Governor Praises Racing: New York Chief Executive Unexpected Guest at Jarvis Dinner, Daily Racing Form, 1923-10-26

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GOVERNOR PRAISES RACING New York Chief Executive Unexpected Guest at Jarvis Dinner. - Pays Fine Tribute to the Turf and to English Visitors Trainer of Papyrus Reiterates Intention of Trying for Cup Again. NEW YORK, N. Y., Oct 25. Governor Alfred E. Smith gave the racing men assembled at the dinner given by Isaac Whitsed and Basil Jarvis to their American friends at the Biltmore hotel on Monday evening a chance to applaud when he spoke in praise of the turf. After expressing his regret at not being able to be at Belmont Park to witness the International race last Saturday because of his attendance at the conference of governors in Washington, the chief executive of the Empire State said: "I dont know much about racing because I havent the time to attend often, but I know its a fine sport. It doesnt belong to the aristocracy. It belongs to everybody. In years gone by it has been criticized, but nearly everything we have that is good, including the Declaration of Independence, has had to undergo a certain amount of criticism. The fact that the sport can be kept on a plane of decency" should bring it the support it deserves. "Racing is a wholesome, vigorous, good American sport, and it is entitled to support as such," concluded the governor, amid the heartiest applause. SMITH NOT EXPECTED. The presence of Governor Smith at the dinner was unexpected. He was stopping at the hotel for the night and was actuated by a desire to pay a tribute to the English visitors who were leaving for home next day. The governor has an intensely human side, and he told Steve Donoghue how he had been touched by the written statement of the jockey, in which he told how badly ho felt at being compelled to punish Papyrus in an endeavor to overhaul Zev. Like Major Belmont, who had spoken before the arrivel of the governor, he hoped that the British sportsmen would come over again and keep on coming like Sir Thomas Lipton, till they lifted the cup. Papyrus was visited in his box by hundreds of visitors aboard the Aquitania before it sailed Tuesday morning. It is certain that none of the passengers on the giant liner will receive more attention than the Derby winner, whose friendliness makes him a great pet with women and children. A few minutes before the Aquitania sailed Basil Jarvis and Steve Donoghue in chatting with friends reiterated their determination to return to the United States. The former remarked that the obtaining of a horse good enough to come over and win the challenge cup would be one of his ambitions. In the meantime, there is every probability that Mr. Sinclair will go through with the plan for an English campaign for Zev and Basil Jarvis has told him that he would be glad to take that horse at Green Lodge, his cozy quarters at Newmarket As Mr. Jarvis has already trained a winner of the Ascot Gold Cup in Periosteum, there would seem to be a good chance of a second victor in that coveted event being turned out of that establishment if the hero of the International had no mishaps. As Admiral Grayson has also planned sending My Own abroad for this particular race, our British cousins may have a chance to see two of our best horses in action in 1924. Mr. Whitsed did not accompany his friends on .the Aquitania. He wants to see something more of this country and will put in a couple of weeks sightseeing. He will visit Niagara Falls within the next few days.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1920s/drf1923102601/drf1923102601_17_2
Local Identifier: drf1923102601_17_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800