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BETWEEN RACES , * 0SCAK 0TIS ARCADIA, Calif., June 6.— The debut of Irish rider Nicholas Bren-nan- occasioned more excitement here than most anything that has happened so far this meeting. When Brennan, who has been in America less than a month, rode his first mount here late last week, he was the cynosure of all eyes, to coin a cynosure eyes, a phrase, and his performance was tabbed by countless binoculars to the exclusion of most every other phase r of the dash. Newsmen wasted little time in questioning Brennan after his debut, for the reason that while he rode a bit high in the saddle, as judged by American standards, all hands agreed the boy could really horseback. It might be explained that few foreign riders have made good on American soil and, among that minority which has, the largest group has hailed from South America, or Mexico. Reinsmen from the Continent have never impressed to any great extent, one writer, at the time, describing the performance of the great Steve Donoghue with Papyrus as "a gentleman, yet looking like a park policeman." Many of the great riders of Europe have studiously avoided American encounters despite the prospect of comparatively huge monetary earnings. Such as Togo Johnstone, Wragg and Gordon Richards have never considered it expedient or desirable to compete on American tracks. Conversely, Americans usually did right well on the Continent and in England. To name a few, Tod Sloan, the Reiff boys, Irish Pilot Popular From Start With Fans Brennan Handles Whip Like A Cutlass N. W. Church Sales Indicates Strong Market Legislative Situation Worries California Turf Frankie Keogh, Guy Garner, Eddie Dugan, Everett Haynes, George Archibald and Danny Maher. AAA Brennan paid high tribute to the American starting gate. "I like it," he commented. "The gate affords protection to horse and rider, although as yet I find it a trifle strange." Brennan added that Irish horses, at least early in their American racing careers and until they get accustomed to it, must be at a disadvantage on the dirt tracks here because of the flying grit. He ought to know. He forgot to pull his goggles down in his second effort and the result was he came back to the stand quite red-eyed. Brennan, incidentally, is one of the strongest whip riders ever to be seen in action in the West. He handles the baton like a cutlass and switches it from hand to hand. Even the veteran Jack Westrope, who can "cut a horse in two" if he bears down, was impressed by the Brennan strength. Master Brennan has a two-year contract with Rex Ellsworth, but has already given intention that he will stay. He is filing for his first citizenship papers and is sending for his wife and infant child as soon as he gets settled a bit more. Brennan considers himself quite lucky to be in America. He was supposed to arrive and report to Ellsworth last September. Red tape delayed said arrival for some eight months. AAA A flurry of "dispersals" has made for a note of pessimism in the turf industry in the West, coupled with an unsettled situation in the state legislature at Sacramento. But if sales to date may be taken as a criterion, the market weakness may be "more talk" than actuality. For instance, the dispersal of the Norman W. Church horses has been proceeding at a rapid pace, and excellent, albeit, not sensational prices, have been forthcoming. The Church stock has been selling "dollar for dollar" or worth the money. The Church breeding stock sees only three more mares offered — Toro Nancy, by Toro; Beau Maid, by Beau Pere, and Traditional, by Bull Lea. Edward Lasker of Beverly Hills recently took Boswell Lady for 0,000, and Olin Gentry, Blenheim Girl for 1,000. Both these latter mares are at Tollie Youngs place in Kentucky. Here at Santa Anita, the racing stable is rapidly disappearing, the most important transaction last week being the acquisition of May Reward by Maurice J. OLeary, of New Jersey, for a price reported in excess of 0,000. The few yet to be sold include the 5,000 yearling Speculation, stakes-winning half-brother to Revoked and Alabama, and deemed to be an excellent sire prospect; Oration, the good broodmare prospect Cosmopolite, Safe Reward, another stakes winner, plus an assortment of two-year-olds, including Should Reward, Continued from Page Thirty-Nine BETWEEN RACES I By.OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty a daughter of Reaping Reward from the Sir Gallahad m. mare, Gallahad Maid; Should Be, a colt by Alibhai from the Stimulus mare Northway Lady, and Dee-See-Six, a colt by Whirlaway from the Toro mare, Toro Nancy. _____ AAA Fortunately, the legislative situation cannot last forever, and the matter will be decided, either sanely or destructively, in Sacramento before many more weeks pass. A vitally important committee meeting of the senate will be held tomorrow morning, to consider the proposal to add additional taxes on Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, which would impose more than ,000,000 in extra state cut from pari-mutuel handles of the two tracks, based on last years business. Without taking any sides in the matter, or offering any editorial comment, it can be stated that opponents of a measure now pending before the legislature, which would in effect make it mandatory for the racing commission to license a third and possibly a fourth or fifth track in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, have unleashed some heavy artillery against the measure. The powerful and representative California Breeders Association has taken the lead in this battle and their stand has been bolstered by citizens of many civic groups. It can be stated with authority that Hollywood Park is in no position to make any plans for rebuilding until the tax situation is clarified. AAA One local sports editor has gone so far as to predict that there is a distinct possibility the track will never be rebuilt. The taxes, as proposed in Sacramento, would have made Hollywood Park operate at a net loss of 00,000 last year when business was good, if the standard of purses, stakes, and public service were maintained. Hollywood would be faced with making an investment of about 0,000,000 to reproduce its burned down structure, an investment only partially covered by insurance, from all reports, although management has made no formal statement as to the extent of insurance coverage. Whether such an investment would be justified under a tax set-up which gives the state just about everything and management nothing, is a question only the shareholders can decide. The shareholders might have one alternative, i. e., the rebuilding of Hollywood on a far more modest scaling and the carding of "bush style" sport. Whether this would be desirable or not is a question that would appear to answer itself. In any event, to say that turf managements are worried throughout California would be putting it mildly.
