, 1879-01-26
THE TURF. -

THE TURF.
NEXT SEASONS CIRCUITS.
In past years the success OF trottlns meetings
in Chicago has always been largely luterfered
with by the fact that it WAS difficult to secure
dates which did not in some way or other con-
fict with those OF the Associations forming tue
Central Circuit. Until 1877, the date for the
closing Of entries at Cleveland, Buffalo, etc, al
ways couticted with at least one day OF the
meeting at this point, so that horses entered at
botn places must either be pulled at Chicago or
thrown out OF the class in which they we're Gu
tered at the Eastern meetings, the former course
being usually adopted.
The success OF the meeting last fall opened
the eyes OF the Central Circuit managers to the
fact that when Chicago started out to have
frst-c1ass trotting meeting the result was one
which threw completely into the shade the ef~
forts in the same direction OF any other city.
Consequently there would not have been
the slightest difficulty this year in the Jockey
Club at this place taking a prominent position
in the Central Circuit, had it been so inclined.
In former years the most strenuous efforts in
this direction failed Of success as Chicago was
locked upon Us rather weak sister SO far as
tro;tine was concerned. But things have
changed. and what was formerly difficult for
this city to obtain is cast at her feet lE the
hope 1nat she will deign to accept it. But,
although this is exceedingly gratifying, the
management Of the Chicago Club have views OF
their own on the subject. Although q connec-
ton with the Central Circuit has advantages
which arc not to te despiscd, Chicago does not
propose to be incumbered By any alliances, and
will stand alone. The formation OF the Great
Western Circuit, and the dates thereof, were
given in these columns week ago. By that ar
rangcmeut the same dates were assigned to
Columbus that had already been claimed by
Chicago This would hare brought about o
clashing of interests,-somethiug which should
always be avoided, if possible. Cleveland had
already claimed the week including july 222 to
::,55. and then there was an interval OF seven
days before the time set for the meeting at Buf~
iaio. Presiden. Edwards, of the Cleveland
Club, saw solution Of the difficulty and at
once acted upon il. The result of his action
was tl.at last Thursday Col. Conley received q
dispatch from Secretary Sam Briggs, OF Cleye-
land, stating that the meeting there had
been postponed one week, and that the
dates arc NOW July 20 to Aug. ],
inclusive. This leaves the matter in as
satisfactory condition as could be desired.
Without joining either the Great Western or
Central Circuit, Chicago now stands between
them and will reap the advantages aevruing from
each. Had an alliance with either been formed,
such action would have neccssi:ated the adop-
ton Of programme conforming in all respects
to those Of the other Associations, ard this is
exactly what this city wishes to avoid. The
management OF tho Association sees the force OF
the argument so often made In TIE TRIBUNE
that the people want variety and novelty in horse
racing the same as in any other kind Of enter
1ainment, and proposes to arrange the pro
rratn.ne Of its meeting in accordance with that
idea If it appears to te the sentiment Of the
Chicago public that race OF two-1n1lc heats IN
harness would be good thing. such an eycnt
will be provided, or If saddle race is wanted it
will be furnished. Nothing definite has yet
been done in the way OF arranging the pru-
sraulme, but when it is~begun the matter of
variety and novelty will be we'll considered:
AS the dates have now been definitely fixed.
they are gireu, as follows:
jackson. June 10 to II.
East Saginaw, June II to 20
Toledo, june II to -.
Cincinnati, July to T.
Louisville, July s TO IL.
Columbus. July Is to ls.
Chicago, July % to s5.
Cleveland, july 20 to Aug. 4
Buffalo, July to l2.
ST. LOUIS MISTAKE.
The St. Louis G'o5e-Dc,nocrat recently inter-
viewed prominent Kentucky turfman who was
visiting that city with tue evident idea that he
would say something ttattering to the vanity Of
those who run the St. Louis Jockey Club; but
instead OF so doing he gave the management Of
that organization a few left-handed compli-
uacnts only, while the action of the Chicago
Jockey and Trotting Club is praised very highly
indeed. AS u matter OF general interest the
following extract from the interview is given:
=
the St. Louis Jockey Club with great fayor. 1t is
much 10 our interest rs to theirs TO see racing
established in St. Louis. The spring programme
il good one in many respects, but ycty defect1ve
in others. There have been more horses trained
during the past year than before, mud there is
no much racing throughout the country that the
sramnes, and every club in the country should
have thorough turfmsn to attend to that branch
OF its business. Chicago; appreeiatins this. sent
everything in his hauJs and gave him carte blanche
to do as he pleased The result is their affairs arc
moving swi.nminsly, and the turfmen of the coun-
demonstrate what the right man IN the right place
can do: In 1853. several wealthy bankers endeay-
oreu TO establish racing at Paseaic. n. ]. There
had been no racing to speak OF since Fashions
retary picked up in New York. 1t was failure.
Early in 1864 these gentlemen sent to Kentucky
a large salary tn take all the trouble otf their
hands. Racing wa. then dead in Kentucky, owins
TO the War. Wheatley, who had grown up with
the turf, accepted The offer, went East. md tine
track nnder his management proved such success
that his employers decided 10 establish racing at
Saratoga. They doubled Wheatley's salary. and
Saratoga Was a success. Racing 1t Jerome Park
wns next III order 1t did not conflict vita Sara
1oga. and Wheatley was gwen more money to run
Aoln associations. One OF the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
or SOUS TO manage the new course at Long
Brancn. The great mistake in the St Louis pro-
pramme is that there are too many races for all
aycd horscs The great centre Ct attraction At all
meetings is the thteeycar- -olds and the two-yeaT-
olds il their m,den efforts. The January and
Merchants stakes are both the same, and a. the
winner OF tie Gst start for the second without
being pcaaiizcd his chances to win are SO great s
10 make tue Merchants stake race comparatively
void VI interest. one-s: three quarter or two
mile dash would have added greatly 10 the merits
Of the programme. 4 horse that can only run .
mile is not half go valuable IS one that can go
greater distance There was Fred hay- an anl-
NAL that could not be beaten in mile-heat raccs
lie ran throughout Kentucky and the sonth m f:e.
ouentlY from i've to seven heats-lt was three IN
five then -snd was almost inYlncble, but couEdn 7
run LOO yards beyond q mile. Malcolm was
auo:her OF tho same kind. 1t is only in
aashes that the proper test Of a horse
can be had. The colts and titles have been given
but Iup laces.-dasges Of three .e1aEte1s Of mile.