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SCHEDULE TROUBLES IN THE EAST New York January IS There is much discussion among turfmen over the problem of arranging racing dates for the coining season It is understood that the Jockey Clubs stewards will move slowly in this matter and will not make an otlicial announcement for several weeks P J Dwyers statement that Aqueduct and Jamaica will not hold spring meet ¬ ings if Pimlico decides to begin operations on April 23 lias not been received with favor by owners and trainers who are anxious to race here as early as April 15 says the Sun They are not alone in the opinion that the metropolitan tracks should pay no heed to Pimlico but should go ahead with the schedule which prevailed during the season of 1908 It is pointed out that the falling off in attendance figures at Aqueduct and Jamaica last fall was not due so much to the counter attraction at Pimlico as to the attitude of the police and the Queens County authorities who suddenly made things un ¬ pleasant for the oral speculators at those race courses The spectacular raid by the police at Jamaica knocked out what little interest remained in racing at that time it is asserted and served to drive away from the tracks many patrons who would otherwise have remained remainedIt It is further argued that if Aqueduct and Ja ¬ maica should decline to race against Pimlico in the spring they would be compelled to face opposition by the Maryland track in the fall unless they de ¬ cided to keep their tracks closed altogether Pim licos attitude by the way is not pleasing to own ¬ ers and trainers in addition to the Jockey Club stewards it Is said In view of the plucky fight made by the New York tracks to keep their gates open under the most trying circumstances It is be ¬ lieved that Pimlico should be willing tp help not retard the good work For that reason there are many racing men who say that Pimlico for the best interests of racing should be willing to begin the spring meeting on April 1 and race up to April 15 or a few days later Such a plan it is shown would make matters comparatively easy for the local tracks which are willing to run the risk of losing money to keep the turf alive
