1942: Horse Racing

During 1942, the horse racing season was extremely successful despite the curbs of gas-rationing and other wartime measures. In New York, $10,000,000 in taxes was collected, and the wagering total hit a record of $175,000,000. Approximately $3,000,000 was raised for service men.

Three horses stood out in the year's activities and vied for top-ranking honors — Whirlaway, Alsab, and Shut Out.

Having long since passed the $500,000 earnings mark, Whirlaway, who made the largest winnings in 1941, became the world's greatest money-winning thoroughbred.

Alsab had a larger crowd of admirers than any other horse, and was considered by many to be the best three-year-old. However, it was Shut Out who won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes over Alsab, and was the year's greatest money winner with a total of $238,972.

Count Fleet was conspicuous among the two-year-olds, setting a world mile record for two-year-olds at Belmont Park that may well stand a long time.

The famous Santa Anita Derby and Handicap were not held this year because of the war.

1941: Horse Racing

Strange as it may seem — notwithstanding the far reaching effects of World War II — the racing season of 1941 was the most successful ever known in this country. Attendance was greater — particularly in New York State and in California — than ever before, the mutuel take surprisingly larger than in 1940, the greatest to that date, and the racing itself proved, as a rule, worthy of the interest it aroused. In fact the racing year of 1941, only the second under the pari-mutuel system in New York, surpassed all preceding records established anywhere in the world according to the authority on the subject in this country.

Roughly 15,000,000 was estimated as the total attendance at all American race courses and $500,000,000 as the mutuel handle, gross for the year 1941. Of this amount, New York State handled $133,000,000 or one quarter of the grand total; the total state revenue for all America was $20,000,000, excluding Federal.

The value of the thoroughbred establishment in all its ramifications has been figured by Kentuckians, where most of them are situated, to be at least $160,000,000.

Alsab showed himself unquestionably a great two-year-old at Belmont in his six and one-half furlong match race against the high-class youngster, Requested, and later in the Champagne Stakes at one mile, which he accomplished against the best of his age in the startling time of 1:35 2/5, a record for a two-year-old, winning by eight lengths in a gallop. So easily indeed that 'old timers' were amazed when they saw the time registered on their official second watches and confirmed by the electric timer now installed at Belmont Park. Though he sold at Saratoga for $700, Alsab's pedigree when studied — sire Good Goods through Colin — runs into the best bloodlines of America, including Domino, the greatest speed producing sire of the country.

Although some give the title to Alsab, Warren Wright's Whirlaway, sired by the English Derby Winner Blenheim, must be called the 'horse of the year.' Defeated on a few occasions — most of which can be explained by his at first seemingly incurable habit of running out at the turns especially that into the homestretch — finally under Jockey Arcaro's great riding, he proved himself a champion, by winning our American Triple Crown — the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Any horse that accomplishes this most difficult feat stamps himself as a horse of superior class, even though occasionally defeated.

War Relic, the most impressive son of Man o' War owner Samuel D. Riddle has ever bred, defeated the Triple Crown Winner, Whirlaway, impressively at Narragansett Park and again at Saratoga — securing a much debated 'Camera' defeat from Blenheim's whirlwind.

One of the most encouraging features of the season was the greater number of distance races given at all courses, with Belmont Park, under the guidance of Alfred Vanderbilt, leading the van with daily distance races. These races, usually at a mile and a half, not only appealed to the public as a sporting spectacle but tended to increase the Association's and the state's revenue and improve the breed of horses.

While racing in England was in more or less of a chaotic state, all their great events, including the Derby, were run off as they were during the first World War. More than 100 protective airplanes hovered above the Newmarket Course as the Derby was run, Newmarket being easier to protect than Epsom where it was first run in 1780. In France, the Germans encouraged racing near Paris, but showed their accustomed lack of knowledge of breeding by permitting two great French sires — Mon Talisman and Clairvoyant, incidentally worth $100,000 each — to be slaughtered and eaten by their soldiers.

The Russian Cossacks Mounted Cavalry proved their value recently through devastating onslaughts on the retreating Germans in Russia, and should again prove themselves of great service in the Spring, when and if the Nazis attempt to retrieve the Russian provinces they lost.

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.

1939: Horse Racing

The year 1939 was the last year of the 'thrilling thirties' — as they phrase it in the West. It was a decade which brought into Turf history some brilliant thoroughbreds such as Equipoise, Gallant Fox, Twenty Grand, Sun Beau, Discovery, Seabiscuit, War Admiral, and Challedon, not omitting such high class performers as Jamestown, Mate, Cavalcade and Top Row. Moreover, a new era in racing should begin in 1940 in New York State, the foremost racing state in the Union, through the passage of the Pari-Mutuel Amendment in the November 1939 Election. The Amendment received a vote of about three to one in its favor.

Just as Seabiscuit and War Admiral were the standout horses of 1938, so William Woodward's Johnstown in the spring, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and W. L. Brann's Challedon in the summer and autumn, were acknowledged champions of the 1939 three-year olds. Challedon, however, must be considered the 'horse of the year,' since he not only defeated Johnstown twice, but did the same thing to the best handicap horse of the year, the Argentine-bred Kayak II, owned by Charles S. Howard, winner of the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap.

On his performances to date, Colonel E. R. Bradley's two-year old Bimelech must not only be conceded all the honors of his age but ranked as one of the greatest of the day. His owner, Col. Bradley, a discriminating judge of horse flesh, winner of four Kentucky Derbies and practically all of the great events of the country at one time or another, pronounces Bimelech, the unbeaten Futurity winner, 'the greatest horse he had ever owned.' Being by Black Toney out of La Troienne (dam of Black Helen) by Teddy, his breeding, speed, stamina, individuality and, last but not least, his action, stamp him as a truly great two-year old, and in all probability a future champion.

While racing is a sport and not a business, no sport can progress, as racing has, without financial encouragement. This is shown by the return of the various racing associations of the country, and by the success of its breeding interests. Taken from this point of view, the recent years were in most respects, the best of all time. In California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, the pari-mutuel betting brought increased revenue to the various states and racing associations. Where the revenue did not increase, it was due to local courses, such as in Massachusetts, where the racing days were curtailed. Another factor was that, although spring meetings had shown a healthy increase, premonitory rumblings of war abroad decreased autumn attendances in the East.

The Saratoga Yearling Sales are the best index of the prosperity of the American Turf. An increased number of yearlings were disposed of and the total money paid was somewhat higher than last year — notwithstanding the fact that European War clouds were becoming more ominous each day. A most encouraging feature to American breeders was the purchase of 20 yearlings by English buyers for importation abroad, Lord Carnavon's similar experiment in 1938 having proved highly successful. Another remarkable feature of the Sales was the Hancock sale, at which 12 yearlings by Blenheim II, winner of the 1930 English Derby, were sold for $136,596. This amount is more than half the purchase price of Blenheim II from the Aga Khan. None of Blenheim's get had ever raced in this country.

To those having the best interests of the American Turf at heart, the tendency towards longer distance races and increased purses was most encouraging. More than one third of the races run in New York State alone in 1939 were at a mile and over. In every state where racing is conducted, each year more money is being distributed to the horsemen. In New York State, purses have increased over $1,000,000 in the past six years.

The year 1939 in New York State, where for the past six years racing administration has steadily improved, inaugurated a new and highly important era. Up until last Election Day, when the Pari-Mutuel system was voted in by the people, New York was the only state in the Union to race under the old book-making system.

The proposed Enabling Law, as now drawn, might well be called the disabling Law — as far as racing is concerned in New York. However, it is hoped that the State Legislature will pass a compromise measure that will be, as the State Racing Commission phrases it, 'intelligent, practical, far-seeing and just.'

The Handicap crown must be allotted to Charles S. Howard's Kayak II, who won the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap but lost to Challedon in the Pimlico Special. This event Alfred Vanderbilt did not call the Pimlico Classic, as Arlington Park of Chicago rather incongruously did when it named its leading event 'Classic' before it had been run. However, with the Seabiscuit — War Admiral and Challedon — Kayak II events the Pimlico Special has become a 'Classic' so to speak.

Abroad, the English Derby winner, Blue Peter, won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, and Pharis II captured the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamps, Paris. Both the champions of their respective countries — England and France — both by full brothers Fairway and Pharos, were acknowledged as great in the true sense of the word by all well-informed foreign turfmen. Had not the outbreak of war in September necessitated the cancellation of the race, their meeting in the English St. Leger, scheduled for Sept. 5, would have been an historic event. However, up to the declaration of war. England had a most successful racing season. A surprise feature was the fine showing of Lord Carnavon's half dozen American-bred two-year olds, purchased at the Saratoga Yearling Sales in 1938.

1938: Horse Racing

Strangely enough, England furnished the greatest encouragement to one interested in the welfare of the American Turf and breeding, through the victories in that greatest of thoroughbred countries, of two American-bred and owned equine stars. The victory of Battleship, the well-named son of America's greatest race horse and stallion, Man o' War, in the Grand National Steeplechase, over the most difficult four and a half mile course in the world, came as a startling surprise. Then William Woodward's capture with Flares, by Gallant Fox (his own breeding), of the Ascot Gold Cup at two and a half miles, the greatest test of stamina, and, barring only the Derby, the most coveted event of the season, capped the climax to a great American year abroad. Moreover, the stamina of the American thoroughbred — not his speed — has always been underrated abroad and these two great performances and the fact that the Derby was won by a French-bred horse, Bois Roussel, from the same dam (Plucky Liege) as the sire of Gallant Fox, must surprise the English and make Americans rejoice.

William Woodward stands a great chance of finally winning the English Derby in 1939 with Foxborough II (full brother to Gallant Fox) which won the Middle Park Plate, bringing him the position of favorite for the blue ribbon of the Turf.

Owing to the success of American-bred horses in England, notwithstanding their ineligibility to the English Stud Book, American-bred yearlings were purchased by Lord Carnarvon and other English breeders at Saratoga last year.

In the United States sensational feature of the year was the War Admiral-Seabiscuit match race at one mile and an eighth at Pimlico, which reflected glory upon all concerned — Alfred G. Vanderbilt, its young and energetic promoter, Samuel D. Riddle, owner of War Admiral and Charles S. Howard, owner of Seabiscuit. Possibly the one exception was Kurtsinger, War Admiral's jockey, whom Mr. Riddle considered largely responsible for the advantage gained at the start by Woolf on Seabiscuit, an opinion not shared by many equally clever horsemen, especially Californians and those closest to the Howard stable, who knew of Seabiscuit's marvelous early speed (frequent half miles in less than 46 seconds). The easy victory of Seabiscuit completely reversed the judgment of the public and the supposed wise men of the East, War Admiral going to the post at 4 to 1 on, Seabiscuit about 2 to 1 against. Never were the 'uncertainties of the Turf' better illustrated, though the entire season both abroad and in this country among the two- and three-year-olds showed a similar devastating state of affairs. Both here and in England last year two- and three-year-olds were beating each other too frequently to give great promise for the future. However, there were here two two-year-olds that may prove of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes caliber — El Chico, unbeaten in all his seven starts, and Porter's Mite, Futurity winner and a world's record breaker at six and one half furlongs in 1:14 2/5, a remarkable performance for a juvenile crack.

Among other items of interest during 1938 Stagehand occupied the center of the stage. His winnings, including the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap and $50,000 Derby, amounted to $189,710, which placed him at the head of the money winning horses of the year; his owner, Col. Maxwell Howard, at the head of the money winning owners, with $226,495; his sire. Sickle, as the leading money winning stallion of 1938 with $327,822, and, last but by no means least, his clever trainer, Earl Sande, the former great and honorable jockey, at the head of his profession as trainer.

Trotting.

In a brief revue of the chief feature of the racing of 1938, the great event of the trotting world, the Hambletonian Stake, value $37,962.37, must properly be included. Under the able management of William H. Cane and E. Roland Harriman, this Stake has become to the trotting public what the Belmont Stakes means to the thoroughbred racing enthusiasts and drew an unprecedented attendance to Goshen in August 1938. It was won in two straight heats, each by an open length, in 2:02  and 2:02 — by McLin, bay colt by Mr. McElwyn-Ethelinda. McLin upset all previous precedents in connection with this famous Stake, as he was expertly handled and ridden by Henry H. Thomas; the owner was Hanover Shoe Farms, who won the same event in 1937 with Shirley Hanover. He is sired by Mr. McElwyn also sire of the 1937 winner, the only difference being that, unlike the 1937 winner, he was not bred by Hanover Shoe Farms but was purchased by them only a week before the race from William H. Cane for $20,000 with an additional $5,000 to be paid if he won the Hambletonian.

On the whole racing has begun to attain a status of general stability heretofore unknown in this country, and 1938 has been one of the most encouraging in its history from the point of view of sport, general public esteem, integrity, breeding and quality of the thoroughbred.