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REFLECTIONS By nelson dunstan BELMONT PARK, Elmont, L. L, N. Y., June 10. One of racings greatest problems is "date wars." They have occurred time and time again, for the sport has become big. During the past winter we heard rumors that there would be trouble in Florida, that the lawmakers of that state were to be involved before the 1954 season opened. As usual, politics was injecting itself into the racing situation and it was openly stated that if acting governor Charles E. Johns were elected it would mean a rotation of dates in the Sunshine State. A change of dates, in this writers opinion, would have been a bad thing for Florida, and we have said so. But as matters turned out the election went to Senator Leroy Collins, and that ended, for the time being at least, any changes in the dates assigned Tropical, Hialeah and Gulfstream Parks. It was nip and tuck until the votes were counted. This writer is of the opinion that a continuation of the present schedule is best for everyone concerned, including the State of Florida. Date wars create only bitterness and that is never good for horse racing. Florida is a fine racing state and politics should be kept out of the operation of the tracks. AAA For a long time there has been talk that Jimmy Donn of Gulfstream was seeking a change in the Florida dates. He has denied this and a year ago wrote this writer to say: "I am not going to Tallahassee, but I am going Election Stops Florida Date War Johns Might Have Changed Schedule Why Upset a Successful Operation? Jimmy Donn Has Done Quite All Right fishing." We thought at the time that was the end of the conflict at the winter track. John Clark, president of Hialeah, has always been conservative when referring to Florida dates, but it is obvious that his track would be greatly handicapped if there was a change in the setup. There would also be a very material change in the stake schedule, and, in the long run, it would be detrimental to the state and the three Miami tracks involved. Writing in the Miami Herald, John McDermott says: "Had Johns been nominated it is almost a certainty that Gulfstream Park would have had a better break to the dismay of Hialeah and Tropical Park." If that, is true, it is a good thing for racing that Johns was defeated. There is no point we can see in changing what has been a very good setup for horse racing and also for the state. AAA" The Florida situation has been a troublesome one for many years because of politics. McDermott also -wrote: "Had Johns been elected governor, Gulfstream would have been in a position to write its own ticket on the date issue. With his power as governor it is virtually certain that Johns could have exerted sufficient influence to force through the Senate and House a bill rotating track dates." Why Florida or any other state would want to change a schedule that has been satisfactory to everyone is something this writer fails to see. Donn and Horace "Wade run a very fine track at Gulfstream and we have always been friendly with them and we hope the relationship will continue. But we cannot and do not subscribe to any change in the Florida setup as it stands today. Whether Collins or Johns was the governor does not change our position in the matter, for we do not know either man, but we do know Florida racing and we know it is best off as it stands today. It has made a fine contribution to winter racing, and we must say that the Florida lawmakers have been smart in working out the schedule as it now exists. AAA In his article McDermott continued: "The biggest argument against the rotation is that the horse tracks now represent the goose laying the golden egg for Florida. Therefore, why gamble on changing geese?" That is all very well, whether it be Florida or any other state, but we are all tired of hearing about the golden goose. It is not a pretty prospect, racing has been a political football for too many years. It should stand on its own feet in Florida and every other state, and its representatives should speak up in its defense. Florida has been a fine state for racing in that it Shares the profits with all counties and for good purposes, but it should be given a fair shake without political interference. Rotation of dates would be about the worst mistake it could make.
