New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-04
THE AMERICAN TURF.

The prospects for the racing season OF 1857 so
far as the merits of the horses that will be en-
gagged and the importance Of the contests in which
they will meet are concerned. are OF a brilliant
SORT Not since the days when Hindoo, lroquois,
Foxhau Crickmore, Thora and other famous flyers
were fighting for fame and fortune on both sides
of the ocean, in the same year, has there been
such galaxy of stars on the American turf as
will be seen in 1889. The question of supremacy
between the Faverdale Colt. Proctor Knott Sal
vator Galen and some others remains to be de-
oded in the great three-year-old stakes. In a
single stable, that of Mr.. Withers, there will
be sufficient number of crack three-year-olds to
carry off all the principal stakes in any ordinary
year. There will be an affluence OF racing ma
terial of the highest class, while the richness Of
the prizes, the variety Of the conditions and the
number of rival racecourses in active competition
will insure the lyeliest interest in the five months
from the middle Of May to the middle of October.
In addition to the contests of the three-yeat-olds
there is sure to be splendid crop of two-year-
olds. and the number and value OF the prizes
offered for the battles of the youngsters are I'M
mensely enhanced. Then, too. it is likely that
The Bard and Hanover will return to the turf and
meet that incompatible flly Flrenz while Race
land may regain his two-year-old form and be
terror III the path OF oil corners. The Dwyer
stable will certainly not be so powerful as in the
past except in two-year-olds, as the Brooklyn
brothers intend to sell out many Of their older
horses But the all-black of BrOoklale will be
more formidable than in any year in which Mr..
Withers has raced. Mr. Ilaggns colors will be
borne only by horses of high class, Of splendid
form and great speed. The Chicago Stable is
constantly growing stronger, and the Santa Anita
will also send famous representatives to the post
Although some welknown owners have already
retired. or viii! retire. there will be no lack of
eager competitors for the glories and the money
returns of racing.
But there is an ever constant and rnenacing
danger to the prosperity OF the American turf in
the lack of harmony among the leading clubs and
the loose and careless way in which racing is
conducted on some of our best-known courses. AL
though great many races were run on the lead
ing tracks In the neighborhood of New-Yorl1 which
were suspicious and not a few which In the
plainest possible manner showed evidences of
actual fraud the Judges and the executive CON-
mittees of the racing associations almost
without exception istless and Indifferent. 1t was
not often that an owner. trainer or jockey was
called up and questioned 1t was rare thing
| indeed when any case of suspicious running was
| investigated. In one day at Clifton, within
| fortnight, as many persons were excluded from
the course as were excluded from all the principal
| courses of the East together in the whole year.
| Among the men sent away from Clifton was one
who had run his horse in the most fagrantly
| suspicious manner at Jerome Park without in
| reference. without invest CATION What is the
| American turf coming to If the American Jockey
Club is not to be more scrupulous ana rigorous in
protecting its patrons from dishonesty and actual
| thevery than such an association as that at
| Clifton isl
1t. is indispensable. in order that racing may
retain its popularity that judges of uniinching
sternness with the keenest of faculties constantly
on the alert. of undaunted courage and incessant
| vigilance, shall be put in the judges stand and
that their decisions in regard to owners trainers
| Jockeys and horses shall be sustained by the
| jockey clubs whom they represent. Otherwise,
racing must soon sink into contempt and the
gate receipts of the prominent clubs must dwindle
| away. OF course. there will always be found on
the turf some apologists for trickery and deceit.
who look upon this sport as one In which
men of low instincts. OF mean and narrow natures
and of crooked aims should be allowed to have
their own way. No abuse can be so grievous,
no dishonesty so patent no evil so serious that
these misguided men will not attempt to defend it.
1t is bad sign when people can be found to de-
fend such knavery as the pulling of the best
horse in race in order to deceive the public when
no declaration has been made as TO which of two
horses in the same stable is intended TO win, for
lxnavery il ID. and knavery of the worst Sort
It is entirely proper for owners TO win with that
one of two horses they may prefer, provided they
let the public know In advance which one they
propose to win with. But TO allow the public to
60 on and back heavily the best horse in a
stable. and then have that horse pulled In order
to let the inferior horse win. without informing
the public in advance OF the that the inferior
horse is to win. is not only trclery but is cheat
ing below the grade Of that Of q bunco-steerer or
piclxpoclet Professional confidence men and
criminals the public is forewarned against and
easily avoid but against men on the turf
who will descend TO such Infamous practices as
these the public has protection as our jockey
clubs now managed. IL makes no difference
whether or not some rascally British barons prac-
tised such knavery years ago. Racing should be
fair. honest and aboye-board. else the American