The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-30
RACE MEETINGS PROPOSED
AT THE OLD PlMLlC0 COURSE
Members Wish to Obtain Recognition
and Dates From the
Jockey Club.

Baltimore, Nov. 29.-The accounts OF the
Maryland Steeplechase Association were
audited yesterday and the meeting held at
Pimlico early this month proved to be q
success, as the two previous ones were.
Mr.. William P. Riggs, who managed the
meeting, stated that he and the other MEM
bers OF the committee were wen pieased
with the results.
The meeting was given by about 200 gen.
tlemen, who subscribed SIS each. For this
the subscribers receive compensation in the
way OF privileges. Each subscriber is en-
titled to q meeting badge. also one for his
coachman. He Is also entitled to drive his
carriage into the infield. In all Of the meet
ings gwen q portion Of the subscription
money has been returned to the subscrib-
ers.
of eacn 10 TINS seasvn. rnus reuuc.ns $40
outlay by the subscribers to just about
what it would cost them for the privileges
enjoyed. While this management has proved
satisfactory tor three-day meetings, the Of
ficials have become convinced that now is
the proper time to branch out.
1t is understood that there will be steeple
and hurdle races given newt season at the
AQueduct course, and 1t is also rumored
that the Jockey Club is contemplating the
syndicattng OF q number Of race tracks
throughout the country. This. in connec-
ton with the proposed sale of Pimlico,
r ms : eao1y a 9scoani hs5e f amReT tha eoct TO
Club it would be necessary to have a regu-
iarly incorporated jockey club here with a
membership OF more than 90.
IMe eAccutl.e o:lcia-s OF the Maryland
Steeplechase Association have been dis
cussing the matter Informally, and 1t is
held and definite action taken. The idea
would be to hold five or ten days Of racng
at Pimlico each spring and fall. While race
are money-making Investments, the Mary
and Steeplechase Association members are
after the racing and not the profits. For
William c. Whitney, August Belmont ct
al. interested in the Pimlico property. Let
tiers have. been written these gentlemen
the safety Of an investment in the seventy
seven acres Of LAM in the course.
vii E1p nat s believe md II the ssa pr9 II oS s !. ;Ol lett 1t
many estimatins that 5000 would af buy It.
AS the title will be given by the court, it
The little three-day meeting lately given
proved that racing is popular and would
there a number Of dat races We're out on
the programme. The association reduced
the entrance to the course from 81 to 80
added $3.50 to each purse. thus Increasing
the expenses more than double those of any
previous meeting. By spending more than
their meeting hey not only paid the addi-
tional expenses, but prof1ted by so doing.
Tne attendance during the three days was
nearly three times as large as that at any
previous meeting.
The highest price ever paid for the pool
privileges at any previous meet was 1890.
At the late meeting the privilege sold for
$2,10e. The bookmakers were satisfied
with their investment aud said they would
be on hand with bids whenever the ~associa-
ton should hold another meeting.
The crowds which paid 80 cents admis-
sion proved to be better bettors than those
which had gone to previous meets and paid
y admission. The programme was tudicious-
~ arranged. 1t was known that the crack
horses would not come to a meeting linn
Tied to three days. but enough second-class
horSes-there being more second-class
horses than cracks-wereb brought here, and
though the time made was not remarkably
fast the racing was good. There was an
fntermission Of one day after each days
racing. so that horses could get two races
during the meeting. The winner of a race
had. however. to pick UP a weight penalty.
In. his next race. which either put the
others In the field on an equality. with him
or else stamped him as a horse OF great
merit. As the cracks were not here 1t gave
the local horses a chance.
Il the Jockey. Club can be induced to
take an interest in Pimlico and regular
meetings held here. 1t will doubtless Inn
prove the class Of thoroughbreds in this To-
cality, though there will always be selling
and maiden classes In which many local
horses will be c~ontenders.