New-York tribune., 1919-05-11
Success Depends ON the
Manner in Which Those
in Control of the Sport
of Kings Protect Public
By w. !. Macbeth

A sport-mad metropolis fretfully
awaits the opening of the metropolitan
racing season which will be ushered
in with customary pomp and acclaim
at the Metropolitan Jockey Clubs pop
ular Jamaica track next Thursday
afternoon.
Everything is "set" for such an ova-
tion to the thoroughbred as has not
been seen locally for more than a
decade-not since the days of wide
open betting, whom American breeding
establishments were producing kings
and queens of the equine world that
could measure strides with the tradi-
tional aristocratic blood Of Europe
1t is needless to go into detail as to
the painstaking care with which Secre-
tary w. G. Edwards has gone about his
work, both to make the Jamaica racing
plant pleasing to the eye and to pro-
vide q programme of high class en-
tertainment. Be it said in passing that
everything possible that could be done
has been done to provide a fast and
fair course for the thoroughbreds,
which, after all, is the main answer
When the opening day programme is
announced in detail race lovers will not
be disappointed.
King of Caterers Ready
To the last detail all is in readiness,
then, even to Harry M. Stevens, the
king of caterers, who has added ia
maica to his ever increasing domain
and who has installed every modern
convenience and appurtenance to help
ailay the craving of the inner man.
Though for a few days the Jamaica
meeting will conflict with the clos
ing week of the Maryland season ut
Plmllco and though the Preakness, the
great classic of the Maryland season.
Will be run on Wednesday, the fact
cannot seriously affect the welcome
due the thoroughbred locally nor the
CLASS as, OF competition for the inaugural.
The feature of the opening day will
a De the Paumonok Handicap, of 5000, at
SIX furlongs, for three -year-olds and
upward. Forty-nine are eligible.
Handicapper W: S. vosburgh has as
signed top weight to the gallant aged
gelding Old Rosebud, which has effect
ed a third comeback after breaking
down. Old Rosebud, likely to start
mas ma been asked to shoulder 1874 pounds.
Motor Cop will have to tote 1873 pounds.
ana Old Koenig and Naturalist 1928
pounds each. War Cloud is in at 1877
ana Flags at 1876. Among the other
gooo S ones IN are such names as Sunny
Slope, Hollister, Trompe La Morte, Pur-
chase. The Wanderer. Papp, Wigstone
Pen Rose, Toto, My Friend, Thunder,
storm, Routledge, Jack Hare, Jr., Jock
Scot, Vindex, Hannibel, Blue Ladd;e
Lord Brighton, Fairy Wand, Elm
queen, Pigeon Wing, Rodgers and
host of others.
Out Of the exceptionally classy list
OF ellglbles it is almost certain that
good field will be provided. As usual
thlng, the one with early speed has the
PEST pest chance in this event because of
the turns and the short stretch. The
held should not be lacking in speed if
the best eligibles accept the issue.
Every circumstance which by the
broadest conception may be figured as
giving a true line on sentiment nor
tends for the current year the greatest
sporting season of Americas brilliant
history. The popular demand for re-
taxation and recreation, following the
horrors of four and half years of
cruel world war, has been evidenced on
every hand and in every locality to the
most obscure corner of the land ever
since the armistice was signed
No more impressive testimony was
needed to bring home the fact than the
local attendances, at the Polo Grounds
and ,Ebbets Field, at last Sundays ma
jor league baseball games. Why, even
in the big towns at this very moment
they are falling with all the avidity of
the tanks" for our heavy headed,
heavyweight wrestlers.
The turf season of 1919 is going to
be just as big, just as bright, just as
great and just a successful as the
truf solons care to make it. It is
strictly up to them. The public has
not yet lost faith in the thoroughbred