The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-23
TRACK SEASON SPELLS GA|ETY
 FOR SARATOGA
Racing Under Mutuels Opens July 20 for
 30 Days
BY LEO EOROKA

NOhhtCU EECSS 0WtSn NVIECDPUAluCAG
 Saratoga Springs, N. r., July p. = CUP) Picturesque Saratoga, where the bookies used to flourish, is ready to welcome 8 new attrac- tion this season-pari-mutuel bet ting machines.
 The 100 bookies and their staffs will be gone when this fashionable upstate resort track opens on July 29 for 30 days of horse racing. In- stead, the so-called "iron men" will be ready to take bets, this year, even from the fair sex.
 Heretofore, women were barred from the betting sheds. But under the new form of wagering legalized by the 1940 legislature, they are permitted to take their place in line at the pari-mutuel betting win- dows.
 Horses Work Out.
 The vanguard of thoroughbred horses, stablemen and trainers, tipsters and roustabouts are here. The horses are undergoing morn ing workouts preparatory to enter ing the rich stake events, including the Travers, Americas oldest stake race first run in 1864.
 Bimelech and Eight Thirty, last years champions, will be back, and it is possible the two will be pitted against each other in the Saratoga Cup on closing day.
 Challedon, 1899, champion Swear old, and Isolator, winner of the 1889 Saratoga Cup, also are expect ed to take their turns at the start ing gate. The track is soft and easy on the feet of youngsters and vet eran thoroughbreds alike.
 Saratoga always attracts the best stables. Society turns out en masse in the clubhouse, and when not at the track enjoys the near-Adiron- dack country, and the sparkling and health-giving waters at the Spa.
 It's 5-Million Season.
 All of the 1,700 stalls have been reserved. The racing season here is approximately a $5,000,0o busi- ness, taking into consideration ho- tels. cottage rentals, food, labor, horse feed and stable supplies, en- tertainment, amusement and tips.
 Racing enthusiasts come here from throughout the country, Que bee, Panama Canal Zone, Cuba. Puerto Rico, Mexico and Haiti. The chamber of Commerce revealed that G. F. Moir of Lahaina, Hawaii, plans to attend the races this sea- son. A spokesman said Moir in- quired by mail for the tracing schedule and She dates"
 The annual yearling sales attract attention. The change in horse ownership is big business too. in- volving deals aggregating more than $l,00o,o00. The top price of $250,0 was paid for Blenheim 2nd. the English stallion, few years ago.
 The big question is whether the big lake houses and their roulette wheels and other gambling para phernalia will be allowed to op- crate during August. Many Sara togians believe an "open year" will mean banner racing season.
 Merchants anticipating a profit. able season are renovating and re. modelling buildings.
 Track Is Improved.
 The track is undergoing improve. ment, too. The Saratoga Racing Association is spending S150 000 to put the racing plant in shape for the opening day. Pari-mutuel win dows have been built along vir- tually the entire length of the vast shed. There will be betting windows throughout the plant, from the old betting ring to the clubhouse. on the mezzanine in the grandstand and even in the field.
 There will be several hundred seller windows where the bets are placed, and cashier windows for winners. Heavy plungers will pat ronize the $50 and $100 windows. It IS estimated horse racing en. thusiasts will wager at least sl4- 100000 during the 3O-day racing period. Under the law legalizing pari-mutuel betting a 10 per cent tax on total wagers is distributed equally between the state and the track.
 The revenue from the states five horse tracks during 1940-Empire, Belmont, Jamaica, Saratoga and Aqueduct-is expected to approach $7,000, 1000.
 The State Racing Commission has ordered the reduction of ad- mission prices, $4 instead of $6 Tor badges to the clubhouse and $50 tickets for men and women to the park. For the men, the price is a saving of $1. Chairman Herbert Bayard Swope said that all bookmaking Ifs ahsnl11telu n,,t 5