view raw text
SOME SUGGESTIONS FROM KENTUCKY In the course ef a vigorous editorial tinder tin iaptlon Let Kentucky Set an Example the Lex ¬ ington Herald edited by Dcsha ISrcckenridgc who Is himself interested in racing as a thoroughbred owner says saysNine Nine years ago live gentlemen met in the Herald ollici to consider what could be done to save rac ¬ ing which at that time eenied in imminent danger of the same fate in Kentucky it had met in other states As the result of that meeting Jotiu T Shelby Ksi and Oel John It Allen were employ ¬ ed to draft a bill creating a State Kacing Com ¬ mission with general nowers to regulate racinsr The bill prepared by them was passed by the Leg ¬ islature by a practically unanimous veto and ap ¬ proved by the governor Due to that bill and to the wist rules promulgated and enforced by the State KaclUg Commission racing has been reestablished jn Kentucky and is now in a fair way to be re ¬ established in numerous other states Those wlr rememlxr the dark days of IfiOIi will rcall with what ditliculty it was possible to hold a meeting at Lexington how dangerous seemed the prospect that it would be but a short time till Ken ¬ tucky joined the ranks of her sister states in which racing had been stepped Since then Kentucky has MTVIH as an example for other states to follow today the Kentucky circuit is the most successful of any series of race tracks in the United States Instead of New York holdin premier position Ken Hicky today gives larger purses and attracts the be it horses of any state in the union unionOther Other staKs have used the law passed by Ken lucky as a model and there is a constantly grow ¬ ing demand that the parlnmtucl system of betting be substituted for the liookiiiaUer It looks as if Iliere would quickly come a return f those days xvheii racing was the king of sjxirts as well as the spurt of kings The whole country now recognizes the Heed for thoroughbred blood the whole world lias been taught the lesson that the linso is one of IIM essentials for the equipment of an army that neither motor car nor aeroplane is a substitute f fir ir the cavalry that is both the eyes of the army a nd the javelin of the attacking force States laat have for years prohibited racing are now auth lyIng racing under laws similar to the Kentucky law The very prospect of the reestablishment racing however with the success that seems as s irid brings memory of the dangers that are coiinecled therewith and makes it incumbent upon those interested in the breeding and racing of thoroughbreds to colder how best Kentucky may re HiiHn as an example fr other states statesThe The racing associations in Kentucky have lxeii generous in the purses and stakes they have offered and have reaped the fruits of their generosity in tli Increased attendance of those who are willing to fiay t see the best thoroughbreds contest Ity rea ¬ son of their generosity they hae reaped such largn prolils that associations which were on the verge if haiikrunlcv nine vears ago are today canting fair and itliors large dividends They should continue lo follow the dictates of generosity and not again incur the dangers that came from the popular feel ¬ ing that too largo profits were being made l y tins owners of the race tracks They should give purses anil stakes sudicient to secure the best horses in training generous liberality has proven its worth They should also consider with care whether it is not best that they give a part of their earnings to create a more widespread and general interest iu the breeding of thoroughbred or halfbred horses horsesWould Would it not bo wise for tut breeders owners trainers and associations lo form an organization similar to the HreodiTs Itnrvau of some vears ago t give to various counties in the state thoroughbred stallions and create a fund to give premiums to the got of these stallions shown at the county fairs It would be but a few years till through such a course Kentucky would IK able to furnish a large number of crosscountry horses for which there is always a demand greater than the supply in every county in which such stallions were placed and at every fair at which the get of such stalHons were shown there would be a recognition of the benefit of thoroughbred blood bloodCertain Certain racing ollicials in this state and in other states seem to be under the misapprehension that before they should warn a man oIT the tiuf ho should have the right to a trial similar to a trail ill court and that his guilt must be demonstrated lieyond all doubt Naturally and of course every crook upholds this mistaken Idea which is Utterly fallacious No man should be permitted to race whose inllncucc on the turf is pernicious nor should the racing oflicials require proof of the guilt of a man whom they know to be guilty of having com ¬ mitted acts that are injurious to tiie l est interests of the turf turfThe The English Jockey Club ruled from the turf a prince of the royal house without giving a reason other than that his presence was undesirable Owner trainer jockey bookmaker patron whose presence is undesirable ou the track should 1 J warned from the turf Those who through long years are so in tln habit of conducting themselves as to justify a belief that racing is crooked that horses are pulled that jockeys are bribed that trainers arc subservi ¬ ent to the bookmaker should not lie permitted to continue in the sport No man has a right to race He must obtain a license before lie can train horses or before he can ride in races It is a privilege to lie granted only to those of good character and fail ability who desire with others to engage in a sport which depends for its continuation on the good faith honesty character and ability of those who participate therein thereinAfter After the close of the meeting tit New Orleans Mr Murphy who was largely responsible for that meeting and its success said Vith racing coining back in many of the states its future can be assured only by making betting purely an incident The plunger and the operator who telegraphs big com ¬ missions to handbooks throughout the country creates distrust and shouhl have no place In the sport which if it is to live must bo operated purely for the sports sake Tills can be done without the slightest didieully if notice is quietly served on all these people that their company is not desired If any person desires to operate ou a scale too large for the betting which a race track may have he can b classed only iu the light of an undesirable and where I have this power to do It In future I will purse peopleNo tlie sport ef such people No truer words were ever spoken than these If Hie plunger is to be the dominant or even a promi ¬ nent factor In racing racing is doomed if the man whose prime interest in racing is the betting Is to be in any sense a controlling or even a tolerated factor racing should be doomed Those who run their horses meivly to bet upon them should be barred from the turf those who connive at the use of methods that will bring discredit to the turf should be ruled off offThe The Kentucky State Kacing Commission and the otllcials of the tracks in Kentucky should blaze the way for the control of racing as Kentucky blazed the way for the adoption of the law which has now become the model for other states A federal law which became operative the tlrst of March makes it possible to discover who buys the various concoctions made from opium There have for years been re ¬ ports that some trainers use various concoctions to give their horses false courage as there Imve been rumors that certain trainers and jockeys were In collusion in operating on the race courses The state racing commission and the otlicials of the race associations in Kentucky should let H It known that am man who uses any coiicuclloii to gl to a horse fnUf courage will be barred from the track as will the horses owned by him himTo To the members of the state racing commission and to the officiate of the race tracks in the state the racing public and all who are interested In the i it f a sport upon which Kentucky s pros gely lepends look for protection from those who will q lickly destroy that sport if they are permitted to go their way unchecked The racing commissioi has the authority to take the iieccsmry steps t protect the sport and upon it rests the rcspoiisil Uity for the results
