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J. E. WIDENER PRESENTED WITH HISTORICAL BADGE h , j MIAMI, Fla., Feb. 10. One of the first membership badges ever issued upon an American race course was presented to Joseph E. Widener, vice-chairman of The Jockey Club and guiding spirit of Hialeah and Belmont Parks, yesterday afternoon. This little horseshoe-shaped silver insignia was given to Mr. Widener by J. W. May, veteran Kentucky horseman, at Hialeah Park, and it is believed to be the only badge extant of one of the first organized meetings of thoroughbreds in America, which was held at Lexington, Ky., in 1826. The badge was issued to C. W. May, the U donors grandfather, who was one of the founders of the American Racing Association. It has been handed down through three generations of Mays. "As I am the last of the Mays who will be on the race tracks of America, I am passing on this badge to you,. Mr. Widener, that you and your family may preserve it as an appreciation from the May family and the Kentucky turf of your magnificent work in the interests of the turf in this country," said Mr. May. Mr. Widener was deeply touched and he handled the little silver button with the veneration of a person viewing a sacred relic. "I will treasure this as an association to the birth of American racing," replied Mr. Widener. "I feel that we owe a great debt to your family and I promise that it will be passed on to my son." A.
