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Here and There on the Turf Purchase of Jefferson. New Turf Governing Body. Laurel Has Its Opening. Bradleys Boys Club. There was no great surprise at the announcement of the sale of Jefferson Park to the Chicago syndicate of which Joseph A. Murphy is the ruling spirit. The sals does not mean there will be any marked changes in the racing plans for New Orleans, and the racing there will begin as formerly on Thanksgiving Day at Jefferson Parish track. There will also be a second meeting in the spring, as has been the custom. For a considerable time it lias been the desire of Joseph A. Murphy to form a western, or, rather, a middle-western turf association that would build up a circuit, such as was in existence several years ago. The taking over of Jefferson Park is an important step in that accomplishment. Time was when horses that raced through tha winter months had the choice of continuing up through Benning, at Washington, to New York, when that racing season opened in April, or shipping from New Orleans through Memphis, Nashville, Lexington or Hot Springs and Little Rock. In those days the middle western circuit took some of the sportsmen direct to Windsor and the Parmer-Hendrie circuit. For that circuit really began at Nashville. Others would make Louisville and Latonia, instead of continuing to Canada, but these were distinct circuits, with scant conflict, and the racing was virtually continuous with the best horses that were not in the winter racing being content with Kentucky rathef than the Canadian trip. There have been many changes in the turf map since those days. The racing was banished from Tennessee and that meant the passing of Cumberland Park at Nashville and Montgomery Park at Memphis, where some of the greatest horses raced in its heyday of importance. Little Reck and Hot Springs went out largely because there was a bit of conflict between the racjng there and at M2mphis and Nashville and also because of hostile legislation. Then in the East that bill to provide for the "widening of the Benning road" had tha joker concealed that wiped out the sport in the district of Columbia. But, in the meantime, Maryland has held out a warm welcome to racing and it has more than taken the place of old Banning in the sport that has been furnished both spring and fall. Then came the Kentucky Jockey Club that grew to its present immense importance. There was the forming of the. racing commissions in both Kentucky and Maryland that gave sanction and support to the turf and tha old middle western circuit was not seriously missed. But with the prosperity that came to the turf there came an increased thoroughbred production and greater demands for the produce of the stock farms. Racing has been flourishing in many sections at the same time, but there have been conflicts and with the con stantly growing importance of the sport, there seems to be ample room for just such an or ganization as Mr. Murphy and his associates are striving to form. It is essential that there be a central governing body and it must work in harmony with the existing governing bodies. That is the only way it will be possible to have peace and prosperity in the greatest of all sports. , Laurel has had its opening, and it was a brilliant one. The sport was befitting the occasion and the Maryland course attracted an immense gathering for its inaugural. The racing that will be offered at this delightful course has more of an appeal this year than ever before. One added attraction is the engagement of Pierre Wertheimers Epinard in two of the fixtures. One of particular importance is the 5,000 Washington Handicap, and should the French colt be triumphant in his third special at Latonia Saturday it is easily understood what an important attraction he will be in Maryland. It is well that such a colt as Epinard should be shown in the three big racing sections in this country, and, no matter what the outcome Saturday, it is to be hoped that he will be shipped to Laurel to fill his engagement there. He has been shown in New York; he is to be shown in Kentucky, and Maryland is entitled to a close-up of this French aristocrat. His coming to this country has done much for the turf, and it is right that Maryland, with its turf importance, should have him for a visitor. As the date for the running of the third International Special draws near, the interest j in that race increases immensely, and it is safe to predict that the mile and a quarter will be a race to eclipse even the tremendous success of the three-quarters sprint at Belmont Park or the mile dash at the Aqueduct course. Epinard has made many friends by his private showing at Latonia, and the new element that enters into it with the best of the Kentuckians, as well as Sarazen, opposing him, gives the race tremendous importance. It is almost certain that the field to go to the post at Latonia Saturday will be one of the best that has ever been seen in this country. The good ones are ready and the invader seems to be at the top of his form to uphold the glory and fame of France. Thursday evening, beginning at 8 oclock, there will be a vaudeville program offered at the Bradley Club for boys. On Wednesday, Octobar 15, a dance will be given at the same place for members of the club and their friends. This announcement tells of one of the big things done by Edward R. Bradley for the. benefit of the jockeys and little fellows, as well as the older boys, of the turf. The Bradley Club for Boys is an institution of the Latonia track and it is a big thing in the social life of the little fellows. It was an idea of Mr. Bradley and it already has done much to kesp the jockeys well entertained, in a healthful and harmless fashion, when, without this entertainment many of them would seek more hazardous fun in the city. The boys club is a big thing and it cannot fail to have a wonderful interest for the little fellows of the turf. Jockeys, by reason of their calling, are frequently of immature age. Success can be a real menace to some of them. Success is too often followed by temptation and evil companions. Mr. Bradleys club gives these little fellows the right surroundings. It offers them the entertainment that the boys need to keep them about the race track, where they belong. It keeps them away from the bright lights and the temptations that have ruined all too many of them at the beginning of what promised to be a brilliant career. And Mr. Bradley has not stopped with building the clubhouse for these little fellows. He sees to it that they have an abundance of entertainment and there is to bz a vaudeville show Thursday night and a dance next week.
