New-York tribune., 1918-02-03
Two Associations May Be
Amalgamated Before Sea-
son Gets Under Way
By Frank S. Cooke

Dy FRANK y. \-OOKC
While there has been dcsultory FIR
ing, sallies by the pickets and all of
that for several years, it was feared
that a truce and amalgamation of trot-
ting interests was beyond the horizon
but word comes from an authoritative
source that it doubtless will be
brought about during the season. If
so, it will be the very best thing that
ever happened to the turf.
The National Trotting Association is
the parent body, but back in the SOS
d. j. Campau, who put Detroit on
the map, and other men of promi-
nence in the sport did not like the
way things were going, so they formed
the American Trotting Association.
Since then the two have operated. dip
ping into each others territory and
each with chip on its shoulder.
Different sets of rules prevailed for
a long while, but joint committees
have Strengthened these out more or
less. Still ther is smouldering discon
tent, and belief among those who
have no axes to grind that there should
be one parent body.
New Men as Breeders
The plan is an amalgamation of the
two trotting associations, the register
ton, which will mean one governing
body. 1t appears that the only way
this can be brought about is through
the elimination of ali of the belliger-
ents and the selection of new men who
have a genuine interest in the sport
as breeders or as owners of horses or
properties.
Trotting horsemcn generally resent
anything that pertains to the thorough
bred, but right here they can we'll af-
ford to pattern after the conduct of
running ra es, which is lodged in the
one body. Breeding, which includes
registration, racing and track owner
ship will fare better when under the
one management if the right men are
at the head Of the venture, and there
is plerty ftalent from which to fill
the Offices.
The percentage of half mile tracks to
mile tracks is more than ten to one,
and this applies to horses as well. In
terest in racing on the small tracks is
general and is growing, so that the
mile tracks are beginning to give it
liberation.
First among the famous ovals of the
country to take care of the bush
leaguers," as some call the minor cir
cult steeds. was Hartford, where a
half mile ring was built inside of the
venerable Charter Oak track. For
some seasons the programme at the
Connecticut State Fair has been com
bination of the Grand Circuit and half
mile track horses and it appears to
have pleased the Down East patrons Of
the sport.
Now comes another track, where both
grades of horses will have chance. for
Kalamazoo will stage combination
meeting. The grand circuit opens at
Cleveland on July 3, and from there the
horses go TO the Celery City. Last year
kalamazoo con1icted with Mount Glen
ems to the detriment of both meetings,
so this year Kalamazoo will operate in
10th circuits and put on a special bill
for the half-milers, probably giving
them two of the five afternoons.
Half-Mile Graduates
There are very few of the leading
drivers in the grand circuit who arc
not half-mile graduates. Murphy first
attracted attention through his clever
ness on the small tracks about New
York. Cox races in New England and
had habit of dropping in at Readville
and pulling OFF a juicy affair, which
gave MIN the name Long Shot" Cox.
and it sticks to him even in the day
when his crowd bet on favorites.
Snow, who is managing u new track
near 'Blnghamton, was a halfmler.
Mcdonald started that way, Mcmahon
ducks out into the minors whenever
he has the tools, and about all of them
know the angles of the sport.
Mixing the high class cquines with
the lowly half-milers is tiptop at
traction, and It will be no surprise to