The Washington herald., 1914-10-19
LAUREL CARD AN
ATTRACTIVE ONE
Track Is Fast Drying Out and
Will Be in Best Of Shape
for Races Today.
PARI-MUTUELS POPULAR
Management. of Course, Is Satisfied
that Public Has Taken Liking to
Machine Style of Betting.
PARI-MUTUELS POPULAR
BY GEORGE B. NORRIS,


extra good one and Is a well balanced
afiair. The track has dried out since the
heavy rain OF Friday and by the time
the bugle sounds for the first race It
should be In first-class shape.
The MANAGEMENT of Laurel are more
than satisfied by the manner in which
the public have taken hold Of the Pari-
Mutuel machines. and II goes without
saying that they have come to stay.
The crowd on Saturday was the largest
that has ever been inside Of Laurel Park
since its Inauguration and was represent
ed by the society folk from nearby
cities, who came by train and automo-
bile. The roads from Washington and
Baltimore are In excellent shape and the
course can be reached from either city
in less than an hour.
The clubhouse membership is being
rapidly completed and the list will be
closed shortly. Membership Is by invl-
tation only.
To those who are not familiar with
the Pari-Mueutel machine a short eX-
PLANTATION follows:
The original Pari-Mutuel machine was
the invention Of an Englishman named
Joseph Oller. He kept a small perfum-
cry shop IN Paris, and is still living at
the age Of eighty nine. He had a num-
ber Of wealthy patrons. and many Of
them, wishing to bet on the races, placed
their wagers with him. He was simply
a bookmaker. That was ifty-two years
ago-in 1862.
As public interest in racing increased.
oller invented a new system, in which
any one was free to take part. II was
simply a lottery. On the official program
Of the races each horse was given a
number. These numbers were inscribed
en- cards. The cards were shaken up in a
hat or bag and each holder Of a ticket
In the pool drew a card. The person who
held the number of the winning horse
took the pool, the aggregate OF the stakes
less 10 per cent commission to Oller
the pool seller.
This system became so popular that
oller appeared upon the race course with
a large coach for the occasion. Series
! Of tickets were issued. so that any num-
her of persons might participate in the
betting. His success continuing, he
eventually. in 1866 came before the pub
lie with a new scheme-the Pari-M -Mutuels
a system Of betting in togue today
not only in France. but In Germany
Australia, Argentina and other foreign
countries 1t IS also used in Kentucky,
Maryland, Colorado and in portions Of
Canada. Next year ns10 1t will be
adopted by all the turf associations IN
Canada
In France the government itself ad-
ministers the Pari-Mutuel system Of
betting on the track, and has done so
ever since 1881. when II prohibited book
making and other forms Of wagering In
Kentucky the mutuels were in vogue until
1885, when they were supplanted by the
bookmakers. 1t was not until 1908 that
they were revived, the New Louisville
Jockey Club Churchill Downs taking
the initiative. = return to the French
| system after lapse OF so many years
aroused keen interest and was the sub
| 3ect Of wide comment, ranging from
praise to condemnation. The local au-
thorities attempted to prohibit 1t, but the
/ Court OF Appeals Of Kentucky decided
! II was legal
Meantime the management Of Churchill
/ Downs never wavered in its purpose. and
it soon no: only had the support Of the
| public, but of the professional bettors as
well. Subsequently the Kentucky State
Racing Commission ruled that Pari-
Autuels only should be used on all race
tracks in Kentucky, and their authority
to SO rule was confirmed by the Court
Of Appeals in 1913.
Ever since its revival in Kentucky, the
system has been improved from time to
time until 1t Is now practically perfect
|
| operation in other countries, Messrs NJ
]. Winn ard Charles F. Price, of the
New Louisville Jockey Club. visited
France and Germany. In the matter Of
speed. accuracy or general practicability,
| they found nothing in either country su-
perior to that in Kentucky. Here the
I machines are mechanically much better,
| the calculations more rapid. the ticket
system simpler and yet more comprehen-
sive.
FIRST RA6E-Purse. 500: selling: three-year-oIds
and upward; one and one-dxteenth miles Ths
Rump. liz; Lou LHnisr, IL; Brush. ll2; y. II.
Houghton. 10; Charles r. Granger. lo7: Mycenae.
lG; Battery, lU; Stigma Alpha, l05: Early Light.
lo2; Ave- l07; Tom Hancock. lo2: Mike Cohen. l02
Font, lO2: .Balfron. 81; Wool. 81.
| SECOND RACE-PuSe, 500; selling: tWo-yeaE
| old maidens; i've and one-hAH furiougs. Peg Il2
Morse King. LII; Tmsriece, III; Volaat, l0s; MAJ
Ipps lo5: Onar los; Reflection, los; Dr. Cam. ICE
| Fly Home. ioS; Miss Frances los; Minstrel. los
'BArket. los: Meelicka. los; Golden Lsssie. IOs
THIRD RACE-Purse. 500; selling; three-year
olds and upward; six furlougS Progressive, II2
Frank Hudson, Ill; Dr. Doughsrty. los; Capt
Ben. los: Siinda, lo5; Canto lo5 Bun Around. lo4
El Mahdi 100; Galaxy. l0l; 'Sackooth. 100; Dick
Pet 100; Mis- Yelma, 100; HypatiA 100; Peacock
100; Quick Start, IS.
FOURTH RACE-Handicap; twU-year-oIds: 50
ADDED; five turlouzs. Royal Martyr. lis; Hanson
IL: Sir Edgar, lGi PuluI. looi Dtflusion, IS; DT
Lzrrick g.
FIFTH RACE-Purse. 500; selling; three-yelr
olds and UPWARD; ix furlongs LohenGTfn. lO9: jim
/ Basey, III; 'Ambrose, ls; Kewessa, ~; star Gift
\ l0; Hurakin los: Bosom. l9; Mis- Jean, lo6; Mi
ton Roblee lO4; Laura l02; 'Humihation l0l: BE
| 100: Mater 100 Ida LaTinia. 100; y. J. Linh. o.
| Sixth RACE-Purse. 500; selling; threeyeGr.
/ ohs and upward; one and onesixteenth miles.
Brynlmah lis; 'Durtworth, III: Under Cover. 100;
Earl Of Savoy Ic7; GerrHrd. lTi 'Bushy Head. IOii