The New York herald., 1921-10-30
The Racing Season of 1921.

The racing season Of 1921 closed
with the running Of the final event
on the programme OF the Empire City
Racing Association yesterday after
noon for those who live in and around
New York and take their pleasure
on the courses which operate under
the jurisdiction of the Jockey Club.
It was remarkable season in many
respects. The sustained interest ir
the sport from the opening day at
Jamaica to the close at the Yonkers
track, in the hills Of Westchester, ex-
cited the comment of those who were
in touch with conditions in other
sports in which there was a falling
off in attendance as compared with
1924 condition attributed to the
pinch of hard times.
Another striking feature Of tho
season was the manner in which
prices held for blood stock offerings.
These sales are the baromster which
measures the health of the sport, for
IL racing did not have devoted fol-
lowing with belief in its perpetua-
ton as an institution there would be-
little demand for the products of the
various farms which are marketed
annually as yearlings in the East,
chiefly at Saratoga during the meet
ing there in August. The average for
the current year surpassed all previ-
GUS records in this country by Sass.
the 267 head disposed of at Saratoga
bringing $76S,700, an average price
of $2,S79.02. The best previous show
ing was in 1919, with it's average OF
$2.641.37 for 226 head. For the first
time in the history of the thorough
bred breeding industry in the United
States this years average was slightly
better than the average at the New
market July sales in England.
There was some spirited bidding
for choice lots at Saratoga, but II
was the sustained interest through
out the season for racing material as
we'll as young stock that pleased
those who have made sacrifices to
keep the sport alive in this country.
The increase in stakes and purses
and the improvements made at the
various courses indicated desire or
the part of the managers to give the
public the best possible sport under
the most pleasing conditions. That
their efforts were successful the a,-
tendance day after day showed.
Two sensational performers ap-
peared in the East among the juve-
niles in Norwich and Miss Joy.
Whether they will take their place
in history among the truly elect of
the American thoroughbreds will be
shown when they come to the real
tests over distance in 1922 as three
year-olds. Up to the present time
they satisfy because of their great
speed. The colt has never been
beaten and Miss Joys few defeats
should not detract from the fame
which she has won by her victories.
Our tbree-year-olds as lot we're
disappointing, Grey Lag being the
only one that might be called top
notcher. An unsound horse for the
greater part Of the year, he was first
class only on occasions; and in the
hands Of less capable trainer than
5. c. HILpRETH he might not have
raced at all after his mishap prior to
he Kentucky Derby. When he won
the Brooklyn Handicap Grey Lag
was great race horse.
In the older division the feats Of !
yellow Hand, Purchase, Mad Halter,
Audacious. Exterininator and Thun-
lerclap rendered them conspicuous.
II Purchase had stood training he
would be the champion beyond q
ioubt. Yellow Hand won more of the
,Sg handicaps than any other horse
Ind was better at the close Of the
season than at any other time. He
3 remarkable gelding and q fit ad. |
sersary for Extsrminator, which has
now won more money than any other
yelding in the world.
There is little TO be said In praise |