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RACING IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Twelve Races on. New Years Day Ccrd at Maui The Sport Expanding. BY F. L. McKEXXEY. SAX FRAXC1SCO, Cal.. December 21. As In other parts of the world, the great sport of thoroughbred racing is booming in, the Hawaiian Islands. Ilorseuien just-? n-tiirtfrd from Uncle Sams "specks" on the Pacific say the people of the islands have gone wild over racing.. Extensive plans are under way for the improvement of the plants at Honolulu, Hilo and on the island of Maui. A regular circuit will be established, for the three race course?, with meetings both in winter and in summer. By reason of the remarkably balmy climate all the year round, racing can go on at any time. Many of the well-known racing families of the United States are represented in the stock on the island, horses having, been shipped down frequently in the last ten years. The Parkers, Baldwins and .other well-known residents of the territory maintain stud establishments on a large scale and their produce. are prominent at the picturesque race meetings given at intervals. The prosperity of the sport is indicated by the decision of the club at Honolulu to construct a concrete grandstand on a new course recently selected. The Maul truck has been without a grandstand, but a substantial structure will soon be erected. A stand is not such a necessity at the island courses as in other countries, as the planters, merchants, plantation employes, cowboys and other racing enthusiasts come to the races in automobiles or horse driven vehicles and view the sport most of the time from their vehicles. The spirit of progress, however, has moved them to provide good seating accommodations. The next meeting on the islnnds is scheduled for Maui. The tidy sum of ,000 will be distributed on Xew Years diiy at the Kahului track. The Maui County Fair and Racing, Association.- in announcing the meeting, said the bS. sum for purses was made possible by the. voluntary subscriptions of individuals and firnis of Mnui who. believe the islands should develop more high-class h6rses for United States Army remount purposes and that racing is essential to that end. The program for the one-day meeting of twelve races provides for varied sport, as follows: First Race Three-quarters of a mile. Hawaiian bred, weight-for-age;. purse, winner 50; second 00. Second Kaco Three-quarters of a mile, open, weight-for-age winner 50; second 00. Third Uace Mile, Japanesevraee,;, winner 50; second 50. v. Fourth Race Mile and a half, open, weight-for-age; winner ,000; second, 50. Fifth Race Mile, Portuguese race; winner 00. Sixth Race Five-eighths of a railQ, open, weight-for-age; winner 50; second 0. Seventh Race Mile, open, weight-for-age; winner 1919.sh0; second 50. Eighth Bace Mile, Hawaiian bred, weight-for-age; winner 1919.sh00; second 50. Ninth Race Half mile, cowboys to ride; winner 50. Tenth Race Mile and a half, cowboys to Tide; winner 50. -. Eleventh Raee Half mile, ponies, 14.3 and under; winner 5; second 5, : Twelfth Race Three-eighths of a mile, ladies to ride; winner, a cup. . Thirteenth Race Half mile, mules; winner 5; second 5. Speakers at the meeting of- the Maui County Fuir and Racing Association which decided to hold the race meeting said that if the importing and breeding of thoroughbreds was to be of permanent value to the islands the various communities would have to support racing, and as far as Maul was concerned they were sure the people would give the heartiest kind of support. It was also urged that Futurity events he established in order that standards could he kept up for the best interests of breeding. The purses offered are double those in the past. Hilo is planning a three days meeting in June; Honolulu a four days meeting in July, and Maui probably will hold another meeting about that time. All the best horses in the islands are expected to be starters in the fealure race at the Maui meeting, the mile and a half event, open to all comers. John ORourke, a veteran horseman, who is here from Maui, said today the six-year-old bay gelding Robert Lee, a "nntive son", of California, is. favorite for the race. ORourke took the gelding to Maui last year. Robert Lee is by General Roberts Princess, and was bred at George M. Van Gordens El Riposo Ranch, Contra Costa County. ORourke has taken over .a number of .shipments of horses in - the last fourteen years. lit the old days or racing hereabouts he had The Fretter and other good racers.
