New-York tribune., 1909-05-13
Racing Season Here at Last
New Era for the Sport Will Begin To-day with OPENING
& Belmont Park.

After months Of anxious waiting, the racing sea
son in the metropolitan district will be formally
opened at Belmont Park to-day. with the running
OF the Metropolitan Handicap at one mile, as the
leading feature Now that the law against organ
ized bookmaking has been interpreted by the
courts, and there is no longer the dread of con-
stant surveillance and petty annoyances Which
marked the closing DAYS Of the sport last year the
real test Of whether racing can live without or
ganfzed betting will come. with every reason to be
lieve that the effort to rehabilitate It will prove
successful
So far as can be judged lovers OF the thorough
bred are hungry for racing, and will return in such
numbers even with a system Of oral betting IN
force which according TO the courts Is not Ylola-
ton OF the law. that the various racing associa-
tions will feel justified in the part they are play
ing with the aid OF the Jockey Club ana the As
socIatfon Of Owners and Breeders, 10 build up the
sport once more on a foundation uia' caii"'' '
shaken.
Some Of the old glories of racing may be lacking
at the ma gnihcent inclosure at Belmont PARK 10
day but in all probability the faithful Will be the'e
10 lend what encouragement they can ana lHoi-
dentauy TO enjoy what promises to be rare day 5
sport 4 good programme has been provided ana
the Metropolitan Handicap will lose none OF us m
terest because its value is less than IN FORMER
years.
Thirteen horses have been named overnight lot
The fixture which is now taking It's place aIlohe
the historic stakes Of the American turf. and un-
less all signs fail its running will not fall behind
those which have gone before, so far as keen ana
hitter strife is concerned. Jack Atkin the nero OF
the race year ago. Is not sent cut among inc
entries but there is Chsnce that ne may ne
added at the last minute, the big spr1n1er mas
been working well. according 70 the clockers' hls
nresenee would add some interest. but he VIII not
he missed as there are plenty Of good horses
named TO fight out the finish
s c Hildreth's King James, which won -the
BURNS Handicap in California last winter ana
which would have been considered great morse
last season in the absence of such stars as conn.,
F2a1lot and Fair Play. i5 at top weight win 10
mounds He will be ridden by Guy Burns ana as
good reports come from his training quarters ne
may be considered a sure starter. with MS stahe
conpapfon Restigouche, which ran second IN me
Netropolitan last year in the colors OF James h
Keene In point Of fact the Hildreth entry VIII
Drobably 20 10 the post favorite judging from the
talk among followers Of the sport last night
The light weighted Don Creole. which ran third
2 year ago. after poor start and wide turn INTO
the stretch, IS fancied by many who have oeeh
watching his work in the early morning He gal
loped a mile with weight Up several days ago IN
AZ and this is thought quite good enough TO make
him dangerous. Scovile will have the mount
Jobn E Madden holds a strong hand win
Fsvette which was considered by many good
Judges quite the equal OF his stable companion Sir