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Here and There on the Turf Whitney Changes His Mind ; Howard Must Alter His Plans Keeneland to Have Best Meeting More, Better Horses on Hand j 1 C. V. Whitneys opposition to the match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral apparently has been broken down and he has agreed with the other directors of the Westchester Racing Association that it shall offer a purse of 00,000 for the event Out of the conference of Belmont Park directors Tuesday, came the proposal that the match should be held during the spring meeting rather than the fall, and Memorial Day was set as the date with the Suburban Handicap, usually staged on that holiday, to be shifted to another time. Samuel D. Riddle readily agreed to the change because it made but little or no difference insofar as War Admiral is concerned. The colt is at Belmont Park, -where he can be brought back to fitness again by George Conway within a reasonable period. With Seabiscuit, the situation is quite different Charles S. Howard appears quite anxious to pit Seabiscuit against War Admiral in a special event, however, and has indicated a willingness to accept the new date, even though it necessitates a drastic change in his plans. A circumstance that influenced Howard to agree to the change from a fall date to a spring date for the match race is the .matter of penalties. If Seabiscuit started in the 15,000 Bay Meadows Handicap Saturday and won it, he would incur a penalty for the Hollywood Gold Cup. Such penalty would not apply in the match race. However, should Seabiscuit be beaten in the Bay Meadows Handicap, it might nullify the match race. Howard thus is in somewhat of a quandary. Seabiscuit was to have remained in California until July 16 for the running of the 0,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, but if he makes the cross-country trip next month the Hard Tack five-year-old may be expected to remain in the East for the summer, as he will have enough engagements ,to offset absence from Inglewoods principal feature. The Massachusetts Handicap alone has a value duplicating that of the Hollywood Gold Cup, but War Admiral also is eligible for that race and the opposition otherwise might be tougher than would be encountered in the western attraction. Just as large a crowd would be drawn to a clash between the two stars that was brought about in the natural course of events, but both owners long have indicated a willingness to run their horses under special conditions and so it was not so difficult to make arrangements once an acceptable purse was offered. The match race already has been given wide publicity throughout the country and will continue to do so until it has been run. We are hopeful interest in racing will receive a fine impetus from the Seabiscuit-War Admiral duel, but the sport probably would be better off in the long run . If the two horses came together in one of the established features like the Suburban or Saratoga Cup. But Belmont Park or any other track of its capacity need have no fears about suffering a financial loss in offering 00,000 for the race, so eager is the public tor the contest. Keenelands fourth meeting opens today with every indication that it will be the best in the history of the young association, organized to provide racing for the horse-loving Blue Grass country after the sport had been abandoned at the time-worn Kentucky Association course. Greater success is pre- . dieted for Keeneland because more and better horses are available than ever before, . and this has been the principal obstacle in the past. Despite a shortage of horses and frequent bad weather, Keeneland has madt a slight profit at each of the meetings, enabling Hal Price Headley and many of his associates among the breeders and business men of central Kentucky to bring the track near their dream of perfection. New Keeneland has the chance to make the sort of profit it requires to carry on its program of improvements in the plant and in the order of racing. With no competition for racing material from Texas, Keeneland has had to turn down many applications for stabling accommodations from horses ready to run. An open season has enabled these horses remaining in winter quarters to be well advanced in their training and many of them are or will be ready to hold their own against the invaders. Kentuckians are sophisticated in racing matters and would rather watch four or five good horses test their ability than a capacity field of platers, so with an ample quantity of better material Keeneland should enjoy a greater patronage than ever before. Interest in the meeting has been heightened by the presence of several outstanding Kentucky Derby candidates, such as Menow and Bull Lea, which are due for competition during the meeting. Their presence under silks is certain to lure enthusiasts.
