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IDEAS OF A CALIFORNIA CRITIC. Ken Beajamia, mat an editor af the Baa Francisco Chronic!. •. in lulges in the following comment on the recent l ended meeting at Oakland: ••The raehag aeaaaa which came W a close j.ii Satarday was not a ■■eceaa from a racing point or view. but. ruatrarj la expectations, the associatuin made a little nionev. Of course, it was too much lo .| t he moderate class horses, which were in the great majority, to run true to form. Kaee gaers anticipated an occasional reversal of form. Inn the constant in-and-out running reminded oltl-thners of Hie days when races were run up and down hill on the inside of the old Kay District track. It was know ii thai unscrupulous owners would indulge in cheating, especially when the winner* of certain races pulled down a paltry 30. Under conditions thai pr.vail at the various race tracks it takes more than a faff horse to win lour racs. which is not mar enough money lo pay for his training ex-|.ell.-es. ••The i. formers made a had mess with their interference, as tie- sport ihis year was of the most inditlerenl kind. The association was imbued with the idea of furnishing racing for the turfmen that had supported the game for many years. This was naturally lo be expected. it was policy to keep the ganie going, even if Hie association lost money on the scheme. Kvery person interested in the success of the snort in California heard with regret of the continued extension, however. In view of prevailing conditions it was a most injudicious move. There are many Califernians who would like to see racing restored, but it must be nursed along witli great care. Two sliori. high-class mceiings during the year would be sufficient, and. unless the association works along sue.i lines, the finish of racing .-an be predicted with certainty. "In 1MB some ol the greatest horses on the American turf raced in California. Such horses as l-ilz Herbert. King James. High Private and Parnate win- si-.-n in action and furnished the highest class apart in tie history of coast racing. In fact. few better horses were ever sent to the post on any track in this country. The oral system that was in vogue could not be aecoiinliMl a success. If was a •r substitute al best for the old style. Kill li.xik making is doomed in America. The pari inulii.l system is d stilled to supercede bookniaking on every Hack in the country. While not as popular with the racing puldie and owners, pari unitiiels will have a tendency to purify racing, as there will be little incentive for cheating as is the case with many I mm .k makers who dearly love to lay a dead one ■••.til the e-ws come home. In a nutshell the salvation of racing in California means a short meeting with good purses and the suhst itillion of pari mil tuels for hookmaking."
