New-York tribune., 1910-01-07
JAN ES BUTLER HOME
Talks about Racing Here and
and at Juares, Merico.

James Butler. president Of the Empire
City Racing Association, arrived home
yesterday from FL Paso, Tex. where he
went 10 visit the new racecourse at Juarez.
Mexico, in which he is interested. In speak
ing Of his trip and the racing in Mexico,
Mr.. Butler said.
Racing in Mexico. particularly in Juarez.
has come TO stay We started at Juarez
the first of last December with many OBJ
stacles to overcome, but the new track.
which is one of the finest in North Amer
ica. is actually paying expenses. Matt
Winn, J. G. Follansbee ". II. Kraft.
Sehor Terrazas and other gentlemen with
whom 1 became associated in this venture
deserve praise fo- the way they have
toiled to make Juarez racing successful.
1t was something of an undertaking
to start out with a sport new TO the Mexi-
cans and citizens of El Paso. but Winn
and his friends went ahead and built a
wonderful track. The turf was at first
heavy and fast time was out of the ques-
ton, but the track improved so rapidly
that only the other day a mile was run in
1:39 and a fraction. There are nearly six
hundred horses stabbed al Juarez. and their
owners and trainers are a happy lot. They
did not expect such favorable conditions
when they went there, but now that the
permanency OF the venture is assured they
are very enthusiastic
While il cost several hundreds of thou
sands of dollars TO get the plant in ship
shape condition for racing. it was neces-
sary to complete the clubhouse and other
buildings. 50 We subscribed 100000 more
to carry ont these plans. The present
meeting viii extend until well into March
and next winter We will begin another long
session under more favorable auspices. The
trolley road has only just been carried to
the gates of the track and new cars have
been put on so that for nickel you can
go from the heart of FL Paso to the grand
stand in twenty minutes This is going
to help a lot during the rest of the pres
ent meeting.
The business men OF FL PasO by the
way, are enthusiastic over racing and what
It is going to do for that thriving city.
They were greatly annoyed some time ago
when professional reformers told Con-
gressionaI committee that there was in
tense opposition to racing at Juarez, and
they promptly sent petition, signed by
several thousand citizens, to Washington
asking that no action should be taken.
FL Paso is business centre and is rapidly
growing. l had not been there for many
years and l was surprised at the progress
made"
In speaking of racing in this state and
his plans for the coming season, Mr. Butler
said:
I have just purchased the property 10
Gated on the corner Of jerome and Yonk-
ers avenues. ard will include it in the
Empire track inclosure The paddock Will
be enlarged. and many improvements Will
be made, so shat the track will be one OF
the best in the metropolitan circuit. We
will offer stakes Of the usual values, and
will do all in our power to meet the de-
rlands Of the racing public and the horse
men.
i have named some highly tried two
year-Clds for some Of the leading stakes,
but I i.ave not as yet engaged trainer.
E r. Bradley and his trainer. W. Hurley,
bought the horses for me last year, but that
was simply TO help me get some good
ones l think racing in New York States
this year Will be extremely popular. and
! know that ! am not alone in this opinion.
Racing for that matter. is bound to come
back in other parts of tho country. for
persons are beginning to realize that the
sport is not so harmful, after all"