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Here and There on the Turf jome Town Fetes McCormick Bright Future Predicted Choice Stock Going on Market Favorable Jersey Vote Likely That the Miami Jockey Club and Hia-leah Park in particlar and xacing in general have done something for themselves in the acquisition of Sam H. McCormick as secretary-treasurer of the Florida organization was clearly demonstrated the other night at Lexington when several hundred leading citizens of that horse-minded community tendered him a testimonial dinner. McCormick left a successful business and resigned as president of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce to assume the position made vacant by the death of E. R. Burch and the dinner at which he was the honored guest clearly indicated how his friends felt about his departure. The several speakers told of the contributions he had made Lexington, but nOne touched on his future, probably due to being unfamiliar with the opportunities offered by his new position. In assuming the position of secretary of the Miami Jockey Club, his first connection with a race track other that that of a patron, McCormick is taking a job that should lead to the general managership if the general opinion of his qualifications means everything. At once, McCormick is a man of practicability, but he is also one of vision as well. Since its control has been in the hands of Joseph E. Widener, Hia-leah has exemplified vision and it should fulfill even more the dreams of its builder with McCormick occupying a principal position in the management set-up. He perhaps doesnt know so much about the operation of the race tracks, but with so many other qualifications McCormick will require only experience to be in a position to make Floridas beautiful race course much more important among the nations foremost tracks. Dispersal of the Xalapa Farm horses next j month will make available to breeders and owners one of the choicest collections of thoroughbreds in the country. Sales of the character of this one, will always have a beneficial effect on racing because of putting good stock in the hands of many people, some of whom always are newcomers or comparatively so. Edward F. Simms, having been a profound student; of breeding, he had assembled a fine group of brood mares, a fact that most likely will be brought out in their sale jnext month. In some ways the time selected for selling the Xalapa horses is not propitious, but complete dispersals attract buyers regardless of when and where they are staged. In this instance, the sale will be at a time permitting buyers to carry out their own breeding plans. Less proof of the likelihood of New Jersey racing as so much conversation is apparent day by day. Latest developments in the effort to legalize pari-mutuel wagering in New Jersey it the adoption by the state assembly of June 20 as the date when the people shall vote on the question. If the citizens express their approval, applications for the construction of tracks may be expected by the racing commission soon after and. that body, already legally constituted, :undoubtedly will make its decision at once, so that construction of the new track can be started, as. soon as possible. Several pro- Continued on ninetee7ith page. HERE AND THERE ON THE JURF Continued from second page. moters already have selected sites in territory adjacent to New York City and Atlantic City and need only approval of applications by the commission to exercise options and begin construction so that racing may be offered before the end of the year. Sponsors of New Jersey racing are very confident the wagering measure will meet the approval of a majority of voters, as a special election will be held. The vote probably will not be very heavy, which should be favorable to the" racing interests. The prospect of New Jersey racing is viewed with alarm by New York leaders of the sport, as it well might be. Strong efforts have been made during the past few years to obtain pari-mutuel wagering for the metropolitan circuit, but such is not possible before 1940. Just what will happen with New Jersey in opposition to New York, hardly can be foreseen with any clarity, although it is justly possible the present tracks can operate successfully with oral wagering because of the many friends possessed by this, system. Pari-mutuel wagering, however, will make many more persons acquainted with the sport as has been proven so well elsewhere in the country.
