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WEALTH OF STAKE ENTRIES Nominations to Belmont Park Feature Races Show Big Numerical Increase. NEW YORK, N. Y., November 30. While it was generally expected that with the increase in the values of the stake races to be run at Belmont Park next spring there would be also nn increase in the number of nominations the actual results exceeded the hopes of the Westchester Racing Association. The nominations, which have just closed, totaled 1,640, as against 1,132 for last year. The largest gain was scored in the Belmont Stakes, which, in 1921, will have 134 eligibles and for the following year 178. The Lawrence Realization for 1921 closed with 204 nominations. The association was particularly gratified witli the interest shown in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Coaching Club American Oaks Handicap. These races were designed to bring out the qualities of courage and endurance which racing seeks to promote, and which is the mainstay of the breeding industry. The Gold Cup is the successor of The Jockey Clubs Weight-for-Age race. It now has an added value of 0,000 in cash and a gold cup of ,500 donated by The Jockey Club. It is the hope of The Jockey Club that this trophy will grow to be the most coveted prize of the turf, marking, as it is intended, the winner as the greatest stayer of" his year, and to be considered a high commendation for tho stud. Iu discussing the number, and quality of the entries, August Belmont, chairman of The Jcckey Club, was moved to remark: "It is all most gratifying. Racing with us cannot be counted upon as an Institution that can live ona perfectly steady and unalterable basis. The history of racing in the past lias shown a periodic shifting of authority and variation in public support and interest. The foundation of the turf must therefore be carefully looked after, so that as an institution the sport can go on with fixtures such as these, which can be counted upon as enduring. This stake system is best for the, breeding industry, as a definite and prospective engagement attached to a horse carries i vital interest to both the owner and breeder. "A good deal can be said for the comfort, profit and ease of mind of the owner racing under the Maryland plan of stake offering, in which the obligation of the horseman is reduced to a minimum, and in most cases he has none beyond the naming of his entry for the race. On the other hand, a Maryland association desiring, or being compelled to liquidate, could, and would, go out of business without having any obligations to racing as a deterrent from dropping out of the sport. That system offers no assured prospect for yearlings at our sales, the future depending solely upon the commercial prosperity of the associations in question. "lTnder the stake methods we offer in New York and in vogue in all countries having great turf history," resumed Mr. Belmont, "prospects have been built up solidly, giving definite vnlues to the thoroughbred. This carries with it obligations on the part of racing associations which Call for the greatest sacrifices in order that those obligations may be fulfilled. They bind the breeder, owner and racing associations together in a bond of common interest. The Maryland system is a stimulant, I admit, but ours is the wholesome and steady diet."
