view raw text
EAST, WEST .AND EMPIRE CITY. How It Comes That Big Metropolitan Stables Are Not Racing- at Yonkers Meeting. The fact that James R. Keene, S. C. Hildretli and some other prominent eastern turfmen did not race any of their horses at Empire City has come in for criticism and a suggestion that they were averse to , contributing to the success of racing over that track. Both Keene and Hildretli helped Empire City with liberal nominations to its stakes, and that both decided ; to send their horses to Saratoga for a rest during . the time consumed by the Empire City meeting . is a coincidence that has its solution in the Importance . of the Saratoga stakes and the rivalry of the two stables for the leadership in eastern racing. Both owners knew very well that horses in abundance were ready for racing at Empire City, and. In view of that fact, felt at liberty to cater to what they deemed their own best interest. Had there : been a necessity for the presence of their horses at Empire City, it may be safely assumed that they : would have been active participants in the racing . over the Yonkers track. Both arc capable of making sacrifices for the good of racing. It has also been suggested that western owners and horses were too predominant at Empire City. That western horses contributed greatly to the success of the meeting is a fact and that they were there in unusual numbers for an eastern meeting is also a fact. One does not have to seek far for the reason. A popular western ollicial. Matt J. Winn, had charge of the Empire City racing, and it was largely due to the favor with which he was regarded by western owners that New Yorkers enjoyed the splendid displays of speed given by Prince Ahmed. Rose Queen. Richard Reed, Cherryola. Donau. Jack Atkin, Apache, The Fad, Hans, Stanley Fay and other western cracks. There is no doubt that James- Butlers advent in eastern racing was at the outset unfavorably regarded by the big men of the eastern turf, but that is a condition long past, and his track and its meeting now stand higher in general esteem than Brighton Beach and its meetings ever did. Mr. Butler is progressive and manifests a liberal disposition to put Empire City racing on a plane with that of the other metropolitan tracks. Empire City is a firmly established seat of racing and it is a good thing that it is sulliciently ixipular with western owners to induce them to send their best horses there to race. Some narrow-minded writers may make ill-natured comments on that feature, but there is not lacking evidence that it is pleasing to the patrons of the track.
