Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-15
FAITH IN FUTURE OF TURF
Confidence Inspired by Letter from
. August Belmont.
HE KEEPS BEST STOCK IN AMERICA
Chooses His Finest Horses TO stay
I'm the United states and
sends others Across the
water.

NEW YORK, Nov. H-Mr. August Bel
mont made a statement recently in a letter
TO a horseman I'm Lexington tnat inspires
confidence for the futSre VI the turf. Il
was evidently IN answer to a letter in con-
neotion with his future racing plans. The
reply informed the lexington man that
Mr.. Belmont had many horses left in this
country; in fact, lad chosen the best TO
stay here instead Of sending them abroad
This would indicate that lie has confidence
in the future Of the sport In the United
States. In commenting upon the exodus
of owners and horses to France and Eng
land Mr.. Belmont sard that 1t was far
better for large stables to remain in the
sport than to abaud)n it.
For American owners 10 start breeding
farms in France and England may posi-
bly, result in muoh greater international
interest than anythiag that would have
happened. Such a thing has not been at
tempted before and 1t should help both
countries. There have been great horses
in England and France, also great horses
in this country, bur thew have rarely been
brought together to dccid9 which was the
best. Never has an English star like
Persimmon been sent here and this coun-
try has never until this year sent a Colin
or Ballot to England to compete. Foxhall
was the best American horse that ever
raced in England, and that was many
wears ago. Since .hen horses Of value
have been sent there. hut only n small
percentage have ever shown advantage
ously. From the number of American bred
horses that have been sent to England
recently something may develop that viii
encourage a greater importation and ex-
nortation. 1t may he that tho American
article will show the 9dvahtagc, and II
| that is the case it will help .he thorough
bred world.
Home Product Favored.
In France it is easily seen why Mr.. Bel
mont has sent the nucleus Of a breeding
establishment. The rules Of racing In that
country lean very much to the home prod
uct. 1t Is only once In a while that there
are races for horses that are not bred in
France. One week in the year foreign
bred horses are permitted to race for rich
stakes and purses, such as the Grand Prix,
for example. Except that one week 1t is
rarely that n foreign bred horse has an
opportunity to race. With a breeding
farm in France 1t is more than probable
that Mr.. Belmont will awaken interest in
the American thoroughbred blood. In any
event. no harm cen be done by extending
the thoroughbred industry.
AS Mr.. James r. Keene said a few days
ago. it is as easy to bring the horses back
to this country as it was to send them
away, If circumstances arise that would
encourage owners in doing so. They were
not sent with the idea that there never
would be any more racing in New York
state, or all establishments would have
been closed up. Had not Mr.. Keene be-
lieved that he would need his trainer,
James Rowe. next year, he would surely
have made some suggestion about Rowe
going with Colin and Ballot, One should
not look too gloomily on the future OF
racing. 1t was going too fast, anyway A
check was predicted two or three years ago
Racing was becoming too common and
there was too much of II. After the SLUMP
of this year It will possibly be toned down
There are hundreds who would subscribe
literally to its advancement upon high
class principles.
Americana VIII Fight On.
The American track owners will carry
the matter of the constitutionality Of the
Agnew-Hart law to the court of appeals
the highest court in the state, during the
coming winter. If they should fail tC
win out on this they will want the cour
Of appeals to decide whether the anti
racing law has no limitations in its applica
ton to wagers on speed contests between
horses. II the so-called oral betting Il
held to be legal, as was ruled by Justice,
Bischoff and Gaynor, there is a chance
that some of the tracks may open. Blu
valuable purses are a thing of the past
At the present time Maryland and Canadl
are the only places in the east left open I,
the horsemen.