May Revive Pimlico, Daily Racing Form, 1902-11-25

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MAY BKVIVE PIRSMCO. A special to Daily America from Baltimore under date of November 22 says : "It is rumored on what is considered reliable authority that the Whitney-Belmont racing syndicate proposes purchasing the famous old Pimlico property here and reviving racing in all its glories as was most marked in the early 80s and during preceding years, when Pimlico wasv usually chosen as the neutral battle-ground on which crack thoroughbreds of the east and west met and fought their decisive battles. "A director of the Maryland Agricultural and Mechanical Association, the organization in control of the track, admittod yesterday that he had heard of the movement in New York, but knew nothing of the details of the plan. "Mr. E. D. Crook, one of the most active men in the present management and. the history of the track and local horse affairs, stated yesterday that he would be only too glad if New York race horsemen would purchase the track. If it were put up at auction, as he was positive it would be the making of the Pimlico track and would undoubtedly pay, as he was positive that Baltimore would patronize good running races. Mr. Crook also said that the track had been a failure for some time past, as those in charge do not wish to devote their time to its management, with the result that almost every meeting held at the track over 1,000 was lost, it being a complete frost, said Mr. Crook. Mr. Crook said he knew nothing specific as to the Whitney-Belmont combination bidding. If the track is sold at auction he was positive that New Yorkers would be present at the sale and would undoubtedly bid. "The status of the Pimlico property is now in the courts on petition of the States Attorney to have the propertys affairs liquidated. It is likely that much time will elapse before the matter shall become crystallized, as in the event of an opinion of the lower court the matter is apt to go before the Court of Appeals. "Until the action of the court shall be known nothing is apt to appear on the surface of the attempt to own the track, but it was stated yesterday on unimpeachable authority that the New Yorkers were simply biding their time, and would be ready to talk business when the occasion shall permit. "Mr. John Waters is president of the Maryland State Agricultural and Mechanical Association, that controls the track, and Mr. William A. Hammond is secretary and treasurer. The directors are 7ohri Waters, A. E. Booth, H. B. Bolton, T.J. Meehan, E. D. Crook, N. Popplein, Henry Clark, J. N. Matthews, J. W. Horner, M. Prag, J. S. Ditch, F. L. Grafflin, S. Mandelbaum, W" R. Hammond. "The last meeting under the auspices of The New York Jockey Club, held here several years ago, was a sporting and financial success, as was the more recent enterprise of the Maryland Steeplechase Association. " This is sufficient demonstration that a track in Baltimore managed by New Yorkers would flourish, and fit as a good spoke in the wheel made up of the Northern and Bennings tracks. To have such a thing occur is the great dream of local lovsrs of running and jumping horses, and a serious attempt of the New York Jockey Club influences to secure control of the local track would receive the ready co-ooeration of those who want to see several weeks of high-class thoroughbred racing an annual sporting fixture for Baltimore. "The early history of Pimlico and how it became a racetrack is interesting. The name of the place originated from an Englishman, who came to those parts from a place on the outskirts of London bearing the same name. He erected a country seat on the present site of the great track, and in a few years plowed up a circle and called it a racetrack. In a few years he disappeared, and the old horsemen who used to do their racing on Charles Street avenue took hold of the place and put many improvements on it."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1902112501/drf1902112501_4_1
Local Identifier: drf1902112501_4_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800