Evening star., 1937-06-18
Tracks are Classified

Tracks are Classified.
JUDGMENT of the class of race
track should be based on the
entertainment, service and protection
afforded the public; the quality OF
the test afforded the thoroughbred
horse, and the emoluments available
to breeders and horsemen. Roughly
speaking, there are AZ race tracks in
the country which may be considered
major" courses.
Applying the foregoing standard to
them as a yardstick we get the follow
ing:
First class tracks-Aqueduct, N. Y;
Arlington Park, Ill. Belmont Park
N. Y; Empire City, N. Y; Havre de
Grace, Md; Hialeah Park, Fla;
Jamaica, N. Y; Keenland, KY: Laurel
Md; Narragansett Park, R. l.; Pim-
lico, Md: Santa Anita. Calf; Suffolk
Downs, Mass; Saratoga, N. Y, and
Washington Park, III.
Second-class tracks Arlington
Downs, Tex; Bay Meadows, Calf. ::
Bowie, Md; Churchill Downs, KY;
Detroit, Mich; Hawthorne, H.; La
tonia, KY; Lincoln Fields, Ill; Rock
ingham Park, N. H.; Tanforan, Calf
and Tropical Park, Fla
Third-class tracks-Agawam Park,
Mass: Alamo Downs, Tex; Aurora
Ill: Bainbridge Park, Ohio; Beulah
Park, Ohio; Charles Town, w. Va;
Dallas. Tex; EPSON Downs, Tex. !:
Fair Grounds. La: Longacres, Wash. !;
Oaklawn Park, Ark; Omaha, Neb. !;
River Downs, Ohio; Riverside Park,
Mo: Thistle Down Park, Ohio, and
Sportsman's Park, III.
Delaware Park at Wilmington, Del,
mas not yet afforded any experience,
having just been built, but every
indication is that it should take its
place in the first class. OF these first
class tracks, Delaware Park, Arlington
Park, Belmont Park and Keenland
deserve especial mention. since they
are dedicated to the highest in sports
manship, and no profit to the hackers
Of the project. after expenses are paid
1t will be seen that all five Of the
New York tracks are placed in the
first class, due to the fact that New
York has been the head and shoulders
OF American racing for generations.
OF the more than $l2,0OOO00 dis
trbuted to horsemen in the country
last year, almost s2,00O,00O of it came
from New York racing.
Belmont Park Is Leader.
THE Belmont Park Association leads
all others in the Nation with more
than $4,000 distributed per day.
Saratoga is next with more than s13,-
900, and then come Arlington Park.
and Santa Anita. each with more than
$4,000 daily distribution. The most
modest New York track is considered
to be Empire City, which, for 1886,
gave away to horsemen approximately
S262,0o0, as against approximately
$224,000 for the highly publicized
Churchill Downs.
Churchill Downs, with its world
famous Kentucky Derby, is a fine
example Of track with one tre-
mendous feature, but mediocre sus-
tanning program. The great promi-
nence of the Derby is due to the
indefatigable Matt Winn, who, in 20
years, built a race, worth less than
$4,000 in 1916, to a widely known
test crossing above $4,000 in 1887.
1t may surprise many to know that
the Churchill Downs race track is
smaller than Empire City. While
both are mile tracks, New York
demands room for the horses, trulv
run races, The Empire City 'front.'
stretch and backstretch are 100 feet
wide. At Churchill Downs the 'front.'
stretch is about 80 feet wide and the
backstretch slightly wider. This Is
the real reason for so few truly run
Kentucky Derbies-War Admirars
Derby being notable exception.
In New York the profits of the five
racing associations have been COM
paratively small. All five combined
made less money than did Santa
Anita in California. This means less
taken from the pockets OF the public.
Maryland System Praised.
Maryland, another of the strongly
and properly governed States, recog-
nized the danger Of the drain on
the community. The State Racing
Commission established one of the
lowest takes" In the country and
sharply limited the number of racing
days. This commission also insisted
that the various tracks have as
presidents men who were residents of
the State and thus answerable to
local authority.
1t Is very difficult to say what
should be considered a legitimate
return on a racing investment. The
rate OF any return Is directly affected
by the security OF the investment.
Texas has just repealed its racing
and betting laws after only four sea-
sons, but it is probable that the
original investment was obtained out
OF at least two tracks. Santa Anita
and Narragansett won the investment
out In the first year.
To be assured of profit q pre-
moter must locate near a large cen