view raw text
BETWEEN RACES % *m -ore HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., June 8. — David Novick, the economist-breeder, is en route east for an extended tour of Kentucky and Virginia bloodstock farms in search of more material to contribute to the research project he has under way on inbreeding, or, as some might prefer it, line breeding. "The study of inbreeding is a most intriguing one," says Novick. "In all the world, there are only a few opportunities to breed toward a desired end where the pay-off is accomplished through competitive performance. Most other breeding is for quantity, quality, or conformation. But the measuring yardstick of performance is reserved to thoroughbreds, standard breds, quarter horses, speed dogs greyhounds, fighting chickens, pit dogs, and, once upon a time in Europe, fighting stallions. Perhaps the greatest degree of success in inbreeding has been with gamecocks, which represent the quintescence of doubling up the blood. Some proof of what inbreeding and outcrossing will do has been demonstrated by scientific investigation. One law which thoughtful breeders consider is that proved by professors East and Jones, inbreeding authorities who worked out certain genetics with corn, namely, that the best results are obtained by inbreeding almost or to the point of degeneracy, then making a major out-cross. They also proved that the first major outcross is invariably an improvement upon both ancestors, but the outcross does not tend to reproduce its superior or even its own equal. It was upon this study that the corn yield per acre in the United States was tripled. AAA "Inbreeding of cattle, both dairy and beef, has had *■ - timilar results, bufcas I1 said before," continued Novick, Dave Novick Explains East, Jones Genetics Experiments With Corn Used as Comparison Thoroughbred Outcross on Ardb Inbreeding Caliente Building Extension to Clubhouse "the ultimate goal was weight. It is the competitive, or intangible factor, which enters into the inbreeding of thoroughbreds and which makes the study so fascinating. It is interesting to note that the thoroughbred itself represents a major outcross on what my research has led me to believe was a culling, or inferior strain of a breed, the Arab. Yet the outcross that was to produce the thoroughbred has proven far superior to the Arab in performance. You may wonder why there have been so few gray thoroughbreds in comparison to bays and chestnuts. The Arab was a desert horse, and the grays blended into the color scheme of the desert to make a" camouflage. The Arabians simply did not sell their best stock to the English, keeping their best, the grays. The genetic laws of East and Jones, as demonstrated in more than 100 generations of corn have many striking parallels in horses,, especially the thoroughbred. Their studies began in 1890 at the University of Illinois, and were transferred to Harvard in 1916. Their findings were published in 1928. Their treatise is almost required reading to a basic understanding of what a few breeders in the world, among them Federico Tesio of Italy, are endeavoring to accomplish. It may comeas a surprise to many who do not like inbreeding to discover that the doubling up of weaknesses can be as desirable as the doubling up of strong points. It is usually the weaknesses which make the line fine and at last provides the set-up for the per- feet outcross, or the champion. It is only the intangible of temperament, or the nervous system of the horse, certainly a factor in thoroughbred competition, which makes inbreeding in thoroughbreds, or other competitive animals as noted, an inexact science. Inbreeding has attained its goal almost without exception in other fields when it has been given a fair chance." A A- A A major upswing in business at Caliente has decreed an enlargement of the facilities at the border course, hence an addition to the clubhouse is now under construction. There are no governmental building restrictions in Mexico, and the improvements have the blessing Of the authorities. When the new buildings are completed early in August, the Caliente club will have 20,000 square feet of additional space for patrons, and some 3,600 additional fans can be accommodated. Terrace dining facilities for 600 are included in the new set-up, which is in effect a wing of the present clubhouse. When the addition is completed, Caliente will be one of the few tracks in the nation with as many seats in the clubhouse as in the grandstand. AAA Last fall, a modernization program of the grandstand was. completed, and the American "tote" installed. At the time the "tote" went into operation, there was some speculation as to whether or not it would kill the book betting, which still prevails at Caliente, thus permitting a fan to shop around between either "tote" or the various books. General manager Walter C. Marty said at the time that if the books did not survive, they would be allowed to die a natural death. He did predict that the "tote" would bring a 40 per cent increase in pari-mutue1 - Continued on Page Thirtv-Fivz BETWEEN RACES I By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Four wagering, said increase to be achieved within four months. Actually, the "tote" wagering is up 38 per cent as of last Sunday. The competing books, however, did not die, and their turnover also has shown a healthy increase. We dare say that in view of what has transpired, they never will. The open ring, the only one on the continent, is a colorful show and the fact that the fan can shop for price, as in England, seems to be most intriguing. Caliente, it might be added, has taken a leading role in the improvement of the City of Tijuana and its development as a resort center. Marty and his chief aide, Johnny Alessio, are among the sponsors of the new 18-hole golf course adjacent to the track, nine holes of which are completed. This course will offer a 0,000 tournament next year, the money to be paid in gold coins pesos . Caliente also has taken an active part in road construction and hospital maintenance. AAA . Horses and People: Be Fleet, a 3,500 acquisition at the Keeneland Sales, has turned out a rare bargain, even though the son of Count Fleet did not hit his real stride until early in his four-year-old form. It develops that a splint kept him on the sidelines during much of his two-year-old form, but once that ailment was cured, he was transformed from a claiming sprinter into a stakes winner of 05,975 and is one of the ranking choices for the 00,000 guaranteed Hollywood Gold Cup. His dam, Bala Ormont, was a really good race horse, and the Count Fleets seemingly can do no wrong. . .Dr. Frank Porter Miller, breeder of the Kentucky Derby winner, Count Turf, will hold a prevue of his yearling stock, which he is dividing about equally between the California and Saratoga Sales. The yearlings currently are romping at his Riverside pastures and soaking up sunshine in line with the doctors theories that while Kentucky may be the best place to breed them, California is the best place to raise them. Incidentally, the good doctor is an advocate of inbreeding as proven out with his really extensive .experience with dogs. The man has bred 28 champion canines of different breeds, all champions being results of "doubling up" of the blood.
