view raw text
RACING AT TORONTO IS ADMIRABLE Racing is Closely Woven in with Social Ceremony in the Canadian City Judge Joseph J Burke writes as follows about the Ontario Jockey Club meeting at Toronto It has been ray good fortune to have taken part as an official in many notable turf events including among other functions at various race courses that of presiding judge at Washington Park Chicago for live years but at no place have 1 seen so much sentiment displayed as was witnessed here at To ¬ ronto on Saturday May 23 and Monday May 25 in connection with two of the great days racing of the Ontario Jockey Club ClubWith With his excellency the governorgeneral Earl Grey here for a two weeks stay with his stall o thirtytwo persons the state carriage sent here from Ottawa his squadron of outriders and all the ap purtcnaucds which go to make up a ceremonious visit no American can fall to be struck with the idea that this is the surest way to build up the turf BO as to make it impervious to attack when its enemies assail it Blessed with beautiful weather every day since its opening has been one feature of some peculiar significance to the club Nearly every day the gov rnorgeueral has been an interested visitor and it lias been his pleasant duty to present one or more aluable cups to the fortunate winners The most successful turfman up to date is Joseph E Sjagram the great Canadian breeder and turfman president of the Ontario Jockey Club nud general good fel ¬ low His colt Seismic won the coveted Kings Plate on the opening day and Mr Seagrams heart swelled with pride when Earl Grey handed him the cup and the parchment warrant for fifty guineas the gift of King Edward The added money to the stake was 4000 but it is safe to say that the parchment calling for fifty guineas was of much greater value to Ir Seagram than was the 4000 4000The The Ontario Jockey Clubs annual dinner on the evening of Thursday May 28 was one not soon to be forgotten by those present His excellency the governorgeneral was happy in his speech and with Major Daingerfield brotherinlaw of James R Keene responding to a toast the clubroom rang with laughter at the pleasant sallies of the veteran Virginian now transplanted to Kentucky KentuckyEach Each day too has seen Lady Grey the gracious hostess in the governorgenerals decorated box in the members stand receiving ladles and gentlemen presented by members of the club and no one who has had the pleasure of a few moments conversation with this gifted lady will ever forget the occasion Bach day has in fact been an open air reception Needless to say the sport benefits by this and we of America can only look on with the hope thatsome day our own well beloved race course will bo simi ¬ larly blessed blessedThe The American contingent of racing officials present at the current meeting declare that never before have they experienced so pleasant a time and that the racing was never better The surroundings at Woodbine are more pleasing to the senses than any course on the continent Imagine a fleet of sailing vessels motor boats and row boats all passing up and down an inlet which borders the backstretch and which is apparently within the course though as a matter of fact It is just on the borders Be ¬ yond this again is the greenblue water of the great lake and here too may be seen all day long many well known yachts the property of members of the club Ttie members stand and the lawn In front has been crowded each day since the meeting opened the ladles costumes easily vicing with any seen at Belmonb Park ParkInnovations Innovations this year are the sales of yearlings bred In Tennessee which are bulletined to be held on Monday The FasigTipton company will for the first time sell here at Toronto some very well bred youngsters The result of this experiment will be awaited with Interest Without doubt howeveri Canadas bipod stock will be improved if Canadians bujrtjie youngsters Then perhaps may come a day a Earl Grey if ervently hoped ini bis speech at the dinner Thursday iiight that MK Seagram may have the great pleasure of leading backup the paddock at Epso aDerbywinner bred In Canada Canadailfcweald ilfcweald have been a great thing for the turf in geaerjuilfa committee fromithe Jockey Club of New York cotyd have been present at the meeting and carrledback ijlth them tbe picture whlcawe1 hare beeatfa wltBesaMjf throughout M5fe a working for the good of the turf said the lihaefatteabfe secretary Wv P Fraper and nettia aastt raV If wecaptonlyconvince our pepplb as imlias ypnr people that the real pnrpoKe t racing is not nota a aercemary one bstthe hlgheat for rtbt outdoer eHj 5rmeati carried on under 41ie
