The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-09-21
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Foul DRIVING

If there is one rule in the trotting code which
should be rigidly enforced. says the Breeder and
SpOrtsmGR, it is that which relates to foul dri-
wing The term is well applied, as unfair adj
vantages are anything but spOrtsmanlike, dis
gushing those who are the chief patrons of the
sports ofthe track. The only escape from the
evils which are sure to follow if unchecked, is
for the judges to enforce, with memorable firm
ness, the penalties for every breach. When the
Offense is so palpable that there cannot he
douht of the intention Of the guilty party, the
extreme penalty must he awarded. The most
fragrant eases those when the perpetrator
commits the foul ON purpose to assist Others, not
caring for the slight punishment he receives, so
long as he accomplish the task he has under
taken. He carries out the ncfarious compact,
being well aware that the crime will be cOndOn-
Ell in such majority of instances that the risk
is small: and if he be given the last place, his
horse distanced, he chuckles Overthe success and
plumes himself on the smartness he has shown.
Were he conscious that he stood equal chance
of being heavily fined, suspended expelled,
there would he more hesitaney in undertaking
the job: and an example or two, will surely put
a stop to the practice.
All the frequcnters of the tracks are aware
there are a variety of misl-efs which are terlurd
fouls The particular and specific offence
which We desire To call attention to now is +
the Kind thar often occurs and which will re-
1uire heroic treatment 10 overcome, One horse
trnts steadily, and another keeps in close COM
pauy by ininiging in few breaks, which are
NOT very far outside of the rule. But on the back
stretch the trot il fnrsaken. and part ALLY screen
ell 10y being hidden from the judges, lie i dashed
into a run, thOdgh Skifully hand, d, SO as to
keep the tTotter up TO the fastest pace without
showing i'll front. Other runs are given during
the heat and W hen he lead is obtained, there is
swinging To the right and left in order to retard
the one behind When So close to the score that
the judges cannot fail to take rec0gnIzance the
trOt is resumed, and. between tTottIng and run
ming, the winner is forced TO open n gap on all
the others. The winning has entaed, however
exertiOn which would not have been necessary
if the other had trOttcd, and the one '.hard
heat has more potent effect than two, OF even
three would ii triiie slower With many hOrs-
cs, the excitement following horse gallupiu.
by their side is far greater than when the contes-
tant trots. Even a steady run is not 50 trying
to them when there is a change from the ran
to the gallop. a succession of leaps, which rests
though there he no absolute gain, disc0uragnE
the siRunchest, and completely deuuralizug
those which have soft sp0ss In their composition.
There may be some excuse for driver who in
his eagerness TO win, exceeds the latitude which
the laws allow; but when the object is merely to
defeat To aid another; when be Is merely help
er, a hired tool to assist in wearing out dread
ed competitor, there must he no tempOrizing. IL
fines will not remedy, try suspension. Ii ostra-
cism for limited period does not afford rene
dy, let the sentence he for life Should the cinds
prove useless try what virtue there is in stones