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I ; i t i i t i i 1 J I 1 I i i I FRISCOS BETLESS MEETING | Much Interest Aroused in Contemplated Venture of Pacific Coast Jockey Club. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.. April 3— With the final announcement of the organization of the Pacific-Coast Jockey Club, backed by millionaires of San Francisco and other sections of the state, race track followers in this section are awaiting witii more than ordinary interest the outcome of the first ••betless" race meeting of any proportions in tiie country. Members of the rich Sprockets family, who are back of the enterprise heart and soul, declare that when Tanforan does open, as it is hoped, in the fall, perhaps on Thanksgiving Day. betting will absolutely not be tolerated. In addition to barling offenders for all time from the track. Rudolph Spreckels says the Jockey Club will assist in the prosecution of any violations of the state law. The argument of the sponsors of the club is that the people can be educated to the love of racing . just as to baseball or football and that betting does not necessarily have to follow. . They point to the fact that already 75,000 has , been subscribed with which to purchase Tanforan , track and erect grandstands and stables. They say , they do not want to make any financial profit from this enterprise: that they are concerned with the breeding of good horses and the rehabilitation of , the sport in the Golden West, and that if they , break even they will be well satisfied. At present writing the actual transfer of the property has not been completed. It is first necessary to . go through certain legal moves at the state capital in Sacramento, submitting their papers to the commissioner of corporation. Once that is done, the achitec-t will be asked for plans and it is believed the first of May or the middle at the latest will ee the actual work in progress. Tanforan has not been used as a racing ground in j years, not since Thomas J. Williams won his war with Prince Poniatowski and moved bag and bag-age to Emeryville. The grandstands and stable buildings were left intact for many years, but a year or so ago the bank that had foreclosed on a mortgage razed | the buildings and tore down the fences. It will virtually be a case of building a new i track and stands and the directors promise- it will i be the most modern racing plant in America when -it is completed. t In order to coax the one-horse owner, the man or woman who does not feel able to maintain an | expensive string. Ihere will be a public racing . stable where a horse may be kept and raced for i a nominal sum. Some 4"i0 associate memberhips are to be alloted t to those who subscribe for $.100 each of the pre- c ferred stock. These memberships will carry the 1 privilege of clubhouse entry. Rudolph Spreckels believes the public is interested in steeplechase races aud says as many of these spectacular contests as possible will be programmed. The Tanforan track is fourteen miles from San Francisco, south on the state highway in eSan ! Mateo County and within the incorporate limits of ! San Bruno. It can be- reached by railroad transportation in twenty minutes, by street car in thirty-five, by automobile bus in half an hour and in less time if you travel by your own automobile. If this track is a success the stockholders may eventually open a smaller one in I»s Angeles.
