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NEW YORK TRACK CHANGES? Possibility Belmont May Abandon Straightaway — Cut Main Course. Jamaica and Aqueduct Organizations May Join Forces and Construct Entirely New Track. NEW YORK, N. Y., June 22.— It is inconceivable that racing men in New York, Maryland, New England and Delaware will spend much time bemoaning the advent of new and serious competition from New Jersey. In New York, for example, everybody interested financially in racing is taking off his coat, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to fight for passage next November 7 of an amendment that will legalize pari-mutuel betting. The greatest help proponents of pari-mutuel betting in New York have had to date, it is admitted, was the passage of the New Jersey amendment. And, while legalization of betting in New York will be the first physical manifestation of New York racing operators moves to meet New Jersey competition, plans are under way that call for many drastic changes in the racing set-up. One plan under consideration calls for the owners and operators of Jamaica and Aqueduct to abandon their present plants, join forces and build a new plant. Under consideration, also, is a plan to build a mammoth new track at Long Beach, or another in Flushing. During the construction or renovating process it is very possible that the Jamaica and Aqueduct organizations will lease Belmont Park and stage their meetings there. Belmont Park also is likely to undergo a | major operation — an operation that will eliminate the straightaway and cut down the | main course to eight or nine furlongs. If, i by chance, racing is continued at Aqueduct, that course may be altered in many respects. i The paddock end of the track will be lopped ! off, the racing strip will be reduced to eight or nine furlongs, new barns will be erected, I the grandstand and clubhouse will be rebuilt, land a new paddock and administration build- I ing will spring up. Indeed, thece changes I would not have been made in all probability I had there been no thought of pari-mutuel j betting. There can be no doubt that all New York j tracks will be modernized in every respect in the event the pari-mutuels are legalized. The betting departments will be equipped with the totalisator. Grandstands and clubhouses will be equipped with every new comfort and convenience — everything will be made attractive to the racegoers. Where the horsemen are concerned, they will be provided with new and additional quarters for their horses. Chances are, all stables will be equipped with safety devices , aimed at foiling attempts to drug or tamper with horses. I .
