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J * |j in tl p tl tl is f Ii It n n tl a £ A to to a tl ii ii a as tl a c ii t; t to i in t c t P i in t I v s t s 1 i s ASK REDUCTION IN PURSES Marylands Major Tracks Seek Relief From Racing Commission for the Fall Meetings. BALTIMORE, Md., June 11.— The major tracks in Maryland are seeking a reduction purse values for the fall meetings in this state. This has been made known by Jervis Spencer, Jr., chairman of the State Racing Commission. It is the Racing Commission that fixes the prize value for the overnight races in the state of Maryland and, under the existing rules, the minimum purse is ,300 for flat races and ,000 for steeplechases. is sought now to make the flat racing minimum ,000 and the steeplechase minimum ,500. The commission has been petitioned by the Harford Association of Havre de Grace, Maryland Jockey Club of Pimlico, Maryland State Fair of Laurel and the Southern Maryland Associatiion that races at Bowie, make these reductions. The different associations have set forth that, owing to the falling off in receipts, the reduction is imperative for the continued success of racing. Chairman Spencer expressed himself being in favor of such a reduction for the good of racing, but there will be no action taken until the commission makes a close study of receipts for the spring racing. After that investigation action will be taken by the commission. With the coming of the pari-mutuel law Maryland there came a marked increase prize money, made possible by the additional revenue and it was this prosperous condition that induced the enactment of the rule that fixed the high minimum for overnight purses. With a serious reduction the earning power of the associations there is no wonder that relief is sought. Even with these asked-for reductions, the values remain much higher than was possible before the coming of the pari-mutuels, but it would seem that the first reductions should be made in the specials of big values. These will also be undoubtedly reduced and, in fact, some associations have already made j some cuts in the rich prizes. •
