Agog over Racing Revival: Resumption of Sport at St. Louis after Interval of Twelve Years Causes, Daily Racing Form, 1917-08-17

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AGOG OVER RACING REVIVAL Resumption; of Sport at St. Louis After Interval of Twelve Years Causes Stir in Mound City. Racing for St. Louis? Why, when they closed the gates of the old Delmar track, back in the summer of 1905, they said the sport had departed forever for this neighborhood. Year after year politicians, promoters and others attempted to bring it back to life, and now Joseph A. Murphy has succeeded. He is going to give St. Louis a racing meeting, thoroughbreds, jockeys, stakes and all that goes witli the sport in a meeting for ten days, which starts August 29 and closes September 8. The old days back ngain was the picture at Maxwelton yesterday just like the days when Delmar, Fair Grounds", Kinloeh and the Union tracks operated. Once again there was the thought of the thoroughbreds dancing under the barriers starter, the cry of "Theye off!" the yells from the packed grand stand as the field- made the final swing around the stretch and then the finish of-tlie Worlds Fair Handicap with Colonial Girl across tlie wire a nose in front of Uermis. Those days more than a dozen years ago when this sport flourished, returned in this yesterday picture at Maxwelton. In the stables we saw morn than a hundred racers probably not the quality of Sysonby, Dick Welles, Gold Hells, Colonial Girl, Irish Lad, Ballot, Jack Atkiu, Rosebeii, Chapultepec, Salva-tor. Broomstick, Maj. Daingerfield and those kind, but racers of todays Then there were jockeys sprawling upon bales of hay, rubbing the frail ankles of their horses, and turfmen from many sections. There was A. C. McCafferty, whose daughter married Frankie ONeill, a St. Louis boy. ONeill now is riding in France. In tlie days of a dozen years ago Doc Fushong was a jockey here. Fushong now is an owner. "I cant believe it," he said, "Why, tell me, is it the truth that were going to have racing in the old town again? Ive traveled miles and miles, and do you know this is my happiest moment racing in St. Louis, lee, its great, aint it!" Many Familiar Racing Men on Hand. " This meeting lias called turfmen from all corners of the country. While the most prominent men of tlie sport may not be present, the list of arrivals shows many familiar racing characters. George W. Scott of Alibene, Tex., lias a large stable; Al Goodwin of San Francisco lias Important, Presumption and Menlo Park; W. D. Bernhart of New Orleans has Alma Louise and George L. Strang, George Peterson, :J. H. Booker, H. T. Batchler, B. P, OMeara. A. D. -Steele, W. A. Watkins, Fred Staton and A. W. Foulk have reservations. In many cases "with this sport the owner is the silent partner. He pays the bills and stands in the grand stand while his horse is racing around the track. He has his trainer, his jockey and his score Of assistants to attend to tlie care of the thoroughbreds. To the one on the outside, tlie racing follower is one who has entered the sport because he lacked an education to succeed in other business fields. This opinion is formed, though, because they arc not met by business people. It was noticed in particular yesterday that Judge Murphy received unusual courtesy from those around, the stables. Passing each individual, it was "Yes, sir. Judge," and "Howdy, Judge," always with a bow and a lift of the cap or hat. Judge Murphy passed one group with a trainer trying to remove a wire from a foot of a horse. The trainer looked up and apologized with: "Excuse me. Judge, for being busy, but you see the trouble Im in." And Judge Murphy passed on. A photographer was on hand to snap the thoroughbreds. As each trainer brought tlie horse from the stable he retreated with: "Anything els you want me to do. Judge?" John Caiey Looking After Details of Meeting. To John Carey is handed the task of making the preliminary arrangements for this coming meeting. John can tell you the first name of almost every horse entered in the books today. He knows the color of the nose before youre introduced to the mare or the filly, he knows the age, whether it is a good mudder or steps its fastest on a dry track and everyone incidental attached to conducting a meeting. Stable room is at a premium today and the meeting will not start for two weeks. The stalls which have been vacant for years have gone through a thorough cleaning and theyre getting ready for that first .race- two weeks from.,fnday. "I am positive that this meeting will boom St. Louis." commented Judge Murphy, as he inspected the stables. "Im a reformer and Im an advocate of racing. Im going to prove that St. Louis will support such a meeting and Im going to conduct it without violating the law. "Bookmaking will not be tolerated. Gambling will not be allowed. Of course, remember, we cannot prevent two friends from making a wager, but were going to co-operate with the law. "We do not intend to antagonize anyone. That is not our policy. We intend to have a meeting of clean racing, devoid of any trickery or foul methods. Were dealing with new turfmen and owners whose future standing iu the sport will depend upon their efforts in this meeting."; St. .Louis Times.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1917081701/drf1917081701_2_12
Local Identifier: drf1917081701_2_12
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800