view raw text
SEES RETURN OF RACING PROSPERITY. The signs of the times seem to lwint to a revival of interest in the sport of horse racing in the United States. The backbone of the opposition appears to be broken. The bills pending, levied- against racing and betting on races, in some of the state legislatures are apparently only the expiring gasps of the rcprcssioiiists. However, this docs not behoove an. relaxation front vigilance on the part of those who are most vitally interested in the welfare of tiie sport; it should rather spur them on to fresh and encouraged effort and thereby so lirmly establish this time-honored sport on suoh a footing that it can never again lie assailed with any manner of sue cess. Eighty-six days of racing are announced for the state of New York this year, as against tifty-iive last season. From this it would appear that our breeders confidently anticipate, in the near future, a remunerative market for their yearlings, not! that the people of the Empire State demand and propose to enjoy the sport for a far longer period than was liossible in the dark days, which now seem happily to be over and done with. Tile racing pulse of the people of New York is the true index to the situation: a revival of the good times there means nothing but a cessation of hostilities elsewhere, for other states are morally certain to follow New Yorks lead. There must be. however, though the silver lining bids fair to break forth into open day. no cessation of endeavor to uplift ami improve the character of our racing. Special attention must be paid to the development of the social feature of the siiort especially . in the west -by those in control of our racing piaiits. As things now stand, the lady members of our racing enthusiasts hardly receive at the hands of the jKiwers that be the consideration whidi is justly theirs. There are no spacious lawns, carpeted" witli velvety turf and flanked by flowers, for promenade: the races are run off tit an amazing rate; the holiday feature is all too lacking: in fact, "the business of racing" is far too much in evidence, and if there is one thing more than nuotjier that will tend to improve the status of racing generallv it is the encouragement and development of the social feature. Thorouglibrcd Record.
