The San Francisco call., 1906-11-16
RACING AT ASCOT
STILL REMAINS
IN DOUBT
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALI

CEEOlAL DlSEAINh ~ 5lfE tAlI-
LOS ANGELES. Nov 15.-Whether or
not Ascot Park opens for the winter
race meet on Thanksgiving day de-
pendS entirely upon the attitude taken
by the City Council of Los Angeles.
for there is a city ordinance prohibit
ing bookmaking within the corporation
limits, and since the annexation of a
strip of land running to the sea, Ascot
Park is included within the city lines.
It requires about two weeks TO have
the annexation election certified by the
proper authorities, and it is about that
time that Ascot opens. The only hope
of the Jockey Club is to prevail upon
the Council either to repeal the ordi-
nance in the way. or grant a special
dispensation to Ascot
A remote method to effect delay
would be to tie up the election returns
by legal proceedings on some pra-ext
but this could not be prolonged all
winter, it is believed, for from all ac-
counts the election was a fair one.
Therefore, the City Council is the storm
center. and there is much button -holing
of members and lobbying at every
meeting and between times. The Jockey
Club will base its fight for a special
dispensation of some sort on the attf-
tude of the council heretofore taken in
regard to the fall harness horse meet
at Agricultural Park. For that meet
ing. usually lasting five days. a special
permit to sell pools has been granted
each year. Bookmaking has been pro-
hibited, however, and horsemen fear
that a distinction will be drawn be-
tween the two. There has been a strong
element against racing and bookmak-
ing. and while the annexation was ef-
fected primarily to include San Pedro
Harbor within the city, the anti-Ascot
workers will take full advantage Of
the situation TO wipe out the racing
game.
A strong effort was made last win
ter to have the County Supervisors
pass ordinance prohibiting book
making, but the racing interests were
backed up by majority and the at
tempt failed after a hard fight. This
fall a fight on the supervisorial can
didates was made In the effort to over
come the majority. but the racing in
have the matter thrown out of the
hands of the Supervisors into the juris-
diction of the Council by the annexa
ton proceedings.
The Los Angeles Jockey Club has
booked all its entries for the year, an
nounced its features and assigned sta
bic room to the visiting horsemen
Everything is ready for the opening
of the racing season, and vast sums of
money are tied up in the venture.
Friends of Ascot are using this argu-
ment to have the City Council allow
racing this year, at least. in order to
allow the promoters to clear on their
investments.
After this year it is certain Ascot
Park will close. for the land is very
valuable and the sale of lots would net
the stockholders full value on their
original investments. Lucky Baldwin's s
new racing association may take up
the reins at Arcadia. fourteen miles
from Los Angeles. 1t is proposed to
have the track open by September,
1907
Manager ]. NJ Brooks of the Los
Angeles Jockey Club is optimistic de-
spite the gloomy conditions and be-
lieves that business interests will pre-
vail against the sentimental opposition
Brooks led the fight of the anti-an-
nexationists in the interest Of the race
track. Now he is engaged in trying to
secure the repeal of the anti -bookmak-
ing ordinance. Meanwhile horseman and
their stables continue to arrive daily.
During the week of November 90 a
number of running races will be pulled
off in connection with the harness
horse meet at Agricultural Park Pool
selling only will be permiffed