view raw text
LATER OPENING BLESSING Delay at Tanforan Will Solve Problem of Securing Sufficient Horses For Meeting. SAN FRANCISCO. Cal., December 15. Horsemen are enthusiastic about the revival of racing on a high scale at Tanforan, the only regret being that the opening will not come until April or May. The delay in construction of the grandstand probably is a blessing in disguise, however, as by the time the first meeting is held horses will be available from Tijuana and other tracks. Clarence Buxton, who has twelve thoroughbreds at Tijuana, told racing secretary "Bob" Leighton of the Pacific Coast Jockey Club he was anxious to ship to the peninsula course. Buxton raced at Emeryville in the old days and has a home across the bay. Racing has an appeal that is hard to turn a deaf ear to and quite a number, of men living hereabouts may enjoy the thrill once more, after a lapse of many years, of "rooting" for one of their own in a race. Attorney Charjes F. Hanlon, well remembered as mentor of "Tod" Sloan when that world-renowned saddle artist was getting a few mounts out at Bay District track ; Matt Reis, who had Fntre Nous and other good ones at Emeryville. The Meadows, Seattle and other coast courses, and other "old timers" arc hearing the siren call of the sport once again. It would not come altogether as a surprise if the veterain owner and trainer Walter B. Jennings had a string at Tanforan. The Virginian is showing much interest in the preparations for racing and may be unable to resist the "lempttaion" to fall into line. His last active connection with the turf was in handling the A. K. Macomber stable on the metropolitan circuit last year. Richard McCreery has shown wide interest in thoroughbreds for some years and he is among the likely ones to have his colors up at the picturesque track at San Bruno. Twelve years ago he made good bids in England on yearlings from the late William OBrien Macdonoughs Ormondale Stock Farm, San Mateo county, and secured a few. The Britishers were a little bit slow in bidding on colts and fillies that had been shipped 7,000 miles, but when the Californian boldly bid high on the "babies" the owners of the "tight little isle" fell into line and made the sale a successful one. Many of the youngsters were of the Ormonde line and the magic name of the Bend Or horse helped too. James MacDonnel, superintendent of the Ormondale haras, was in charge of the transcontinental and transoceanic trip of the yearlings and he landed them in England in the best of condition. He is a frequent visitor at Tanforan.