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Here and There on the Turf Opening at Bowie. Transportation Improved. Impetus to Breeding. New York Tax Proposal. Ra?ing is back to Maryland and that means that the big and probably glorious campaign of 1926 is on its way. No matter how glorious the winter racing, and no matter to what importance it may grow, there is something about the spring opening that makes it bigger and better. It is a meeting of those who have idled in the ice and snow through the cold months with those who have followed the thoroughbreds to the southern climes. It is the beginning of the New Year for both horses and men that have idled and both are fresh and eager for the fray. All of that was ap parent at the big opening at Bowie on Thursday. The big opening attracted an altogether un usual number of New Yorkers, while, as is always the case, both Baltimore and Wash ington gave the thoroughbreds a hearty wel- come. Much had been done for the opening, but what was of greatest importance was the __ racing itself and the evidence that the horses that have not raced through the winter are exceedingly well advanced. The two-year-olds that were shown are a promising appearing band and the older horses show robust health and a fitness that promises greater things as the racing season advances. Howie, by reason of its sandy soil, has proved a tremendously popular winter spot for trainers . and a deal of useful work is possible when a track of different character would have been frozen hard and impossible for training operations. And the opening day demonstrated that the transportation f acuities both from Baltimore and Washington have been greatly improved. For a long time the only means of reaching the course was by the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis electric line. Now there are wide and well paved motor drives to the track, while at the same time the faculties of the electric line have been greatly improved. The- opening at Bowie presages a big Mary land racing season and a big Maryland season means a big turf campaign right through the racing year. And a big racing season means a new impetus to the thoroughbred breeding interests of the country, which after all is the big thing back of racing. It also means an improved American market for foreign bred horses, which market has had a tremendous boost by the success of Master Charlie in 1924 and the recent brilliant performances of Carlaris, win ner of the Tijuana Derby and the Coffroth Handicap at the Mexican track. With the constantly widening of the turf horizon the demand has increased until breed ing becomes a more profitable industry than ever before, while the importation of English, rrr-iich and Irish horses of a racing age assumes new importance. Time was when these importations were almost entirely confined to horses for stock purposes, while those brought over for racing were brought in to strengthen some individual stable and not for the market. Now it is possible for the prospective buyer to choose ■ ■ between the native horses and those of foreign blood hues at the yearling sales. These same importations, in good time, find their way to the breeding farms and thus th° blood stock of American breeders is enriched 1 i 3 4 4 7 C j ■ 2 1 J ■ 3 4 4 6 £ . 7 , 1 2 I 3 6 , 7 | 1 ; 3 5 r 6 7 • ! 6 ! 1 4 ■ ■ by the out -crosses. Altogether the progress of the American turf is of wonderful importance that is being better recognized and appreciated each year. There was no surprise when the New York racing tax bill was killed in Albany. This measure was not reported out of committee and that L? taken as the killing of the proposed law. From time to time, since the re| eal of the Percy-Gray law, this proposal to impose a tax on the racing associations of New York has appeared in Albany and its fate has always been defeat. This would all be different if the lawmakers had something to offer the racing associations. If it should become possible to have a just law passed in New York that would afford racing better protection in the state than i« enjoyed at this time, a tax would be welcomed, but the laws have sought to harass the sj ort in many ways and as long as there are such laws it is imj ossible to impose the tax. In spite of all that racing has gone through in the State of New York by reason of laws that at one time resulted in the closing of the big tracks for 1911 and 1912, the turf ha" grown and prospered marvelously in the state. This growth is an evidence of the j opularity! of the sport with the public and an evidence of ! ! j the fine courage of the turfmen of the state who carried on in the face of much opposition. Year after year the turf continued under a heavy loss and it is only within the last few years that the associations have received some small measure of recompense for those lean years. Now the racing has come to an importance that induces many to believe that the time is about ripe for the passage of racing measures that would put the turf on a solid foundation in the state and, at the same time, afford a revenue to the state. Racing will continue to grow and thrive in New York under the existing conditions, but it would be infinitely better if a racing law could be passed that would afford a greater degree of freedom to the turf and at the same time properly protect the sport as it should be protected.
