Racing Depends on the Courts, Daily Racing Form, 1908-11-06

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RACING DEPENDS ON THE COURTS. New York, November 5. What is to be the future of the turf in this section is a sublect which none of the persons chiefly interested will discuss, much Jess venture a prediction nor express an opinion. The re-election of Governor Hughes is conceded to be of momentous import, in that it reflects public senti-leent in favor of the measures he urged and forced the enactment of to suppress betting at race tracks. Sneaking of the situation a prominent turfman said: "Our only resource is the Court of Appeals. V.Te must get an opinion from that body defining the scope and, perhaps, the constitutionality of the Hart-Agnew law. If the bench of final jurisdiction in this state says the law in question is as comprehensive as Governor Hughes holds it to be. and has no liniit-tation in its application to wagers on speed contests between horses, there will be only one thing for the racing associations to do, and that is to close their gates and go out of business. "People will not attend races unless they can have more than a passive interest in them: they must, be able to make a wager that will stimulate an active interest that will be exhilarating and healthful. As for the jockey clubs, they must have gate receipts and other revenue, in order to be able to offer valuable purses and stakes. We must await a final ruling on the law and shape our course accordingly. "So far as the turf is concerned in the east, Maryland and Canada are the only sections in a position to continue the sport. Favorable laws are in the statutes of Maryland and if proper parlies get control of racing in that state, there may be a broadening of operations and a healthy development of thoroughbred interests within its borders."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1900s/drf1908110601/drf1908110601_1_5
Local Identifier: drf1908110601_1_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800