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i Here and There i on the Turf t i Bennett Opinion Means Noth- J ing j May Help in Fight for Mutuels j ! Dual System Would Be Sue- ! cessful t Colonel Chinn Sells Bargain j ♦ John J. Bennett, Jr., attorney general of New York State, was asked for an opinion on the legality of betting on horse races under the New York laws, and he gave his answer — exactly what was expected. The constitution of New York forbids gambling on races, and regardless of the number and kind of resolutions passed by the assembly and signed by the governor, it is still illegal to make a bet at a metropolitan track. However, racing very likely will continue just as it has for many years without undue interference from law-enforcing bodies. Meanwhile Senator John J. Dunnigan is staging his fight at Albany to change the constitution so that horse race betting can be made legal, and he asked for that opinion from the attorney general as a strategical stroke. Should the assembly pass Dunnigans resolu-tion to alter the constitution, it will be asked j to do the same at its 1937 session, and the | voters will have it before them in the fall of that year. If the proposal becomes a reality, the 1938 assembly will have the op- I portunity to pass a law permitting pari-mutuel as well as bookmaking betting. Jeremiah J. Twomey, another powerful member of the state senate, is opposed to the Dunnigan resolution, evidently believing! the present method is all right and the j legislature should let well enough along. The state racing commission, composed of Herbert Bayard Swope, John Sloane and John Hay Whitney, recommends the dual system of books and mutuels, and if Dunnigan wins with his amendment, they can be expected. Properly controlled, such betting would enable New York racing to reach greater heights than ever before. The crowds would be so great that Aqueduct, Jamaica and Empire City would have to give way to new, larger plants. Even Belmont Park might be inadequate on important days. But if not looked after properly, such betting soon would result in the downfall of the sport. Five per cent take out will be sufficient for New York racing to be conducted under the pari-mutuel system. The percentage could be split between the tracks and the state. The bookmakers could have their positions as usual, and would offer competition against the "tote" in their odds. The one method very easily could prove a boon to the other. The dual system has a great many ideal features, and those who believe that bookmaking is the only way in which to wager on the horses probably would find the mutuels meeting with considerable difficulty in making inroads on the popularity of the books. Legalized wagering will permit bookmaking of the proper sort— full-sized slates, with the commissioners giving out tickets as receipts for the bets. Those who care to take a chance on what their horse will pay will stick to the mutuels, and those who would shop for a bargain price will take the books, and there will be plenty of both. Col. Phil T. Chinn sent a modest stable of horses— mostly two-year-olds— to the recent Santa Anita meeting in charge of Walter /Continued on twenty-seventh page,. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. Taylor, and he followed them out to sell them to the highest bidders. J. Thomas Taylor, trainer for Mrs. Silas B. Mason, was the successful bidder for Planetoid, a gray daughter of Ariel and Lachica, by Sweep, which has started and won three times, the latest triumph coming in the Jeanne DArc Stakes at Narragansett Park. Planetoid appears to be the female Airflame, that son of Ariel also continuing unbeaten. Sooner or later they may clash to decide which is best of Ariels get, if not to decide some sort of a championship . The Taylor filly, like most of the Ariels. is lacking in size, but she has oodles of speed and knows how to use it. By the way, Walter and Tommy Taylor are brothers, and Walter now works for Tommy. Ned Reighs illness undoubtedly will prevent that colt from running again for a long time, if it does not cut him down from being a topnotcher. James Thornton, former Rhode Island racing commissioner, who has been engaged by the bondholders to conduct a meeting at Agawam, is very enthusiastic over the prospects and within a few days hopes to announce a staff of officials that will include two of the big names. A few days ago in this space it was mentioned that Airflame had been blistered f or j ankle trouble. Nothing of the sort — he j bumped his knee against the Santa Anita | stall gate, and the injury lasted only a few days. Robert Jones has refused an offer to join a prominent western stable, and he may affiliate with a leading eastern establishment within a few days. Harry Richards probably will do much of the riding for the Jeffords stable in New York.
