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t-. ----- - - -1 Here and There on the Turf Legalized Bookmaking an Experiment Must be Properly Managed Suffolk Stake Doubled in Value Now Richest Summer Handicap . With tha signature of the governor, Maryland will become the first state to have legalized bookmaking, the legislature having passed the bill which will permit a citizen i of five years standing to lay prices on the horses on payment of an annual license fee of ,000, except in Prince George County, where the fee would be 0,000. The operator also will be compelled to give one per cent of his gross business to the state. Many counties in Maryland do not come under the bookmaking bill, but the two important ones, those containing Baltimore 5 and the outskirts of Washington, will be privileged to have legalized bookmakers, and it is from these centers that the sponsors of the measure expected the state to receive the bulk of its revenue of this character. Legalized off-the-course betting will be more of an experiment during its first year in Maryland, and whatever flaws there may be will be certain to come to the surface. The license fee has been made high enough to reduce the number of operators to only those which are financially responsible, while the five-year clause will confine them to residents of the community. It will not be surprising if some of the shops develop into large establishments, but it is to be hoped, for very apparent reasons, that they will be properly managed, thereby removing any suspicion that bookmaking is a "racket: Off-the-course wagering is a pastime in England, and there is no reason the same cannot hold true in this country. Maryland is nate where the people possess the proper attUude toward racing and legalized book making is certain to receive a proper trial successful in there If the experiment Is Maryland, other states will be sure to give trial, thereby add o f-the-course wagering a ing revenue and at the same time elimlnat "what effect legalized off-the-course wagering will have on the business at the Mary- land tracks remains to be seen, but we have a suspicion it will stimulate interest in the sport as a whole. Pimlico and Bowie at least are two tracks that could operate "foreign" books, if the writer understands the terms of the new law correctly. Such a book would enable a player to wager on a horse running elsewhere while in attendance at the track. We have not sounded the managements of either Bowie or Pimlico on this subject, but It Is undoubtedly a subject for them to consider. Whatever feelings the Maryland track operators have regarding the new law they may feel happy that twenty days have been added to the racing calendar, giving them each five days more if they care to take them and very likely they will. To some persons the increase in Maryland dates will not meet with approval because they have attributed the long, fine life of the sport there to the conservatism of the schedule. Charles F. Adams and his associates in the operation of Suffolk Downs have made up their minds about doubling the value of the Massachusetts Handicap, and so for the first time in many years older horses will opportunity to win a race have a summer worth at least 0,000, This mile and one furlong event may be the fore-runner of other handicaps of great value during the major season in which there is a distinct trend towards racing of this character. A few more weight-for-age contests should be added to the country-wide program, however, to balance it. The Suffolk Downs leaders sent out a "feeler" a month ago regarding an increase in the value of its principal event and trainers everywhere having good horses promised their support, so Adams and his associates feel justified in making their bold move. It certainly will give horsemen a worthy objective. American racing now boasts of an imposing array of events for horses three years old and older, including the 00,000 Santa Anita Handicap, 0,000 Widener Challenge Cup and Massachusetts Handicap, 0,000 Narragansett Special, 0,000 Brooklyn, Butler Memorial and Arlington Handicaps; 5,-000 Waggoner Memorial, 0,000 Dixie, Suburban, Stars and Stripes, San Juan Caplstrano, Washington, Havre de Grace Handicaps and Longacres Mile. There are also numerous other handicaps having values of ,000 and ,500, as well as such attractive contests as the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Saratoga Cup, Whitney Stakes and Wilson Stakes, which are at weight-for-age or carrying allowances. Haw- thorne is expected to revive its Gold Cup, although it may be under handicap conditions, the suggested value being 5,000. Equipoise and Discovery just happened along a couple of years too soon to earn more than they did, but perhaps the coming-season will bring out a handicap star such as they were.
