy and deserving horsemen and their employees; offering services of well-known and qualified attorneys; and having the prestige and power of a national organization numbering over 6,000 members.

• A painting by Jean Bowman of Lucky Jean, “the pride of the Merryland Farm stud of the Danny Sheas” and dam of current top-class stakes winner Turbine and recent 2-year-old winner Tom Ferris, appeared on the cover of the magazine.
  
  
• There was a bizarre occurrence at Timonium’s 10-day meet – rumors of wholesale stimulating were rampant and as a result trainers were requesting pre-race tests. According to reports, of 56 horses tested, 11 showed presence of some form of stimulant. Don Reed reported: “The affair at Timonium was so unusual that both the ‘pros’ and the ‘cons’ in the stimulation discussions were puzzled. . . the sudden outbreak at Timonium was unexpected to say the least. Then the fact that trainers themselves feared for their horses and wanted the protection of pre- race tests was unusual.”