26 



CLASS B- HORSES. 



Section III — Speed. 



GEO. H. MADDEN, SuperinUncUnt . 



To the State Hoard of Agriculture. 



Gkntlkmkn— The showinfj made by the speed department for the fair of 

 11)01 vHU but be satisfactory on the whole. The work of pecurirnr entries is 

 suk)ject to many thitjfjs that cannot be foreseen. Hence it is that the same 

 work one year may not produce the .'satisfactory results <>f another year. 

 When circumstances are favorable a reasonable amount of energetic effort 

 will accomplish a great deal. When they are unfavorable the most diligent 

 effort will not overcome all the obstacles. 



The racing in I'JOl, was by no means commonplace, though it certainly did 

 not reach the high plane of former years. That was due entirely to circum- 

 stances beyond human control. But the speed department retains its popu- 

 larity and the fact that we have excellent accommodations for horses and 

 horsemen, coupled with fair treatment and prompt payment of purses in full, 

 gives us a pre.stige that is worth a great many dollars. 



Our track when in proper condition is fast and safe and is thoroughly 

 equipped. As long as it is kept so we will have no difficulty in pleasing horse- 

 men. 



It may be best however, in this connection, to lay before the board the fact 

 that not a few of those who should be our regular patrons have withheld their 

 entries for the reason that they are charged rent for stalls during the races. 

 They urge and not without some cause, that they are taxct enough in the 

 way of 6ve per cent entry fee, with an additional five per cent from money 

 winners, and that no further contributions should be exacted. They also 

 have on their side of the argument the fact that stall rent has been abolished 

 at all other mile tracks. 



How many patrons we have lost on account of this charge, there is no way 

 of t»'llirig without going into a vast amount of laborious research. But I am 

 certain tliut we have lost something, perhaps enough to offset the income re- 

 ceived from stall rents during fair week. The matter is laid before you for 

 consideration and should be given a fair hearing. It may be that we are 

 pursuing a penny-wise, pound-foolish policy. If we are we want to alter our 

 plans. 



For your guidance in considering this matter I submit the following tabl» 

 showing the stall rent collections by years. 



•1896 S600 00 



•1896 600 00 



1897 800 00 



1888 691 OQ 



1899 $577 00 



1901 624 00 



Total W.692 00 



* Approximated. 



Our track is not now in the condition that its merits and reputation justify. 

 The members of the board not familiar with such matters will understand the 

 situation when it is explained to them that in the course of time eyer3' race 

 track, no matter how good, will wash until the sojl that should maintain the 

 grade is carried to the inside fence and much of it lost. Our track at the 

 turn, and clear around both of them, is at this time saucer shaped, whereas it 

 should piesent a perfectly even surface with the original grade maintained 

 intact. In its present condition it is hardly suited for working trotters and 

 pacers and is more or less dangerous to horses that are asked to show much 

 speed over it, unless driven in what is best kuown as the middle of the course, 



