Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-22
RAC|NG'S FATE
IN AMERICA IS
NOW IN DOUBT
Abandonment of Events by New
York Jockey Club Causes
Speculation.
TURF GAME IS CONFINED
TO ONLY THREE STATES
August Belmont Says Sport Is
Victim of Adverse
Legislation.

NEW YORK. March 22.-The an
nouneement Of the Jockey Club that
there vii be no racing In New York
state this year Is the chief topic OF
discussion IN sporting circles here to-
day. Just what effect the action Of the
Jockey club viii have on thoroughbred
racing throughout the country is diff
cult for followers Of the sport here to
estimate. Racing will now be confined
to three states only-Kentucky. Vlr-
GINA and Maryland. Both Louisiana
and California have recently barred
racing, and Florida win follow suit
April 1.
J. B. Haggin. the most extensive
breeder of race horses in this country,
is finding a market for his horses in
the Argentine Republic and Europe.
England will benefit largely from
present conditions. II. p. Whitney,
James r. Keene. John E. Madden, Al
guest Belmont and other owners viii
probably send their stables TO race fol-
the big English stakes.
Eight New York Tracks Affected.
4IS dLLlDl "a lAlE 901bt5 1AAb AihCN-l
eight running tracks in this State. The
aggregate value OF the plants thus
made idle is about s12. 500, 900, divided as
Follows: Belmont Park, 1000, 600;
Sheepshead Bay, 81, 500. 900; Brooklyn,
81. 500, 600: jamaica, ST. o0, 900; Brighton
Beach. 1000, 600; Empire City. $1,000. :
900; Aqueduet, 81, 900. 900; Saratoga. ST.
900, 900. Fully a thousand thoroughbreds
.r{f1 -, tLw1,ur ont - training and
about 5000 persons employed directly
or indirectly IN connection with the
racing game Will be compelled to seek
work elsewhere.
The financial loss from the closing Of
the tracks, as estimated by racing men
here, will be in the neighborhood OF
500, 900, 900 a year.
The abandonment OF racing in New
York had been expected for some time.
Since the passage of The anti-betting
bills urged by Governor Hughes the
sport has been on a steady decline, and
with the passage 4 the Law making
directors Of racing associations re-
sponsible for betting it became APP
parent that barriers had been raised
which threatened its extinction.
The falling off in attendance with
betting ellr1indLe0 was p~TOHouuceos diiO
this meant a corresponding decrease in
gate receipts. At times optimistic
opinions were expressed that racing
would weather the gale, no~twfthstand-
ing conditions. but several weeks ago
Il was apparent that the Jockey Club
was undecided cs 10 its future Course.
Try 10 save Game.
In an endeayor TO bolster up the
financial end OF the game the race track
owners raised the prices of admission,
reduced the overnight purses and cut
almost to nothing. or else abandoned
altogether. the stake vents that for
years had been regarded as the clas-
sizes of the American turf.
August Belmont, chairman of the
Jockey Club, said that the statement
issued In behalf of the organization
meant Just what 1t said. Racing is a
victim OF adverse legislation" he said,
and unless the directors liability law
ID repealed II will mean the abandon
ing OF racing in this State. Those big
stakes for which nominations nave al
ready beer made win probably be run
of in private, with the public ex-
Guided"