1940: Horse Racing

The past year of Racing has been full of complications — mostly favorable — but in some cases disturbing in their future aspects.

The pari-mutuel system of betting already in use in fifteen states in this country was finally legalized in New York State and proved a great success. More than $100,000,000 was handled by the pari-mutuel system ($400,000,000 being bet throughout the country), showing the general public interest in the sport. Roughly $6,000,000 was turned into the State Treasury as taxes and an almost similar amount into the coffers of the various racing associations. This meant increased stakes and greatly increased purses for owners, increased accommodations for the benefit and comfort of the public, and attendances increased by fully 25 per cent. The latter increase can scarcely be credited with an improvement in the class of the attendance. On the contrary, the new public was composed largely of the baseball and fight type, and while they did not throw any bottles at the contestants boos and hisses were more frequently heard than ever before when public choices failed to run up to expectations.

Racing was legalized in New Jersey — a probably strong but not dangerous competitor of New York. California will see a new course near San Francisco, when the elements and its fantastic racing board permit the opening. Strangely enough, Louisiana legalized racing last year under the pari-mutuel system and as a curious consequence the only course in the state, at New Orleans, closed its gates, which would seem to indicate that the sport as conducted there could not bear too close inspection or supervision.

Usually there are one or possibly two or three outstanding thoroughbreds each year. To Seabiscuit as the largest American Turf winner, capping the climax by winning the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap after twice running second in previous years, must be accorded the honor of premier horse of the year. Opinions differ as to who, if any, should be classed with him, but in the writer's judgment Challedon by Imp. Challenger 2nd out of Laura Gal, Mioland by Imp. Mio d'Arezzo out of Iolanda, Fenelon by Imp. Sir Gallahad 3rd out of Imp. Filante, and Bimelech by Black Toney out of Imp. La Troienne, should, next to Seabiscuit, rank in the order named.

A most heartening feature of the past season was an increased number of distance races and the public's keen interest in them, as shown by the heavy betting on these events as compared with short distance races. It is to be hoped that more of these distance races be given as stakes instead of handicaps — a consummation to be wished for the uplift of the Turf, though difficult to accomplish in a short period of time. In this connection Mr. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, President of the Westchester Racing Association, established a fine precedent by inaugurating the $50,000 added New York Handicap at Belmont Park at two miles and a quarter while that association also has on its fall program two stakes; one the Lawrence Realization at one mile and five furlongs, the other the Jockey Club Gold Cup at two miles.

The barometer of the sport from a breeding point of view is the Saratoga Yearling Sales, which while showing a slight decrease in the average, held up to a figure that must be considered as satisfactory to breeders — $1,763 per yearling. The most successful stallions for the year showed Imp. Sir Gallahad 3rd, who won a total of $305,610; in second place was Chance Sun with a total of $291,582; third Imp. Bull Dog with $354,685; fourth Imp. Challenger 2nd with $177,807, and fifth Hard Tack with $174,710.

After the beginning of the present war, French racing ceased in 1939 until the close of 1940 when the Germans permitted its re-establishment on a small scale after having looted the best thoroughbred blood in France. England, however, true to its sporting traditions ran off a War Derby, the Oaks, 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, and the St. Leger. Racing was carried on when and where possible. The Derby winner was Pont I'Eveque; the Oaks, Godiva; 1,000 Guineas, Godiva; 2,000 Guineas, Djebel; the St. Leger, Turkhan.