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EASTERN TURF SETTLING INTO SECURITY. Constantly Increasing Patronage Marked Meeting at I i Gravesend and Confidence Is Restored. New York. June 24.— During the season of sport at the recently closed Hraveseiid meeting, racing on the New York tracks settled down to a ML Bitty that leaves no doubt for its future. Because of the happenings «f 1108 it was natural that some were fearful racing would never recover from the malicious attacks to which is was subjected. Rac lug has already recovered, and only two of the meetings of the New York season have been held. The new conditions brought alioiit I.y the stringent restrictions thrown about the betting end of the s|Hirt are now thoroughly understood by tlie regulars and from the start there has been a steady increase in attendance. The holiday crowds have been par ticularlv large as compared with those of last fall. Not only is there a return of confidence among the patroiis of racing, but the horsemen are showing fliat thev feel secure. This is made evident by the way in which stakes of recent closing have attracted them. For the meeting at Yolikers the stakes tilled remarkablv well and the Saratoga fixtures have all brought liberal res|H nsos. Stables that earlier in the ana an n had made plans to confine their racing to -western tracks are coming to the east and. altogether, there is a general awakening in the sport. The test at Cravesend was what was wanted by manv. and It has beep a successful one. The rights of tlie racing aeaoeaatleM and the rights of their patrons have been thoroughly established, which was all that was needed from the first to bring order. The racing associations have shown that they will see that the law is strictly enforced within tlie confines of their courses and that having been made plain simplifies and clears the situation. At no time did the associations countenance law-breaking, but last years interpretation of the law-was such that it was almost Impossible to keep within It. The law has since been interpreted by the courts and It is this Interpretatlou that is being and will be enforced. The growth of racing under the altered conditions has surprised even those wIki were always sanguine. Every fair afternoon at Jravesend the crowds on the lawns and in the grandstand and paddock made a picture greatly resembling the most prosperous times for the sport. Sheepshead Bay has always been the most iiopular of the I/.ng Island tracks, and it Is natural to expect that there the resemblance to the crowds of lft7 will be even more marked. _________
