After Election Impressions: New York Turf Magnates Take Varying Views of Future of Racing There, Daily Racing Form, 1908-11-07

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AFTER ELECTION IMPRESSIONS. New York Turf Magnates Take Varying Views of Future of Racing There. New York. November G. The re-election of Governor Hughes lias created the impression among many leading turfmen that racing is at an end in this state for at least two years. It is known that the Jockey Club will not give up the, fight for the sport without a long legal battle in the courts and it is geueraliy expected that the constitutionality of the present law will soon be put to a test. It was said yesterday that many of the more important cases involving alleged Iiookmakers and track officials would now be brought to trial without further delay and that some definite decisions one wav or the other would be secured from the Court of Appeals. Few of the Jockey Club members were willing to discuss the situation yesterday. But P. J. Dwycr. owner of the Gravesend and Aqueduct tracks, not only talked freely, but also showed that be still had some hope for the future. Mr. Dwyer was at the J Jamaica track anil when asked for his views said f In part: "The election looks as if they did not want us. doesnt it? Well, the situation does not look very encouraging. Ill admit, and it also seems as If racing would be in bad shape for the next two years. But I think that the Jockey Club and the leading track owners should do all in" their power to keep the game at least partially alive until we can get fcome remedy. I think that the tracks shonld pool issues and start the season next spring with about three racing days each week. It Is my idea that purses should be limited to 00 or 00 and that no stakes should be offered. There should be no free badges issued to anybody. Owners, trainers, jockeys, officials, stockholders, and. to fact everybody should be made to pay admission. I dont know whether . or should be charged at the gates, but I believe that a tariff would be acceptable to the j people we count on for support. The associations should stick together and fight it out to a finish. But 1 think that some of the tracks would have to drop out. As far as my tracks at Gravesend and I Aqueduct are concerned, you can say that I will : conduct race meetings at both of them on the lines I have mentioned. I expect to lose money, but I am willing to do so for the sake of the sport. We will have no Colins racing next year, for any man who owns a great stake horse would not care to race him for the purses that may be offered. If expenses j are cut to a minimum and the free list is abolished I think some of the tracks can exist." . W. II. Reynolds, president of the Metropolitan Jockey Club, which controls the Jamaica track, said: "This looks like, the last day of racing for two years at least. I hope Im wrong, however. We t cant hang up even small purses and live under the present conditions and we cannot expect horsemen to race for such small money. Several of the tracks are in the line of important suburban developments and may be cut up into building lots, for the owners cannot very well afford to have them remain idle. If racing comes back I think it will b solely a rich mans game. .Men who can afford to race at a loss will do so simply for the sake of the sport. But it will be many years before you will see racing what it was in 1007." Matt J. Winn, manager of the Empire City track at Yonkers. said that the outlook was anything but good. "There may be some favorable court decisions." he said, "in which event we may have a little bit of racing, but Im afraid it will not amount to much." James Butler, owner of the Empire City track, refused to say anything, but his friends declared that he expected to have the new law fully tested in the courts. John G. Cavanagh. who felt sure that Chanler would be elected, said that it was too early to discuss plans for the future. It was said yesterday that James R. Keene would send all of his horses to England in the spring and that his yearlings would be sold there next season.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1908110701/drf1908110701_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1908110701_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800