view raw text
Here and There on the Turf The Jockey Club Elects Sportsmen New Members Strong for Racing Others Deserve Recognition Hirsch Derby Colt Runs Well -------------- For quite a few years the membership of The Jockey Club was composed principally of persons whose interest in racing was not commensurate with their standing in the social world and the strength of the organization suffered accordingly. Its membership held to fifty by its charter, no action could be taken such as is contemplated by President Roosevelt to increase the number of Supreme Court judges beyond nine and no new members could be elected until vacancies were made available through death or resignation, with none of the latter forthcoming. In recent years, however, several vacancies have occurred through deaths of members and they have been filled by persons having extensive interests in the sport for which the rank and file of racing should feel very thankful. . At its recent meeting. Warren Wright and Alfred G. Vanderbilt were elected to membership, the latter becoming one of the youngest men ever to join The Jockey Club. During the winter James Butler, Jr., and Carleton Burke were honored through election to the organization, whose rules govern racing on the Metropolitan circuit with the approval of the New York State Racing Commission and which also compiles the Stud Book. The Jockey Club also influences the conduct of the sport elsewhere. All four of these men are breeders of thoroughbreds, with Wright, Vanderbilt, and Butler being actively interested in the management of race courses. Wright is a vice-president of Arlington Park, Vanderbilt an official of Belmont Park and Pimlico, while Butler directs the operation of Empire City and Laurel. Burke is chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, whose ideals have not been understood by persons having far less knowledge and experience of the sport. In recent years others elected to The Jockey Club were Albert C. Bostwick, C. V. Whitney, John Hay Whitney and Johnson N. Camden, all of whom actively participate in the sport as owners, breeders and stockholders of race tracks. Senator Camden, a leadin" spirit in the American Turf Association, became the first member of The Jockey Club in modern times whose racing interests were not centered in New York. Warren Wright becomes the first Chicagoan to be affiliated with the organization, while The Jockey Club increased the geographical scope of its membership greatly in electing Carle-ton Burke. Butlers appointment undoubtedly was in recognition of his splendid efforts to make Empire City racing as good as the best. Old-timers still recall the time when his late father successfully fought The Jockey I- Club some thirty years ago, when runners replaced the trotters in providing the action at the Yonkers course. The Jockey Club is to be commended for its selection of these sportsmen to join its membership, but it Is unfortunate that its roster Is restricted, as several other persons who have contributed much of their time, money and influence to racing deserve similar recognition. Max Hirsch decided not to rush the preparation of Dawn Play for the Kentucky Derby, but he may be handling a pair of likely prospects for the Churchill Downs classic in Up and Doing, owned by Mrs. Parker Corning, and Mosawtre, which races in the silks of J. M. Loft. They finished first and second ahead of three older horses over the mile and seventy yards course at Ja- maica Tuesday, but up to that time John B. Campbell, The Jockey Club handicapper, did not rate them so highly because conditions of the event called for grade "C" performers. Up and Doing, a son of Brilliant-Faithful Friend, by Ballot, was unable to finish in the money In three starts last year, Continued on twenty-third page.. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page. while Mosawtre was so highly regarded as a two-year-old that a fancy price was refused for him. His maiden victory was attained at the expense of Old Nassau, Clodion and Sceneshifter. He is by On Watch Kippy, therefore a brother to Sortie, a good horse, and trainer Hirsch has high hopes of the colt developing just as did his illustrious brother.
