Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-11-28
A HORSE RACING CIRCUIT.
What 1t Is-Shail Utah, Montana
and Oregon Constitute One?

The question of establishing racing
circuit embracing portions of Utah, Mon
tana and Oregon, is being much discussed
by horse breeders in this section. SAYS thu
Butte I1lter-Mountain, of the 18th. II
the average Montanian the words racing
circuit convey but a vague and indefi
mite meaning, and we will endeavor tc
give proper definition.
| A racing circuit is simply an arrange
ment by which a series of meetings are
held at different places at times that do
not conflict, thereby giving both horse.
men and people an opportunity to attend
each meeting. Its advantages are many
and at glance apparent. In the first
place everything is reduced to system.
1t is for example proposed that the racing
circuit include the cities of Salt Lake,
| Ogden, Butte, Helena, Bozeman, Spok-
ane Falls, Walla Walla, Pendleton, Port
land and Salem. If established the par
ties in charge would SO arrange affairs
that one meeting would follow another.
A stable could be entered for the races
at Salt Lake, then participate in those of
Ogden, occurring few days later, after
ward come to Butte, and so continue I'M
til the circuit was completed in Oregon.
There would be unity of action from Utah
to the latter State which would result in
great benefit in many different ways.
The first matter affected is that of purses,
which would be much larger because the
entries would be more numerous and the
commission on pools greater. Then there
being uniformity in dates of meetings
greater number of races would occur.
But OF principal Importance is the pro-
lection afforded horsemen. Where no
system is adopted, ringers" in turf
mans parlance, often slip in and capture
the purses, leaving honest competitors
out in the cold. The races ended in one
town, they fold their tents and silently
steal away to some other point where the
process is again repeated. Still another
matter of weight is the reduction of ex-
pense. A stable for instance entered at
Salt Lake for the circuit, would obtain
lower rates of transportation, than could
be expected was it simply going to Butte
or Helena. Then in advertising great
saving is also made. The posters in Og-
den would advertise Bozeman and Port
land races, and vica versa.
DuO VI very SIcdG IuOlIleHC Is the auVer-
Using the country would receive. If es-
tablished there would assemble at each
fine stock and representative
men from the whole Pacific slope. The
resources of the different sections would
in this manner receive the notice and at
tention of the people of the whole
country. It-should be distinctly under
stood that in every town that the individ- |
uality of the association of the place is
maintained. Any rules or regulations
they may adopt will be observed, and they
are only required to adhere in the matter
Of races to the rules of the national asso-
citation. 1t should be remembered that
racing would not be the only feature. At
The time of the meetings agricultural and
mechanical exhibits would occur, making
It in every sense a fair, the racing being
'egulated and SO conducted as to obtain
he best possible results, and to prevent
raud. The matter is brought before the
attention of the public at this early date
n the expectation that it will be discussed
md criticised. 1t is hoped that a proper
'lan may be matured before the January
Meeting of the various societies and that
leXt season we may experience the bene-
icial results which are sure to follow.
Let us hear from the parties interested
n the matter