Plan to Revive Louisiana Racing: Local Promoters to Try Experiment of Betless Meeting on New Orleans Half-Mile Track,, Daily Racing Form, 1911-11-25

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PLAN TO REVIVE LOUISIANA RACING. Local Promoters to Try Experiment of "Betless" Meeting on Now Orleans Half-Mile Track. New Orleans, La., November 24. What is characterized as an effort to revive interest in racing will be attempted here beginning Thanksgiving day by several local promoters, who intend to inaugurate a race meeting of the mixed variety at the half mile Orleans track, opposite City, Park. The scheme of the promoters appears visionary and many of those who have hopes for a revival of the sport in all its broad phases frown upon the present attempt. According to the plans of those contemplating the project, it embraces running and trotting races for three days. According to announcement it will be a "betless" meeting, no form of wagering being tolerated. The purses will be 00 and tho promoters expect to find reimbursement from the admission charge of SI and concession privileges. That the promoters feel sanguine of success Is evidenced by their belief that they can continue racing all winter. No one takes the proposition seriously and according to those supposedly familiar with prevailing conditions, the meeting will be of short duration. As to the real racing situation in this locality, ones idea of the future prospects can bo fixed according to the side of the fence he is on. The staid business man will voice his belief that there is not a chance for resumption, while those who formerly derived a big benefit from the racing folk, including hotel men. restaurants, shop keepers and others, maintain that tho next legislature, which convenes May 1. 1912, will afford the relief required for th resumption of the sport, with the safeguard of fi-state racing commission and the mutuel stylo of betting. The coming primary in January to determine the choice of the next governor will do much to clarify tho situation. There are three candidates in the field seeking the high office, and according to report, each is broad and liberal in his views, presaging hope for the sport in the near future One of the candidates is pledged to local option, which in the event of success will afford the people of New Orleans an opportunity to decide for themselves by direct vote if they want racing restored. The local option candidate is thoroughly conversant with the citys need and If ho deemed the majority to desire a resumption of the sport would urge the necessary legislation. Both City Park and the Fair Grounds are in a sadly neglected state. Tho City Park course especially appears to be in a state of decay. It would entail quite an expense to put it back In its former splendid condition. Assuming that the meeting at Havana was a cer-taiutv. Hugh McCarreu shipped his twelve racers at the close of Latonia to this point with a view to transferring them to the Cuban capital at the earliest opportunity. McCarren, since his arrival here, has been torn by conllicting emotions. One day some one will tell him that the meeting has been declared off, only to be told the next day. by some one else that the races positively will be .held as aanouncedt


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Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800