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KENTUCKY RACING HOPES SUCCESSFUL TURF SEASON OF LAST YEAR TO BE IMPROVED UPON IN 1917. Progress the Word to Be Reflected in Increased Stake Values — Kentucky Breeders to Increase Their Thoroughbred Output. By John T. Snllef. Louisville-, K.v., January 1. — New laurels were : 1 i . - i to the fame of Kentucky :is tin- Iiqiio- of the thoroughbred iii 191 ;. Baetng, which has Eeen steadily improving since the introduction of the revised pari-mutuels, pea apace during the year Which is just closing and the dawn of 1917 for the "sport of kings" lies upon the horizon, roseate, full of promise. Though competition, at times, was keen, there was a Splendid array of handieap and stake horses in Kcntue ky through the sining and fall seasons. Some of the biggest stables of the eountr.v graced the Kentucky circuit this year and the prospects of even a broader patronage is anticipated in 1917. There was only one rough spot in the sport during the entire year and that is being v: tehed with interest from all sides with no showing of rancor. The Douglas Park Jockey Club questioned the authority of the Kacing Commission to decide the minimum purses to lie given in this state. The lower court has sustained the commission and the inestion will be decided by the Supreme Court during the winter. The tracks are willing to add . 00 each day in purses, but they took exceptions to having the least purse SMMI. According to those closely in touch with the situation, it will not make much difference which way a decision is made by the highest tribunal as I. .ith parties are willing to abide by the decision. The big stakes, which have for years featured fthe sport in Kentucky, all presented good fields, with the lone exception of the St. Loger last fall at Churchill Downs, which brought out only a small lield of fair class. The Kentucky Derby, the tddest of all events in the state, presented a remarkable field in 1910. with a real international flavor. The presence of A. K. Macombers crack Sunstar colt. Star Hawk, created added interest in the historical event, and he gave George Smith a battle royal for the prize. Kentuckys Attractive Stakes. Condition of the turf was reflected throughout the year by the liberal nominations in all stakes cfiered over the "Three I." circuit. Compared with other rears, the values of all stakes equalled and in many events surpassed the value of other years. These golden magnets have been strong enough to druw the stars of the east to Kentucky and the prospects of better sport in 1917 are even better than this year. With new tracks springing up overnight in Canada nnd Maryland, making a stronger bid for thoroughbreds, it behooved the Kentuckians to make some move to hold a piece earned by keeping the sixirt in existence wheal anti-racinn laws passed in other states threatened its life. In order to do this. Col. M. J. Winn, general manager of the New Ixmisvillc Jockey Club, and his associates, decided to add 7. KM to the Kentucky Derby of 1917. That was tiic first progressive move of the winter for the coming year, and it is believed it will have a far-reaching effect upon the apart, inasmuch as other tracks in the Blue Crass State doubtless will •follow the lead of historic Chun ill Downs. The Kentucky Derby of 1917 is brighter in prospects than any other Derby of recent years. The I ringing over from Kngland of North Star, one of the real Stars of the Knglish turf, by A. K. Mace nibcr. has caused the bleeders to begin looking oer and takii.g stock of the horses Kentucky will prepare for the classic. The meeting of Camp-fire, an Olambala offspring of K. T. WBaoa, Jr.s. which led all money winners in America this year. in the Derby, overshadows all other anghs. However, the Blue Crass State will be well represented ia Midway, -I. W. Pnrrishs good youngster, and W.sty Hogan. .1. Whitlow*! sterling two eel -Old. These two are of stake caliber and it is. by no means an assured fact, that even though Mr. Wilson sends the great Campfire to Kentucky lor the race, and A. K. Macombor gets North Star into prune condition, that one of these two cracks will lai. 1 the rich prize, as the bleed lines of West;, Hogan aid Midway show that the Kentucky stars are bred to go a route and .should possess rare staying powers. North Star a New Magnst. North Star arrived in this emnatfy a few weeks ago and will lie trained by W. B. Jennings, who handles the Macomber horses at 1almetto Dark. Charleston, S. ".. along with the big string of the western millionaire. The entire stable probably will come to Kentucky about April 1 for the spring season, which opens at Lexington late in April. The success of the Macomber stable was the sensation of the turf for 1910. The weatenet started into the apart Witt a rush, no performer being too high priced or too good for him to try t buy. He got together the most formidable .stable that has raced in Kentucky in many a long day. His string for 1917 is even stronger and several of the plums of the turf in Kentucky and the east as well seem almost at the mercy of the Macomber horses. Boots. Dodge, North star. Star Hawk, Ed Crump. Hank ODay and a score or more of other good ones will prove sufficient hardships for the Kentuckians to overcome in 1917. There is a good deal of interest right now in the proposed Uosedale track, which is in the vi-I cinlty of the Latonia course in Kenton County. Though no dates were granted at the last meeting of the liacing Commission for the newcomer, it is understood that the commission will be asked to sanction a meeting there after the closing of Latonia in July. With Cincinnati to draw from and ample facilities of getting to the course is sufficient, according to the backers of the project, to make the track a success, there are four tracks in Kentucky now and, from time to time, there has been a cry raised by the business men about the length of the meetings. ]„ each ,..,.,,. the Racing Commission has done enough to put the sport on better terms with all classes. At present the fall season is far shorter than formerly, but with five tracks going, the season will be increased in the autumn by something like tv-o weeks, if the new venture turns out as un-t .e ipated. Growth of Kentucky Breeding. One feature of IHHi is the way the nurseries have OCCa growing. For the past three years these establishments have been budding, but they promise to become full blown within a few years. The •rood prospects have brought converts to the sport .11, el. with these additions and the regulars expanding, it is possible that 1917 will show a fine ii. crease in the registration- of thoroughbreds. Owners of nurseries in this state have lost little time In getting English -bred stallions and mares. The European war, which has thrown everything pertaining to the turf across the Atlantic- into chaos, has been a fine thing for the sport over here. Nurseries, which have been curtailed beyond belief, added a stallion here, a mare there, and v. Inn it is added up, the total is sur-1 risingly good. John N. Camden, chairman of the Kentucky Kacing Commission, is doing more right now at Hart-! ind. his nursery m Woodford County, than in seme time-. He- has a fine- collection of mares :.nel is gjing in inure extensively into breeding. He proba btf will campaign a fair band of boraea next spring, but the youngsters coming on at Hartland are the horses he has high hopes of taking to the neea in the future. He- has. for years. hoped to breed erne good enough to win a Ken-ti-e-ky Derby. One year he had Helios, which, on his two-year-ohd form, figured a real contender, but the youngsUer went wrong early in the season. Then Bringhui-st showed up like a winner as a two -year-old. btrt he never got to the Derby. Luke was the last one to show promise, but he, too, tailed for the Woodford County turfman. George J. Long of Jefferson County, one of the strongest ssjsmsrters of the turf in Kentucky, has at least bred a mare he believes will be a real iuc-en in the nursery. In Kathleen he has a rare filly and Mr. Lmng places her in a class with Regret and tin- great Yo Tambien. This filly was the most sensational racer of the year in Kentucky and in thaj fall was almost unbeatable over the three-quarters route. Once she was beaten during the autuain. but she came right back the i.ext time out ajad won over practically the same 1 orses. She won 1,02S for her owner during the year, her victory in the Oaks being the biggest stake win of the year for her. Kathh-en did not show to her best in the east, but when trainer Pete Coyne fitted .her for the autumn season she did everything asked of her.
