Prominent business leaders, horsemen and the Save Timonium Committee leapt into action when industrial interests made a firm offer for the Timonium State Fair property, and that the Maryland Jockey Club, the majority stockholder (72 percent), was willing to put its interest on the market.
Organizers created a campaign to sell bonds to finance the purchase of the majority shareholdings. "Plans are being formulated whereby all horsemen, owners, trainers, show exhibitors and others will be invited to participate in this vitally important bond drive. The interest is good, the investment a secure one, and the cause one that will appeal to one and all who have an interest in the future expansion of the Timonium Programme."
Disposing of its stock in the Timonium Fair and race course would allow the Maryland Jockey Club to start the Pimlico rebuilding program almost immediately upon conclusion of the fall meeting. Architects and engineers had been busy for months outlining plans for Pimlico's rejuvenation.
"Whether any attempt will be made to reconstruct the entire establishment by spring has not been announced," wrote Don Reed. "But it appears more likely that the job may be split, with a portion being done between fall and spring meetings with the remainder to be accomplished next summer."
Humphrey Finney traversed the country in July and August. After spending time at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, he was soon in Lexington.
It wasn't all work, as evidenced in his July 22 entry of The Editor's Saddle-Bag:
"Flew to Lexington this afternoon for the Keeneland Sales, arriving in time for a look at a good number before going out to Bourbon County to the Stoner Creek Farm of the Hertz family for a delightful buffet dinner party, which was highlighted by the world premiere of Gloria Swanson's picture Sunset Boulevard."
The Battleship and Manly Steeplechases, two infield fixtures which graced the Pimlico Fall meeting for years, would run that November at the National Hunt Races in Middleburg, Va.
According to S. Bryce Wing, the head of the committee sponsoring the two-day Middleburg meeting, officials of the Maryland Jockey Club advised him of their approval of this move, necessary since Pimlico would not card jumping races in the fall.
