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! JUDGES STAND By Charles Hatton A New Era in Race Track Business N. Y. Tracks in Strong Position Avoid Conflicts in Stakes Dates Stir Up Looms Post Derby Choice LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 24. Even those of us who like to insist that racing, and not betting, is the thing, must confess that Jamaicas patronage last week- end was infinitely more remarkable than the Wood. A Count Fleet, j for instance, might have captured either division by a couple of light-years. He rather spoiled us. Despite the architectural inadequacies of the Metropolitan Jockey Club stand, which is cut up like a rabbit warren and is conducive to cabin fever, the crowd managed to shove a new all-time record of ,176,553 through the "tote" windows. Operator 6 7-8 cannot help wondering how much Jamaica might have handled were it equipped with his latest invention — a trapdoor at the exit so that any one who at-temps to leave before the last race falls through and comes up in front of a "tote window." At "Jamaica, Narragansett, Pim-lico, Bay Meadows and Keeneland a total of 111,726 turf enthusiasts wagered ,542,-011 on 40 races during the afternoon Saturday. On the previous week-end 96,2,46 had speculated ,202,389, which was considered pretty staggering. While the Wood crowd was amusing itself with the Munns fascinating little gadget, Narragansett experienced its third million-dollar day, and Keeneland entertained its largest crowd — 15,100 — who sent 75,299 through the antiquated iron men, a record for the club. This all shows the turfs preeminence in the sphere of wartime sports, though protagonists of other games are fond of saying it merely reflects inflation. Whether racings present vogue continues after the war depends upon its conduct. And before dille-tante racegoers conceive some notion that the sums quoted here are so much "velvet" for the tracks we had better add that the state and federal coffers collect the bulk of the net proceeds. It is appalling to estimate the sum Belmont may handle on its combined Suburban-Decoration Day program, a date last year generously devoted to War Relief. The only track likely to approach those on Long Island this season is Hollywood Park, which caters to the opulent Los Angeles area. With its bumper crop of customers. New York can well afford to split 5,000 events such as the Wood. The majority of the better entertainers make their headquarters on Long Island. Ample opportunities are afforded them through the lavish stakes program and the policy of splitting these events when it seems indicated. The intelligent thing is for tracks to avoid conflicts in stakes dates. Those outside New York may offer sufficiently attractive prizes to induce the "name" horses to commute. And that is precisely what most of them are trying to achieve in order to develop the quality of the sport in their own bailiwicks. Additionally, tracks in the Midlands and in New England and Maryland annually develop a number of entertainers that are popular with their customers. By the way, we cannot recall when a three-year-old handicap has been enriched with 0,000 as the Empire City is this season. There is talk another 5,000 three -year-old stake will be added to the New York agenda. Mrs. Payne Whitneys Stir Up stands out in bas relief as the probable post-time favorite for the Kentucky Derby, following his victory in the more exacting end of the dual Wood Memorial. We have a secret formula for selecting the Derby winner, one with which we have often , disagreed, sometimes regrettably. This method arbitrarily dismisses Stir Up and highly recommends Lucky Draw. It now has eliminated all but seven eligibles: Pukka Gin. Lucky Draw, Challenge Me, Director J. E., Olympic Zenith, Skytracer and Hoodoo. If jockey Eddie Arcaro rides the Derby winner he will, incidentally, have tied Earl Sande and Isaac Murphy, each credited with three firsts in the stake. Pro and Con — Churchill Downs racing surface is among the safest anywhere. We have not knock on wood seen a horse come back lame here thus far this spring. . . . Jerry McNerney of the Courier-Journal narrates that the fair owner of Kope Kona was deploring the vulgar Hollywood version of the Hawaiian hula the other morning when it was suggested she give an interpretation of the original. "Watch the hands," she obliged, moving them sinuously. She then began to dance and, shucks, everybody forgot to watch the hands.
