The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-30
GOSSIP OF THE RACETRACK
MORE RUMORS RELATING TO EN-
PRE- CITY ARE DENIED.
James Russell soIey Says That Ceiia. Con-
don, COrrignn, Rhin0ck u other
westerners Are 10 No way identified
with James Butler King Transactions.


All sorts OF rumors we're In circulation at
Brighton yesterday relative 10 The future ~
tho Empire City track at Yonkers The fact
that Louis A. Celia Of 81. Louis. a leading
factor In the Affairs Of the Western Jockey
Club. a stookhoider in the Fair Grounds.
New Orleans. and other racetracks In the
West and a bookmaker on the local circuit,
paid a visit TO the Yonkers track on Sunday
was the basis for r story that he was either
interested in Empire City or was a prospec-
tive buyer OF the property. In fact several
well posted men declared that they knew
that both Celia and John Condor. owner OF
the Harlem track. Chicago. were behind
James Butler and that their personal repre-
sentative was Matt J. VIM. the new manager
Of the Butler plant. just why Celia inspected
the Yonkers track with unmistakable interest
nobody could say yesterday. Celia stated
10 his friends thai he went TO Yonkers purely
out Of curiosity and that he had no business
relations with Butler or any other stockholder
10 the plant. But he was there Just the same.
and for that reason the gossips were busy
with his name all the afternoon,
IL was also said that VIM. Celia and Con-
don held a conference at the Waldorf Astoria
Sunday night, but IL was said at the hotel
yesterday that Condor had not been there.
A man who il in close touch with Condor said
yesterday that the Chicago man had intended
to visit Alaska and was probably on his way
there. This man also insisted that the rela-
tons between Condor and Celia were rather
strained and that VIM was In no way identi-
fed with Condor. but was the right hand
agent OF Ed Corrigan.
Another story that was frequently re-
peated was to the effect that as soon as the
Empire track received formal recognition
from the Jockey Club the plant would he
sold outright TO a syndicate composed Of
Celia, CorriRan. Condor. Rhinock, VIM.
and others who have pooled interests in the
West. The circulators Of this yarn insisted
that the Western men had been trying for a
long time 70 get a foothold here and that As
soon as James Butler, by means Of successful
legal proceedings. secured q license from
the State Racing Commission the Western
syndicate decided to make a play for the
Yonkers track. All Of these stories we're
repeated last night to James Russell Solely.
attorney for the Empire track. who said:
You can put it as strongly as possible
that James Butler stands alone in this enter
prise-Cella. Condor. Corrigan, Rhinock and
other Western men that have been mentioned
In connection with the Empire track have
no dealings OF any nature whatsoever with
Mr.. Butler. People seem to forget that MIR.
Butler does not need financial assistance in
this venture and that he can buy and sell
any OF the Western men named here. The
fact that we have engaged VIM means
.AAhbhf INV w " ~ Y 'A"Nn
available. He II under contract TO us and
has no relations with an alleged Western
syndicate as far as Empire City IL concerned.
we have been conducting indirect ne
gotiatione with the Jockey Club for several
days and tomorrow We will send to the
stewards a letter. including our list Of
prospective officials and a schedule Of our
events. We hope TO secure in return an
approval Of our meeting. II we do we will
conduct IL strictly In accordance with the
rules If the Jockey Club. which means that
IL Corrigsn should want to race at Ionkers
he would be barred, as he Is on all Of the Jockey
Club tracks. We are going ahead with the
improvements a. Empire City as fast as pos
sible and we hope to have everything ready
by next Monday. but you can rest assured
that we will not open the gates then unless
the track and transportation facilities are in
perfect order. There might he a delay of
two OF three days. but | hardly think so now.
We intend TO give a high class meeting which
will enjoy the confidence Of the public. So
called Western methods will not prevail and
the racing will he kept as clean as that on
the other big tracks"
The ~trotting horses were all removed from
tbs track yesterday. There are $50 81 alls in
the track stables while 3O0stals in the vicinity
have been engaged. Twenty horses from
Lstonia arrived at Empire City on Saturday.
while others from the same place. also from
St. Louis. Louisville, Toronto. Fort Erie and
other Western points are expected within
the NEXT day or two. Horsemen who have
been racing on the Jockey Club tracks and
who do not intend to go to Saratoga are
anxious to have The differences between
Yonkers and the Jockey Club anicahly settled
80 that they can race al the Butler track.
4 visit TO the Workers course yesterday
revealed the fact that the held stand. which
will seat about 2,5GO persons, il rapidly
paariny nnntnlafinn Tho Grand afanI uhanh
has a seating capacity Of 1000. is one Of the
finest In the country and is in excellent con-
dition. So are the clubhouse and paddock.
The track itself was ploughed up yesterday,
and a new top dressing will be spread upon
II to-day. so that by Friday It will be possible
for horses to work over it. The loop for trolley
cars just back of the clubhouse will be ready
for use before Saturday. Manager VIM had
a large force Of men hustling all day and
said that he believed the meeting would open
on Monday in accordance with the plans.
Caterer McGrath. who supplies food and
dnnk on the Jockey club tracks, has secured
tho privileges. II the Pinkerton agency wants
the job OF preserving order at the track il
can have it.
The bookmakers at Brighton Beach, while
they lost money on the day. we're in "a rather
cheerful mood when the last race MAS decided.
for John W. Gates was not on hand. Druid.
the winner of the first event. was tremen-
dously backed. She opened nj even money
and was hammered Town to Is to 20. But
the books won some good money waRered
on Tipping. Miss Strome and Betsy Binford
for the place.
Live Wire. the winner NJ the second race,
was n heavily backed favorite. vet he went
No from even money 10 9 To : because Of the
play that reduced Jubilee from = to I to
alto s. Earl's Court was also solidly backed
for the place, while Countcrmand was lowered
from 10 to Is.
r. r.. Bradley and his friends took n bundle
from the books when Troublemaker won the
third race. The Cesarion colt was played
three ways. his price dropping from 10 10 g.
Robin Hood was also taken across the boards
But much smart money was lost on Big Ben,
= steady favorite at ! to 2. Don Hamilton.
Royal Onyx. Diamond Golden West. Bel
demo. Cloisteress. Don Domo and Belle Strome
were all supposed good things in this event.
The smart players went 10 Bat Masterson in
the Glen Cove Handicap. backing him down
from 3 to = 10 ). This caused SeNell to go back
from ; to . 10 : TO =. while f.. = Burke. Jr. y,
W. II. Daniel. who made his first appearance
nj the season. Teceded from 9 TO ! to > 10 ,.
Botanist, with T.. Dugan up. was we'll played,