New-York tribune., 1918-11-03
Various Tracks Distributed
$47l.742 in Purses, a
Gain of $4,000
By Frank S. Cooke

Just what effect the war would have
on their favorite sport was n matter
of great concern with votaries of trot-
ting and pacing last winter. Some
feared there would be embargoes
against shipping; that many of the
owners would let up for while, and
so forth; but statistics for the season
show that a splendid gain was made
in all directions.
There were thirteen weeks of racing
in the Grand Circuit this year, as
against twelve in 1917. Detroit had
dropped out for time and Toledo and
Readville had stepped into the breech.
At these meetings 261 races were con-
tested, against 234 the year before, and
the gain would have been even greater
but for cutting four days from the
Lexington programme owing to in
huenza. Also Readville lost two days
through rain and Hartford one
The various tracks distributed S471,-
1875 in stakes and purses, a gain of
about $4,000, while the gain in paid
admissions is believed to have exceeded
that amount.
Big Gain in Horses
The fear that there would not be
enough horses this year was discount
cd, as 1.764 took part in these races
q gain of 1872, OF nearly Is per cent
which is the notable feature Of The
year and perhaps the real guarantee
Of the stability Of the chain of mile
tracks, where the star performers are
wont to display their besA hicks.
The number Of heats this year was
s25, or thirty-two more than during
the 1917 season. The reason that this
gain, was not greater is the fact that
the three-heat plan was adopted by {
majority of the tracks, cutting out the
long drawn-out contests which horse
men thought they must have to ge'
their moneys worth.
It is likely that the winter, or coal
stove season, will be prolific with goot
things for the future o2 the sport
Some of the men who are the rea
sportsmen and have deepest interes
in the welfare of the trotter have beer
working quietly toward the hopedfo,
amalgamation Of all the associations
and it is possible that the proiec
will mature.
This would cali for one governin,
body taking the place of the Amerii
can and National Trotting association,
and the American Trotting Hors,
| Breeders Association, thus rulin.
every angle Of the sport from TIL
day the foal opens his eyes until hi
| racing and stock farm careers are a
an end.
This is the millennium toward which
the unprejudiced are looking, and whe1
it arrives the sport will be handled
as are the affairs of the Jockey Club
There will be no backbiting and al
! hands will be out for the good of tn,
standard breds.
Change in Itinerary
| 1t is possible that there will be .
change in the itinerary of the Gran,
Circuit by the addition of u meetin,
or two. There is lot of talk alonj
this line, and just where it will fetcl
up is the question. Detroit wants t,
get back in. Business men OF this cit,
see now that the loss OF the Rlue Rib
bon meetings is a severe blow an,
plans are maturing which look thi
way,
Another track in the early seasol
will mean that the Grand Circuit will
be forced to take in Fourth Of Jul,
week, one OF the most profitable of tn,
year, but passed up because the train
ers have maintained that they coul,
not get ready. This ga!lacy has beel
exploded on the half-nile tracks, wher
they start racing the first week in June
and last summer at the first North Ran
dali meeting. which opened July an,
at which three-year-ol raced taste
/ than did any in his division all through
the season.
Connitions onaratod ,pa;ns, ~ A.