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. Here and There on the Turf 4 -4 Probably there never will be universal satisfaction in the use of the pari-mutuel system of speculation in this country until there is the adoption of the totalizator, or some other method whereby actual odds, instead of approximate odds will be shown before the j running of each race. It will be remembered that this was at- , tempted by H. D. Brown at Arlington Park," near Chicago. His plan was that the calculations be completed before the starting of each race. This proved a failure for the reason that it occasioned too much delay and it was not carried through for as much as one program. No matter how carefully the approximate odds may be figured before the running of a race, they remain approximate and, when there is a wide difference between the approximate and the actual odds, it tends to create distrust. Unfortunately, at all of the pari-mutuel courses, the "come-back" money naturally plays an important part on actual odds and, invaribaly, this money comes late in the wagering. It disturbs the approximate considerably and the general public, of ne- cessity, is disappointed when the actual price on a winner is many points below the final promise of the approximate board. "When some method is devised or some machine adopted that will display the actual, rather than estimated, odds before the running of a race, the biggest thing will have been accomplished in mutuel speculation. j It is interesting to see that George W. Foremans Kentucky Derby candidate Ned O., is again taking his exercises regularly. The son of Campfire and La Flambee had his training temporarily halted when he came out of a gallop slightly lame, but evidently there was nothing alarming in the condition, for he is back, going soundly and showing becoming speed. This gelding has been under saddle as long or longer than any of the eligibles for the Kentucky "classic," but Foreman has been going slowly with him and he carefully built up the gelding through the cold months until now he is physically in a condition to go into the strenuous part of his conditioning. While his racing would not suggest real sprinting ability, the son of Campfire last season was the most alert horse in the Foreman stable, but that sprinting quality was not called upon in races and the training was for the purpose of building up a staying quality. There was real disappointment in the showing of Donnay in the Old Dominion Handicap at Bowie Saturday, but his showing could be charged up to the riding of Steffen. Don-nay, after being particularly sluggish leaving his stall at the start, was sprinted through the first half mile of the race. That carried him into third place on the turn out of the back stretch, but it also positively prevented his sharing inany part of the purse and was responsible, more than anything else, for his finishing last. Donnay is a "one run" horse and best results have always been obtained by rating him through the early running. As a matter of fact, such riding is to be desired with many horses, but it is particularly applicable to Donnay. Laverne Fator obtained his best results by permitting Donnay to settle nicely into his racing stride before calling on his speed. Saturday Steffen, after his misfortune at the start, tiptoed his mount for that first half mile and, making up a big gap, it left him nothing for the last three furlongs. The race was not a true index of the quality of the four-year-old, by reason of the manner in which he was handled. While there was a popular belief that the Louisiana Jockey Club had. lost money on its r.ecent Fair Grounds meeting in New Orleans, the report of Col. John P. Sullivan reveals a profit of 67,911.39. There is a wide difference between this and a loss, and, as a matter of fact, it is the first season in several years that the sport has proven profitable. When Edward R. Bradley became the ruling spirit and principal owner of the Fair Grounds, he carried through many big ideas regardless of expense, in the construction of a monster new grand stand, club house and -paddock, as well as the general beautifying -of the property. The program of racing was nlong bountiful lines and there was no thought of gain in the outlining of plans for the sport. Year after year, by reason of the vast expenditure and the heavy operating expense, there came a considerable loss. Then there came some retrenchments, though with them .all the meeting at the Fair Grounds was thVmost remarkable of all winter meetings, for the value of its offerings. Now with these retrenchments there has come a richly merited profit from the sport. From the beginning, Mr. Bradley has had an abiding faith in the future of New Orleans and, while there have been frequent reports of his interest in the Fair Grounds and the Louisiana Jockey Club being for sale, each one has been denied. There came the same rumor during the winter, but it, like all the others, has been denied by Mr. Bradley and the Fair Grounds is riot for sale. With the promise of a bigger and better season of racing by the Miami Jockey Club next year and the assurance that Mr. Bradley has in no sense tired of his New Orleans efforts there is already a bright prospect for the January and February racing of 1931. Some of the Widener improvements to the Hialeah course for its next meeting are already under way and, while the full magnificence of the plans will not be carried out until there is an adequate racing law enacted in Florida, there will be some of them completed, before next year. Considerable additional property has been taken over for the planned changes and work has begun in the planting of shrubs that in the southern clime will have reached a maturity for the next meeting that could not be reached in a much longer time in the North. There will be the three furlongs straight course for the use of juveniles, and there will be 110 races of a greater distance for the baby thoroughbreds. One other work that will be accomplished without delay is the building of a big saddling paddock. This is of great importance, and in this the Miami Jockey Club will vie with Belmont Park and Saratoga Springs. Mr. Widener knows the importance of. making it possible for the racing public to see the horses while they are being saddled for the races, and this enclosure will be a distinct departure from what has obtained at the Hialeah course. While the saddling paddock at the present course is larger and better than that of many another course, it has always been surrounded by rules that more or less barred the public. An admission was charged, but only horsemen, with a runner engaged, would be admitted to the saddling enclosure. This will all be changed. There will be no "admission to the paddock and", as is the case at Belmont Park and Saratoga Springs, the horses" will be saddled in the open-with the public welcome.
