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r: "TT n ""- JUDGES STAND By Charles Hatton NARC Opposes Increases in Tote Tax First Flight in Demoiselle, Lassie Canada Moves to Develop More Riders Breeders Stakes Vs. Homebred Races It is worth noting, in the midst of the spread of increased turf taxation, that it is opposed by Leslie Combs as president of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners. This r: "TT n is is important, important, because because the the commissions commissions are are is is important, important, because because the the commissions commissions are are directly concerned with the state revenue from racing. "I have written the chairman of each NARC group on this subject," Combs tells us. "The object-lesson of a 15 per cent take in New York has been brought to their attention. It is significant that, while the attendance is up, the play is falling off. I think that everyone in racing realizes that it is harmful to the sport and, in the final analysis, to the state, which is to say the taxpayers." The extra 4 per cent and half the breakage breakage in in Illinois Illinois brines brings the the total total take take to to ""- breakage breakage in in Illinois Illinois brines brings the the total total take take to to some 15 per cent. Its cumulative effect on racing here will be far more serious than even the 5 per cent city and county tax in New York, where the normal attendance is about twice as large. Worst of all, it is hooked up with a 25-year bond issue, whereas New York Citys is ostensibly a three-year measure. Nobody imagines that the present lush times will last 25 years. Between now and November, when the people of Illinois vote on the tax in a referendum, it should be pointed out to them that it inevitably will mean they must pay more taxes, and more directly. Aqueduct may be somewhat shocked, as we were, to read that their racing is below par, even though it already has shown three champions in Assault, Jet Pilot and First Flight. Several clubs we know are eager for just one of these, the filly First Flight, who is indeed something pretty special. She is pointing for the 25,000 Demoiselle, now a futurity, at Empire-at-Jamaica, on July 10. The Whitney filly also is in the 5,000 Lassie, at Arlington, on July 20. But the race of the summer so far as concerns First Flight is the winner-take-all Saratoga Special at the upstate park on August 17. It is a sporty affair and one her owner-breeder likes to win. The family won it with the filly Top Flight, and also with Regret, a daughter of Broomstick whom First Flight much resembles in her unusual combination of muscularity and refinement. There are many "name" horses now before the public, but there is something about this lady in light blue that captivates the crowds. r Kentucky foals are coming late this season and mention of the Whitney filly reminds that there are a total of 18 at his Kentucky place. Ivor Balding showed them to us recently. The fillies number 10 and are a chestnut by Mahmoud Tenez, chestnut by Mahmoud Bridecake, chestnut by Pilate Mushroom, chestnut by Boojum Assignation, black by Pilate Crawfish, gray by Mahmoud Dipsy Doodle, bay by Heliopolis Equidistant, chestnut by St. Germans Equilette, chestnut by Teddys Comet Escadrille and chestnut by Fighting Fox Fretwork. The colts are a bay by Fighting Fox Run o Luck, brown by Carrier Pigeon Arbitrator, bay by Teddys Comet Last Chick, chestnut by Firethorn Fuss Budget, brown by Unbreakable Equip, brown by Teddys Comet Jabot, black by Eight Thirty Top Flight and bay by Unbreakable Rattlebrain. They are a well-bred lot with plenty of that "Whitney blood" on the sires or dams side. First Flight is considered quite the best of her sex the farm has produced in a number of years but Balding thinks "The present crop of yearlings are, as a whole, hard to fault." There is incidentally an interesting "difference of opinion" that has grown out of the extreme speed shown by First Flight and Jet Pilot this season, and we would not like to say what would happen were they to meet. Canadian tracks feel the need for more, and more competent riders, just as we do this side of the border. Just how serious the situation is in The Dominion may be judged by the rather extreme measures that are taken to correct it. The ICRA, which governs the sport in Ontario, has assumed the monthly payments of the salaries of "novice apprentices." These are boys who have not ridden 10 winners. Although that seems to be the letter of the rule the ICRA goes further and pays apprentices salaries for one year when they show promise and are approved by the organization. The bug rule in Ontario is somewhat similar to that at Detroit in that a boys contract employer may claim 10 pounds, an outsider seven, until he has ridden 10 winners. Thereafter he is an apprentice and is entitled to seven pounds when riding for his developer, five on an outside mount. This pull in the weights may be claimed until the aspiring jockey has ridden a year, or has ridden as many as 40 winners. U. S. tracks in states such as California, New Jersey, Florida and Maryland have races for thoroughbreds bred and reared within those states. They are said to be run for "improvement of the breed," but we sometimes wonder whom the breeders of these states think they are kidding, for if anybody devotes much thought to the matter it is clear they are tinged with commercialism. These homebred races are altogether too restricted. It has been suggested that tracks program a rich futurity, or a r series of them, for horses "bred by their present owners." Such races would encourage all those investing in mares and stud fees, wherever their farms may be. As matters now stand, any wealthy owner can buy the pick of six or eight market breeders studs, and run them against the one good colt or filly a private stud rears. There is something vaguely unfair about it. If we create races such as the Sales Stakes, for yearlings acquired at the Spa auctions, then we should certainly give some consideration to those with investments in farms, mares and stallions.
