Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-25
TURF ENTHUSIASTS
ARE STILL HOPING
All Idea of Giving Up Sport in
New York Is Not Yet
Admitted
AMATEURS TO THE FRONT
0ne-Day Meetings May Serve to
Keep Racing Alive for
the Present
AMATEURS TO THE FRONT

NEW YORK, Aug. 24--Racing is not
dead in New York state, even though
the sport for this year will come to
an end at Saratoga Springs August 81.
This statement is made on the author
ity of several men who are closely
identified with the sport and who have
worked hard and earnestly in an effort
to keep it alive under trying condl-
tions. The directors of the various
racing associations felt called on to
cancel the fall dates because of the
directors liability law, which makes
them criminally responsible for any
gambling on their premises. Under
the advice of counsel it was consid-
cred best to have the courts interpret
a measure which Is considered amblg-
uous before another meeting is held,
as no one cared to run the risk of in
dictment and possible punishment for
an offence of which he did not con-
slider himself guilty. While 1t is cause
for regret that the meetings cannot be
conducted without betting of any kind,
and while horsemen and those inter-
ested in the sport are gloomy and de-
pressed, there are many who hold the
opinion that the future of racing is not
so black as painted and that the death
knell has not been sounded. Schuyler
l.. Parsons stated at Saratoga that
there was hope for the future and that
clear up the situation, so that meetings
could be conducted next year without
fear of violating the statutes.
1t has been pointed out that whereas
a certain amount of betting is neces-
sary to the life of the sport. it does
not follow that the gambling spirit Is
uppermost. 1t Is important, however,
for those who go to the track to local
ize their interest, and this can be done
hIVinp Shqra X.
in a certain horse for the moment. The
enjoyment of a running race, a lawn
tennis match or a regatta is increased
a hundredfold If interest is localized by
the appearance of a son, brother or
a cousin. The same is true in football
or baseball, through the ability to root
for ones college or ones home city.
When a Colin, a Fitzherbert or some
other great horse which has made turf
history goes to the post crowd will
turn out that can enjoy race without
the sign of a wager, but in general
the rank and file of racegoers are not
interested in any particular horse or
any particular owner, In which case it
is necessary, for Kcener enjoyment, to
center interest on some particular
horse, which can be done only by
small bet. There is no law against in
dividual betting, and public bookmak-
ing was stamped out three years ago.
The various racing associations have
worked hard to re-establish the sport
under new conditions, and were doing
fairly we'll until the passage of the di-
rectors' liability law, which Is not thor
oughly understood, cast another blight
on the sport
Interest in the sport may be kept
alive this fall by a number of one-day
amateur race meetings. These will not
take the place of the regular meetings
with the so-called regulars" but they
will serve their purpose and keep the
way open. 1t Is hard to forecast at
this time Just what such men as James
r. Keene, August Belmont, John E.
Madden, r. T. Wilson, jr., and other
big owners and breeders will do to
protect their interests, but it is safe
to say that while some horses may be
shipped abroad many will be kept in
this country to await developments.