Marylands New Track: Seems Certainty to be Built at Benjis, near Baltimore, Daily Racing Form, 1916-11-26

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MARYLANDS NEW TRACK SEEMS CERTAINTY TO BE BUILT AT BENJIS, NEAR BALTIMORE. Land Has Been Purchased and Track Named Goodwood Will Operate Early Next and Spring Association Formed. M 7 By Ed Cole. New York, November 25. Much bus been said -i ml written of late concerning new racing institutions to be built in Maryland. The first project miller discussion was the building of a new track at Jienjis, a spot about twelve miles from Baltimore, on tbe Pennsylvania railroad line. From all ac iuiits this enterprise lias stability, the land having tieen purchased and a charter procured; in fact, nbe track has already been christened "Goodwood" and an association formed to be known as the J.altimore County Itacing Association. Heliable reports indicate it will be ready for operation early Jlext spring. No sooner was the report of "Goodwood" noised around than another track building liroject was uncoupled. This later proposition is for liorse owners to build n track of their own somewhere in Maryland. Oscar Lewisohn is said to be n.-ivorable to such an enterprise. So far it has not yet materialized to any extent. The question of location has not yet been brought up, and a Itiilti moreau who was in this city yesterday intimated that it might be difficult for any new organization to find a resting place owing to the laws of the counties ana commissions. "It was demonstrated in Harford County," said lie, while speaking of opportunities for location, "that a new institution would not be permitted "there when the Fair Ground Association started to build a track near Havre de Grace. Again, in Bal-tiinore County, a law, passed in 1912, stipulates that no charter can be issued that carries with it a license to sell liquors or make wagers. Of course, it would be possible for horsemen to get together ;iml hold a hunt meeting or some sort of race meeting, but it would have to be without betting. Looking further than Baltimore County, the laws of Prince George and Ann Arundel counties provide for racing but thirty days in the year, and they are taken up at Laurel and Howie. This being the state of affairs as regards the lawfulness of a new race course, it appears that much would have to be done in the way of getting a license before any new association could advance to a marked degree." The general opinion hereabouts regarding horsemen building a racing plant is treated lightly. Those who know the inclinations of horse owners from years of experience infer that few would consider the proposition, and as for their subscribing even one-tenth of the amount necessary for construction, it is practically out of the question. Naturally there are few who would take stock, but they are very much in the minority.. There is one track in Canada in which the horsemen were asked to subscribe for stock. A few did so, and so far no dividends have been forthcoming, the profits up to the present having been swallowed up in improvements and land purchases. Horsemen, as a rule, want quicker action for their money than buying race track stock. In speaking of tin? proposed new track at Goodwood Park, in Italtimore County, Edward Burke, the manager of Havre de Grace, said: "If anyone wants to build a new track, let the good work go on. There is room for everybody. The only thing I hope is that the tracks do not get too thick in Maryland."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1916112601/drf1916112601_1_4
Local Identifier: drf1916112601_1_4
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800