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CHOKERS EARLY RACING EXPERIENCES. New York. December 1. Richard Croker was in a reminiscent mooei the other day and during a conversation on the old racing days in New York said: "The first race track in New York that I remember." Mr. Croker said, smiling, was known as tlie Reel House. It occupieel six hlocks or so from 112th to 118th street near Second avenue. It took its name from the fact that it was all painted red. house, fences, outbuildings and all. "It was am attractive place, witii many- large trees around it. AV had only trottinK races in those days, Jterome Park, where running races were first run, not coming until later, along in 1SG4 or 1SG5. Tlie races at that time were much longer than now. being often four-mile heats. "At first it was generally a case of the north against the south, some northern Ihorse being matched against a southern horse. There used to be great excitement over those events and mucii betting. There is no use going to horse races if you cant bet, Sir. Croker continued. "Everything is a gamble, everything. If you Insure your house you .bet 1 to 100 that it will burn xlown. and tlie company bets 100 to 1 that it wont lmrn: that is simply betting to a certain extent, and stopping oetting on horse races is simply singling out ono class of bets.
