New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-23
JOCKEY CLUBS IN CONFLICT

The racing season in this State will close on
October Is. During the last fortnight jerome
parI, and the new track in Westchester will
give races on the same days. This is an I'M
fortunate conflict, which will damage both
ASSOCIATIONS and will prove of serious injury to
the best interests of the turf. The night OF
the matter is clearly on the side OF Jerome
Park. First of the great racing associations
formed in the North after the war, the Ameri-
can Jockey Club has done more than any other
club to dignity and elevate the sport. 1t was
the pioneer in this sort of work, and 1t labored
in an earnest and honorable spirit to put rae
ing in this country as nearly on the plane OF
Ascot and GoodwOCd as it was possible to put
il with the difficulties and obstacles in the way.
For years it was alone in its efforts in this part
Of the country. Now it has two allies and as
socjatos within a few miles Of the metropolis
the Coney Island and Brooklyn Jockey Clubs.
The American Jockey Club has on its list of
members a larger number of well-known and
reSpectcd citizens of Americas greatest city
than any other racing association can boast.
1t is the representative turf organization of
New-York. 1t occupies the pretticst and most
picturesque course in the country, at fordham,
within the city limits easily reached by rail
way or by delightful drive up the broad and
Well-kept JerOme-ave. This is a club and this
is a course for New-Y Workers to take pride in.
For long series of years the American
Jockey Club has enjoyed undisturbed possession
of certain dates for its spring and autumn
meetings. 1t has had no rivalry, no hostility
to fear until now. But here comes an intruder
and an intcrIopeI-the new course in West
chester-and tries to ruin Jerome Park by
giving races on the days to which the. Ameri-
can Jockey Club is fairly entitled There is
no good excuse for such an attack on the oldest,
most important and most respected of the
Jockey clubs that have their headquarters in or
near New-York. Every turfman who has a
touch Of sentiment in his nature and is CRATE
full to the American Jockey Club for what it
has done for the turf should resent this I'M
warranted and unjustifablc assault on jerome
Park, this plan to break down the most truly
Of the New York racing bodies.
lie should give his heartieSt and most generous
support to Jerome Park in the coming conflict
The suggestion is made in some quarters
that there are too many jockey clubs, and that
one at least, must go 10 the wall. But if any
one is to be sacrificed, it surely should not be
the one to which the American turf owes the
most the one which has every claim to the
goodwill and support OF racing
men. No, if there is to be any sacrifice, it is
the newcomer that ought to go to the wall.
The conflict is now unavoidable for this year,
as both clubs have announced their October
meetings. But it ought not to be difficult to
come to an understanding and to avoid warfare
next year. All of the New-YoIk clubs and the
Brooklyn Club can arrange their dates with
out regard to any track in New-Jerscy. Mon
mouth Park has been in the habit of insisting
upon the months Of July and August for itself.
This year it yielded the last fortnight in
August TO the We,tchester course, but it is
reported that Monmouth intends to race through
both months in 1890, and not concede day to
any one. 1t has no right TO so excessive and
eXorbtant a share Of the racing season. The
New ork tracks are confined by law to the
i've months between May 8 and October 5.
There are now three clubs in New-York and
one in Brooklyn TO provide for. The American.
the Coney Island and the Brooklyn have had
only a month apiece, fortnight for each Of
their meetings, while up to this year Monmouth
has laid violent hands on two months a new
schedule of dates might be arranged which
would contine Monmouth to August. In that
case four months out Of the five could be
imicably divided among the clubs in this
State. If Monmouth should wish to fight she
might fight and welcome There would be
nothing unfair about that apportionment, and
here is no good reason why the New-Yorll
,lubs should permit single club in another
state to take two whole months out of the five
hat are available. But whatever changes may
be made, at least Jerome Park should be
in unimpaired honor and dignity.
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