Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-20
RACES OPEN UP IN APRIL
Start Will Be Made at the Aqueduct
Track in New York City.
LIBERAL POLICY IS PURSUED
Events Bid Fair to He More Attrnc-
tive Than Last Year, which
Means an Increased Pub
&c Interest.

NEW YORK, Feb. 19.-The announce
ment by the Jockey club stewards that
the metropolitan racing season will open at
Aqueduct on April Is was received with
enthusiasm by the leading horsemen, who
at once began to telegraph to the local
racing association for stable accommoda-
lions. Judging from the unusual number of
requests received 1t is safe to say that
when Aqueduct's gates open there will be
plenty Of racing material, in fact, about
twice the number Of horses that were on
hand when Belmont Park opened the sea-
son last year on May IS.
August Belmont, chairman of the Jockey
club, has framed the liberal policy which
provides 1874 days of continuous racing on
the New York tracks in spite OF the finan-
cial loss that may be incurred. Mr.. Bel
mont made a study Of the conditions last
spring when the tracks were racing only
three or four days a week, with poor fields
and small crowds, and he realized then
that in order to attract the best horses
together with those Of the so-called poor
owners there should be few II any open
dates. Owners of racing stables who make
a business OF the sport are in the majority
and II is natural for them to go where they
can secure the best results. When the win
e hldShS SlOSS hSAl LllOllll lilGIc VII bC
some sport in Kentucky, but after that
there would be a possible invasion of
Canada II the local racing season did not
open on scheduled time. So with April Is
as the day for the beginning Of racing
here, horseman of all classes nave received
assurance that they will be taken care of
for seven months with very little extra
expense incurred by transportation from
place to place. With liberal stakes and
purses offered by every racing association
and events framed to provide chances OF
winning for all, horsemen are quick to see
that the Jockey club has not overlooked
their welfare and as a result they are
going to ship their stables here with re-
newed loyalty.
Patrons Commend Move.
Turf patrons who nave advocated the
full quota OF dates on the New York tracks
are ready to commend Aqueduct and
Jamaica for their willingness to go ahead
with the usual spring meetings regardless
OF a conflict with Pimlico. As a matter OF
face few believe that Pimlico will Gu
much OF a figure in the eastern racing
game this year, as New Workers. will be
able to save railroad fares and hotel bills
by attending the sport in Queens county
The stakes and purses to be hung up for
competition at Aqueduct and Jamaica will
be more attractive than the ones offered
by the Maryland track, which means that
many owners and trainers who went tc
Pimlico last spring will remain here.
In the allotment OF dates to Brighton
Beach and Empire city, which received
fourteen days and twelve days. respec.
lively, there was no intention to be unfair
These tracks did not want fall dates undeI
any circumstances and their owners madC
that point clear at the preliminary con,
ferences. Each could have secured ten day
In the autumn II desired, but the propo
sition was declined with thanks, That wai
WHY Aqueduct and Jamaica received six
teen days each for fall meetings. NOR,
than ever before. Whether the tracks will
make any money or not this year remain
to be seen. They must depend entirely upol
the patronage of the public, as no othei
revenues aside from gate receipts are pos
sible. II the average daily attendant,
amount to 5000 paid admissions there ma!
be some small profits, but II is hardl!
probable this average can be maintained
throughout the entire season.
The racing itself bids fair to be NOR,
attractive than last year, however, whlcl
probably means increased public interest
and II the rights OF individuals to be
among themselves are not interfered will
there will be reasonably plain sailing. Tn,
Jockey club has determined to make a NOR
persistent fight to keep racing alive an,
horsemen are praising the turf solons 70
their pluck.