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BIGGEST ENTRY IN HISTORY BROOKLYN HANDICAP LIST DISPROVES DOLEFUL PROPHECIES ABOUT TURF. Advent of Wealthy Patrons and European War Held to Br the Chief Factors in Quick Recovery from Late Disaster — Metropolitan Gossip. By M Tolc New York, February 21.--No better tribute to racing reuld lie paid than the tact that the Brooklyn Handicap far tliis year has more entries thaa it ever had ia the history of the race. To use the exact expression af Fred Rrhberger, the secretary: "I Waa never more surprised nor gratified when the mailx rolled in to see more thaa eighty nominations." Iliis is bb extraordinary list, considering that it is .nl.v five yean since racing waa revived in tliis state. Winn Ill" I llllllll against racing waa settled and tli" snort looked apparently dead, it was freely predicted that it would take at the least tea years te ]mt it iii a healthy condition again, yet in five year* ii ia better thaa ever and has ■■eh greater prospect*, owing to the imme-ns ■ anaaher of im-ported banea that have been shipped to this conn try. This is mostly due to the war, hut even had the war not occurred, there is no question that many horses would have been imported, hut not in such numliTs. The principal reason for the advancement of the spoit. however, has been through the fashionable stables that have chosen this country for their staniping groaant. American Turf Profited by the War. I.ut for the war it is doubtful if we would have an opportunity to see the goad horses belonging; to John Saaford. the Widener Brothers. 11. 1. Whit-- ney. the Hitchcocks. horses bred by Ilarence Mack-P ey and of the late Herman Durycn. Consequently. while it is horrible to relate, this country lias profit, d. ream a turf standpoint, by the war. Thai it is in a better standing at this date is unquestioned, not only from a breeding view, but train ■ foundation of solidity broaght about by the iiiutuel system of speculation. This seems to have appealed to the patrons with such force that it is likely to be many yours before there is a return to the old systi ai of bookmaking. Kentucky. Maryland and Canada have shown that the mutucl system is pleasing to the pleaaare-toriag patrons. KataraBy, tin- professional prefers the books, but horsemen, associations and patrons liave learned in the last few years that mated* are popular. Whether the lent: winter meetings can be made l rafltahta in taMril cities with mataeJa remain- to be ]• roved. Matt Winn, who tried out mutuels in .luarez this winter, is positive of the outcome. New Oilcans and Havana aright fare well witii mutuels. but there is a doubt about Tijuana and Hot Springs. There i- no eaestJoa that if mutual* could be established on the tracks in New York state they would bring in a revenue sufficient to give the largest amounts in prize money of any state, and they would not have to tax tin speculator more than two per cent to do it. Some time this week, per baps, the question will be put to the legislators in Albany, when the subject will be threshed out and the feeling of tile house exposed. Discussing Date Schedules. What was accomplished at the meeting of presidents and secretaries of tin- several associations hereabouts on Monday list only those concerned know, as it was a gathering to discuss th" general conduct of the business and th" best methods to save money as all associations are dependent upon gate receipts alone in this state and the financial cloth, consequently, has to be cut pretty close to the edges. The- conduct of the sport proper and the schedule of dates was no doubt discussed, but belli are in the hands of the stewards of the Jockey Club. No cine seemed t" know just when or where the first meeting would be hold. W. C. IM wards, who represented the Jamaica track, had not. up to last Monday, made any application for dates, though th" question of opening is between Jamaica anil I.elnioiit Park. It is not probable the date schedule will be- issued before the first week in March. The date schedule is due for considerable thought, owing to tin- fact thai Piping Bock has claimed May 30 II ciuation Day and June 2 for its spring meeting. This means a conflict somewhere, If Jamaica is billed to oppose 1iping Back, then the latter would not suffer materially a- there an- no steeplechase* at Jamaica, but if Piping Bock and Belmont Park hold forth on May 31. then it will injure both institutions iu. regard to receipts What will be done in this matter, is the question troubling the mind* of the schedule trainers, there is every b.ln f that racing should be- held at Belmont Park on Decoration Hay, owing to the magnitude of the ground- and appointments, but the conflict would not only draw sonic- of the best horses from Bel meat to Piping Bock, but weald be a hardship on hot l* awa who have made and will make ei. tries at both tracks. It is a sort of muddle that ought to bo clarified if only for the aahe of beneusea who wish to race t In- same horses at both institutions. A division in the- house of racing i- not conducive to the health of the sport, those hard and hazard mis times. A unity of spirit would be mack more pleaahsg to the patrons of the sport.
