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EASTERN RACING AND ITS PROSPECTS. , Whs,* :ho Aciion of the Season Has So Far Shown I — Interest and Expenses. New Y.irk. May 10. — Notwithstanding the many . races #a hj B. C. Hildrcths horses in California during the MM which closed there on April 17. M !!■■. | that he intends to greatly reduce his operations and will sell his stable by degrees anil limb r conditions that will preclude any financial BSjetttce. This is one reason why he meditates a I campan in Canada, win-re it is assumed then- will be ■ liettor demand for horses than there is at pres cut ill the lllited Stales. Another reason for Mr. Hildreths contemplate!? restrictions in bis turf operations is that he has been a heavy bettor as I rule, and he has found that the strain is net a good thing for his physical comfort. If King James should come upon the market it is tlemght that som ■• one of the rich men interested in racing may purchase him in order to maintain public interest in tile turf. Depending solely upon gate money for reyenue, the yarious racing associations may find it diliicult to attract the public at tin- hiLh admission fee charged unless the attraction is of sullii ieiit class to warrant the admirers of good horses paying the price. With King James. Celt. Hilarious. Maskette. Fayette. Jack Atkin and a few others of that caliber on the card at stated inter a!s the gate money can be depended upon to be good. It is already apparent to the thinking men in the Jockey Club that the American horses now abroad would, if in America, contribute largely to the revenue said to be necessary to the existence of the race courses. It is admitted that victories of American horses abroad do lunch to stimulate interest in local lacing alTairs. and if the classics could be won by Vank.-e horses ami they were then brought back here to race the local turf as an institution would be greatly beiietited. Thus far. witli two days of success chronicled, well wishers of racing are rejoicing, but more severe tests an- to come, ami experienced men are wonder ing whit kind of a crowd will be present when a beau rainstorm is raging. There are not a few days in the season when out door spoil such as racing cannot be indulged in witli any eosafert, and it is now a problem with the various managers of the courses as to just whnt to do on such days — whether to postpone or to run "rain or shine." as was the case when professional bet-ting v. as not illegal. In the two days which have elapsed at Belmont Pack the ass.iciation added 1909.sh,200 to the twelve events. The gate receipts on the two days may safely be taken to have been 0,000. and this is a lose csiimate. On the face of it there was a sur plus of more than .00ll with which to meet, the heavy obligations which the Withers and Belmont will est the club. To the Withers there is 0,000 added, and the Belmont is a guaranteed stake value of 0,000. at bast 0,000 of which must be made up by the association. When three of the most important stables in the country sent their presumed best horses abroad, the natural drawing cards of the associations were givally lessened, but there still remain a few good three year olds eligible In the two stakes aliove named, and it is assumed that sentiment will prompt a large attendance when these events arc run. J.ater on. when the Brooklyn and Suburban Handicaps come to be decided, they. too. must be depended on to draw sufficient gate money to make up for possible lean days of the meeting.
