The Washington times., 1907-08-25

SARATOGA. Aug. 24-suhlcient time
has elapsed since the opening Of the
track at Empire City to pretty fairly es-
innate TIE effect Of racing there on the
local game.
While II is true that some o. the turf
followers left Saratoga for Yonkers. 81
is equally true that a goodiy portion
OF them have already returned or are
preparing TO. Il is likewise certain that
there has been no diminution in the at
tendance AT the races here.
The expert turf writer's now located
in Saratoga generally conceded this fact
most willingly. and many OF them are
Of the opinion that there has never been
a larger following here or one more
representative than can be found at the
track today. Empire City has been
dlawing a good attendance. to be sure.
but 1t has not been drawn from Sara
toga. a feet that seems TO suggest that
those who go 10 Yonkers would not
come to Saratoga and those who are
here prefer the conditions under which
the sport is conducted at the local track.
The result suggests that there must be
a reason and one has not far to seek II.
The second week OF racing has been
far superior 10 the first six DAYS. The
attendance has not only been twice as
large, but the sport itself has been better
IN every respect. The coed horses are
being paraded. and the class shown the
past Few days has been of the very best
The dissolution OF the powerful Gates
Durnen confederacy IS stiH the topic Of
conversation here. Many and varied
reasons have been given for the aban-
aonment OF the American turf by Mr.
Gates an6 the dispersal sale Of the
horses owned by the partnership
Some OF the opinions expressed are
absurd, while others have a more def
mite ring 10 them. When the real causes
are known II will be found that Mr.
Gates severed his connection with rae
ing on this side OF the Atlantic sinply
because his business was everyone eise's
business. The publicity given to his bet
ting operations by certain New York
papers was very distasteful to the mil
Honaire. and, despite his deniais that his
wagers were frequently under a mil
lion" The papers kept at him hammer
AMI tongs. He is quoted as having said
to friend al the pier the morning he
sailed that ne was tired Of IT." and
wanted to go where he would never see
another American newspaper reporter.
IN selling out his stable-for it is gen
orally conceded that Mr.. Gates owned
every one Of the horses trained by Dur
neii--one OF the best racing establish
ments around New York was broken
up. Every horse In the stable was a
winner, and if Mr.. Gates had been al
lowed to conduct his turf transactions
as he deemed Mt, there is no telling
what sum OF money the confederacy
would have stored up before the snow
began TO ny.
George Bennett, the weIi-known
Memphis turfman, who arrived here
several days ago. made the trip to New
York BY sea, taking the steamer from
New Orleans. While in the Crescent
City he visited the Fair Grounds, where
extensive improvements are going on.
In speaking Of the place Mr.. Bennett
said racegoers viii not know the
grounds when they get there next Win
ter. The steel srandstand now in the
course Of completion is one Of the finest
IN the country. The track has beer
widened both in the stretch and back
stretch, and the famous turn al ths
! seven-eighths pole has been obliterated
There are 300 men at work on ths
plant. ana Mr.. Bennett said that vhsr