New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-05
RACING'S FATE In DOUBT
OPINIONS IRE DITIDED.
Various ASSOCIATIONS to Discuss
Question at Meeting Soon.

What effect the re-sIectIon If Governor Hughes
will have on thoroughbred racing in this state
next year was a burning question among followers
of the sport in this city yesterday. Many thought
that the death knelI OF racing had been sounded.
while the more optimistic expressed hope that
when the higher courts lad passed on the inter-
probation OF the law against beokmaking and pool
selling oral betting would be permitted. and that
the sport would be continued IN a modified form.
Some few even assert that gambling Is not
essential racing. and hope that the sport be-
so conducted as not 70 violate even in spirit the
state constitution.
The various racing associations postponed the
closing early stakes until after election, and no
definite statement could be obtained yesterday
TO just what would be done In the way OF making
plans for next year In all probability meeting
OF the representatives of the various associations
viii be held shortly to discuss the question
length and decide to what should be done under
the circumstances. The meetings This year since
the passage of the AgIew-HaTt law have been
conducted at loss even At Jamaica. where TO
stakes were of AMI where the majority Of the
purses were only SEQ which was anything buc
couraging.
The associations have hung on this year in the
hope that change for the better might come. but
1t is safe TO assume a ~en known hOrseman said
yesterday that the stockholders will not care to
face loss another year. and that no meetings
will be held unless they see chance to pay
penses.
Most of the members OF the Jockey Club were
conspicuous by their absence Jamaica yesterday.
when the curtain rung down the present
season p J. Dwyer, president OF the Brooklyn
Jockey Club and OF the Queens County Jockey
Club. not particularly optimistic. although he
expressed the belief that there would be racing
year
1t IS too early to surnise TO what may
may not be done until after the representa-
tives OF the various associations have discussed
the question" said Il am IN favor OF and will
do my part toward holding meetings AT Gravesend
and Aqueduct. and believe that with reasonable
Interpretation Of the law by sthe highest
courts the meetings could be conducted with
out loss. The purses you'd be small Of neces-
sity and 1t might be considered advisable to do
away with all complimentary badges I am IN
decided whether it will be better make the ad-
mission or to raise It TO S, but there is plenty
Of time TO decide that question For myself, I
would be willing to stand a loss next year as
have this, in the hope that the sport may be built
up again
Ex-senator Reynolds president OF the Metropoli-
tan Jockey Club was less optimistic and said that
in his opinion racing doomed In this state, al
though he hoped he wrong. He called atten-
ton &c the size of the crowd at the track yester-
day, and said that it indicated to him that racing
without betting could possibly live When
asked II he would hold a spring and fall meeting
Jamaica next year. he said that il was too early
as yet TO make any announcement
Frank K. Sturgis, treasurer OF the Jockey Club.
would not discuss the election to its bearing
racing next year, although he said that so far as
the administration OF the affairs of the state was
concerned the reelection Of Governor Hughes was
undoubtedly a good thing