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AGAINST NEW LEGISLATION California Breeders Assn Believes Working Agreements Best. Lowering of Fari-Mutuel Take Would Sound Death Knell of Tracks in Northern Section of State. SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 10. The California Breeders Association is against going to the legislature with any reforms in racing in the state at the present time. They thoroughly approve of the manner in which the sport is being conducted by the California Horse Racing Board and the vai-ious race tracks, and are of the opinion they can gain more concessions by working in harmony with the Horse Racing Board and the track managements than by attempting to have them written into the state laws. Charles E. Perkins, owner of the Alisal Ranch near Santa Barbara, is president of the California Breeders Association and he expressed the above views at a luncheon for some members of the California Turf Writers Association at his ranch Wednesday. "We understand that one of our members has stated that he will attempt to put certain measures through the legislature," said Mr. Perkins. "We have no intention of doing so," he continued. "The statement of a solitary member does not express the views of the California Breeders Association as a group." McCarthy proposals. Mr. Perkins undoubtedly has reference to some amendments to the racing rules that have been proposed by Neil S. McCarthy, Los Angeles attorney and polo player and member of the California Breeders Association. Mr. McCarthy -is in favor of several new rules, chief of which is a lowering of the pari-mutuel "take" for race tracks from 8 per cent to 4 per cent and the same amount to be added to purses. He also wishes to have two California-bred races each day arid advocates that at least part of the "breakage," which as a rule amounts to a trifle over 1 per cent, to be distributed among the California breeders. When the proposed McCarthy rule were first mentioned some time ago it was pointed out through these columns that such changes, particularly the one which cut the tracks percentage of the pari-mutuel handle in half, would undoubtedly sound the death knell for racing in northern California. The northern tracks have a struggle getting along with 8 per cent and the "breakage" and would be unable to operate were they cut to 4. per cent. TRACK WOULD "FOLD." Wm. P. Kyne, general manager of Bay Meadows, stated some time ago that his track would be compelled to. "fold" if the percentage was cut, while John W. Marchbank, owner of Tanforan, is reported to be of the same opinion. At present all California race tracks with the exception of Santa Anita take 8 percent. The management of Santa Anita, after two successful meetings, voluntarily reduced their "take" to 6 per cent. In the opinion of many outside horsemen, two California-bred races each day would be the cause of many eastern owners shipping to Florida in the winter instead of Santa Anita. Horses, unless they were California-bred, would be eligible for but six races a day in the West, whereas they would have seven events at which to "shoot" in the Everglades. The proposal to give a portion of the "breakage" to the breeders has considerable merit, according to the viewpoint of many. After all, there is no particular reason why this money should not be distributed. In some states there is no "breakage," as the managements pay off to the penny.
