The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-23
LOVE FOR HORSE
PRESERVES RACING
BY JAMES DoCkERALL

New York, May 22.-While racing took
a squirt in the east with the opening Of
the Belmont park meet which will run
until May &c. the outlook for the turf
has never been so gloomy. Belmont park
has already marked he beginning of
high-class racins-the real sport. On its
lawns men who control millions of dol
lars worth of securities forfeit finance
for the time being and gossip with their
neighbors regarding the potency for speed
In one particular strain of blood overl
that of many others. The women, carry-
ing fortunes on their heads and shoulders,
in the form of the millners and the
dressmaker's art. listen attentively to all
this, but like as not cast to the winds
the advice of the sages of the turf when
their eyes catch SIGHT of some attractive
racing colors. Then they are willing e
risk a box of bonbons on their choice
the horse with thke catchy name that il
carrying the pretty colors.
Racing is not dead--it never will di,
so long as men hold in their hearts low
for horse. That this affection for tn,
thoroughbred is deeply rooted and not I, 4
thing of passing moment or f1eeting fame;
for brilliant spectacle the history o
the sport tells III
For over hundred years there hav
been attacks against it, but it has sur
vved and is now more securely en-
trenched in the hearts of the people tn
world over than the day when Lord Rocl
inghams Ollabaculia won the ST. Lego
stakes of 1776-the first important rae
ever run.
When such men as August Belmon
James r. Keene, R. T. Wilson, Jr., Gel
Stephen Sanford. Harry Payne Whitnt
and w. K. Vanderbilt will spend tho
sands of dollars maintaining breedif
farms for the sake of possessing one 4
two great horses that are endowed wi
superb speed courage and endurance al
will spend hours that run into day
weeks, months and years-time TIL
means thousands of dollars to them
their business interests-to establish re-
ing on high plane, there must be SON
thing in this sport besides the gambli
end of 1.-THE only side that the enemi
of racing hold up to view.
Katonah, James r. Keenes best 2-yei
old, died in the stable at Sheepshead BIZ
Because of an epidemic in his stable
Keene was not well represented duril
the AQueduct meet, ana IN the early raj
at Belmont Park. Maskette caught
cough and Hilarious did not respond
training.
Francis r. Hitchcock. one of the std
ards of the Jockey club and one of
best known turmen in the east. 81
recently:
American stable owners have got
tired of the persecution of the legi;
lures and are getting ready to ship tH
stables to England. If it doesn't ce}
The outlook for racing has been gloon
in the past few weeks than 1t has
been before.
There seems to be no call for
manner in which the lawmakers n
gone after the owners of racetraI
Small owners are completely discoursi
and large owners are disgusted. Il
"Of course racing will exist but "
be for a favored few. Racing In Anne
is rapidly approaching that state whel
can well be called the sport of xiii
None but the rich wiz soon be abld
enjoy the sport
Richard T. Wilson, Jr.. president
the Saratoga Racing association, whoI
a bigger stable this year than forml
says:
1.-THE legislatures look only to the d
bling feature of racing. They oven
the great amounts of money distrih
and the fact that horse flesh can onlI
improved by racing 1t has looked DID
full whether the fall meets would bel
or not"