The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-08
REVIEW OF RACING SEASON
POPULARITY SHOWN m ATTEND
ANCE AND PROFITS.

s3t@s ilbW I'M ANANea-eDncMeN NAuD AhhNB
20 the Fact m JObbery Has Been
BkanlpAmG AZ TAmes-aemdmg Trainers
AMI JOrkeys-Rmptre City'a RecOWnl-
tIOn-CursOrS GLANCE at the Wears I'M
terestlng Events On EAstarn tracks,.
The racing season Of 1907 under the
auspices OF the Jockey Club was remark
able in many respects. While all OF tho
tracks were patronized to the point OF
establishing new attendance figures and the
stockholders in the various racing assOcia-
ions were enabled to secure more aluable
dividends than in previous years, the
chief interest in the campaign centred in
the wonderful achievement OF James X.
koeDe's stable, which won in stakes and
purses a trifle more than slO2 900 between
April Is and NOvem y IS.
This mark is "a worlds record and far
excels the former figures held for nearly
ton years by the Duke Of Portland. The
popularity OF Mr.. Ksene's famous thorough
breeds has always been intense, but it may
be said that there was greater public salts
faction in the success of the Castleton bred
racers this year than ever before in the
history OF The turf in this country. As
vioe-chairman of the Jockey Club Mr..
X eene has always taken a vigorous part in
the mana cement OF the turf in this country.
60 hat the success OK his great breeding
establishment in Kentucky, together will
that Of his world famous racing stable,
tneans simply that Mr.. Keene has earned not
only a just reward for his efforts in behalf
u clean sport but also the widespread
confidence OF the racing public throughout
the land.
With the Keene triumph the best evidence
Of how honestly a racing stable can be
conducted, it may be said that the horses
~ such we'll known patrons of the turf as
n. =. Whitney, August Belmont. II. X.
Knapp. r. X. Hitchcock, T. Hitchcock, Jr ,
H.. 3. Duryea, John Z. Madden. r. T. Wilson,
Jr.. Frank J. Farrell, s. c. Hildreth, r. {.
Mcdowell and others have also earned
the support OF racing patrons who love fair
play Ind square dealings. But in other
cases il must he said. with the 1907 cam
paign at ar end, that there was considerable
sharp practice. suspicious manipulation
queer workmanship and shady betting ring
transactions which caused no end ~ un-
favorable comment and finally aroused the
stewards Of the Jockey Club to a realizing
sense that drastic measures were absO-
lutely necessary.
Asa result Of a most careful investigation
q OF the biggest bookmak ers was han
ished, several Jockeys were prR ctically ruled
Cd, at least one big plunger from the West
was instructed TO keep away from here in
future, while a man who boasts Of a strong
political pull was put on side the gates,
charged with using what is commonly
called dope" to accelerate the speed 81 a
patched mp plug. All Of which proved con-
clusively that the Jockey Club. slow To put
the machinery under wa yet always ready
to strike q powerful blow when conclusive
evidence Of guilt il secured, stands ready at
all timee TO protect not only the sport itself
but also the best interests Of the thousands
Of men and women who with their liberal
patronage have made racing in New York
State what IL is to-day a bonanza for the
men who control the tracks and a source Of
profitable employment for a small army
Of workers.
The successful fight for recognition made
by James Butler. owner of the Empire City
track of Yonkers. was one the season most
notable events. Through the agency of his
able attorney. James Russell Solely, Mr..
Butler. in spite of vigorous opposition on
the part Of the State Racing Commission
and the Jockey Club, secured "A license for "A
meeting at Yonkers. which was most sue
c~essfully conducted. In spite of the fact
that the best Jockeys. the best horses, the
most competent officials and the biggest
bOokmakers steered clear OF the Butler
rack the metropolitan public demonstrated
beyond pe~radventure that racing here in
the month Of August is generally desired,
svsn though it cuts into the usual session at
Saratoga.
With the Court OF Appeals handing down
n decision approving Of the granting OF a
license to the Empire track came the final
knockout blow for the Racing Commission
and the Jockey Club. which had all along
been led To believe that the Court of Appeals
would frOwnu the Butler enterprise. But
all friction has apparently disappeared and
before another season rolls arOund Empire
City will be one of the regular circuit tracks
and a high class meeting will be held there
with the approval of the powers.
The attendance all season was phenOm-
NAL. The average daily attendance, ex-
elusive of Saturdays. holidays and special
feature days. was about 10000 persons.
On Saturda Us the figures ran all the way
from 25,OOO TO $1,000. IL was estimated
that 10000 persons saw the Futurity, the
Suburban and other big races, while at
Belmont Park on Decoration Day $1,000
persons passed through he tuTnstiles.
the total attendance on that occasion being
more than 5O.OOO. With such extreme lib
crafty on the part Of the public, therefore,
came the recent announcement tina The
Coney Island Jockey Club had decided to
increase the value Of all the stakes to be
run at the Bay in future. while the track
itself would be enlarged so that 10 would
be easily one Of the finest in the world.
This liberal example by the COney Island
Jockey Club. it is said. will he followed by
q similar policy on she part OF the other
racing associations, which will increase not
only the value Of the stakes but also the
purses hung up for overnight events sell
ing races. handicaps and special condition
Affairs in which the sO-Called poor owners
will have excellent chances To win some
good money. Meanwhile the agricultural
societies Of the State will receive the usual
sum OF 2OO.OOO or more aOcruing from the
state tax on the racetT acks while the Jockey
Clubs recently established breeding bureau.
with nearly forty stations scattered over
the State. will soon bear fruit.
As in previous years. James Rowe, A. J.
JOyner. John W. Rogers, Thomas Welsh.
Frank d.. Weir. I. J. Healy. John Higgins
and John Il. Madden carried on the training
hOnOrs. Rowe earned S4O.OOO as 10 per cent.
Of the keene stables winnings In addition
to a salary Of Si2,OOO. He indie the