New-York tribune., 1906-05-07
RACING SCENE CHANGES.
Metropolitan Handicap To Be Ran
at Belmont, Park Thursday.

The racing scene will change on Thursday to
spacious Belmont Park. where the Westchester
Racing Association will begin its first spring
meeting of nine days with the running of the
historic Metropolitan Handicap Brilliant as
the season already has been in racing, the future
holds in store contests between horses of class
that will be more sensational and more enjoyed
because Of the glamour which surrounds the
meeting of the best thoroughbreds in the rich
and classic stakes. Racing folk looking for
ward to the coming meeting at Belmont Park
and we'll they may as the outlook is particularly
bright. Unless all signs fail, twenty-five thou
sand persons will the Metropolitan Handi-
cap decided, for outside of the interest in that
particular race there Is the desire to spend an
afternoon at a track where to all appearances
at least there is less commercialsm and more
real sport. The big inclosure at Belmont Park
is well suited to accommodate a monster crowd
Improvements in detail have been made, and
nothing is now lacking for the complete enjoy
ment Of an afternoons racing. The horses will
run the reverse way of the track This was an
experiment last year which did not please at
first but was later accepted and this season even
looked forward TO.
There is every promise Of good sport to wind
UP the Jamaica meeting. The Williamsburg
Handicap is the fixture to-day. and a particu-
larly strong field Of three-year-ods Is carded in
cluding Halifax Clark GrifTth First Premium
Inquisitor. Zienap, Oyama, Bill Phillips and Be-
Olds and upward at one mile and sixteenth
will be the feature tomorrow. 1t is weight
for age race. and Roseben is likely to go to the
post in an effort TO redeem himself for his de-
feat in the Excelsior Handicap. Among those
eligible are Merry Lark Delhi Oxford Race
King, Eugenia Burch, Lord of the Vale. or
mondes Right, Phil Finch, Hamburg Belle and
Tokalon. so that good race is in prospect. The
Suffolk Stakes for twO-year-Olds at five fur
longs is the attraction for the closing day on
Wednesday.
The report OF the old State Racing Commits
sion and the appointment Of the new one by
Governor Higgins last week are still fruitful
sources Of conversation among racegoers The
personnel OF the new body was something of a
surprise, but better selection could hardly
have been made, all things considered. H K.
Knapp, who in all probability will be selected as
chairman, is we'll qualified to take up the work
where August Belmont left off and carry it
along in a way to place the sport on an even
higher plane He is an earnest progressive
worker, and has long been one of the most ac-
tive members and stewards of the Jockey Club.
Mr.. Wadsworth is lover of the sport even
though he does not take a particularly active
interest while Mr.. Sanford, the only old member
Of the commission to hold over, has long been
identified with any movement which would tend
to build up racing in the state. The report Of
the commission for last year was the more re-
markable in view of the fact that the various
racing associations raised the price of admis-
sion and refused to accept any revenue from the
bookmakerS. II argued that racegOers
would not pay $3 to go to the track, and there
appeared to be a decided falling off in the at
tendance AT first but it only temporary
and this year more persons are going than ever
before. The report showed that the per cent
tax on the gross receipts was a little short OF
/ $200O0O and was exceeded only i'm 1903. II
/ showed the wonderful growth of the sport since
| the appointment of the State Racing Commits
! sion In 1903. and II showed that by the help of
the tax the agricultural societies. for which the
! fund Is set apart exclusively, had grown and
prospered. Judging by the first few weeks Of
/ the present season. the report for 1906 will go
/ well over $2O00O0 and make il possible for
! the societies to continue their good work and
! extend the scope of their usefulness.