RACING IN AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 15

RACING IN AMERICA

WET WEATHER INNOVATION

The report of the New York State Racing Commission for last season discloses the fact that the racecourses operating under Jockey Club rules enjoyed a slightly more prosperous year than in 1934.

A comparison with 1934 proves that while the number of racing days (151) were the same the attendance for 1935 was 1,036,697, as against 929;536 for the previous year; and the gross receipts for 1935 were 2,695,029 dollars, as against 2,636,372.50 dollars for a year earlier. The purse and stake distribution amounted to 1,352,455 dollars, as against 1,283,670 dollars in 1934, and the taxes paid to the State of New York for 1935 totalled 312,306.61 dollars, as against 265,102.75 dollars for the previous year. The correspondent of "Hour and Hound" says: "While the improvement was nothing to enthuse over, it was at least an improvement." The bane of winter racing has always been unseasonable weather, resulting in muddy courses. The track at Bay Meadows, near San Francisco, was particularly unfortunate in this respect during the winter of 1934-1935. In an effort to overcome this, the promoter, Mr. Kyne, hearkened to the claim of a chemist (Mr. J. W. Jones) that he could treat the racing strip in such a manner that it would be impervious to rainfall and continue fast, irrespective of the elements. He was given carte blanche during the latest meeting, and so far has had unparalleled success.

On December 3 a rainstorm had left pools of water in front of the grandstand, but the racing strip, due to the treatment of Mr. Jones, remained fast, and during the entire day there were only four withdrawals. Mr. Jones, naturally, is keeping his formula a profound secret.