New-York tribune., 1895-09-20
CHAT AMONG TURFMEN
HOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT RACING
AFFAIRS

There many persons at Gravesend yesterday
who solemnly pledged themselves TO abstain from
visiting a racetrack until the entire system OF
racing is subjected TO q radical change. Nobody
doubts the fact that racing has not improved In
quality since the early spring meetings. Strenu-
ous efforts have been made to reinsate the so
called outlaws of the turf throughout the summer,
and these efforts culmnatec In triumphant sue
cess for A large number OF men who have always
been menace TO the well-beng Of racing. The
spectacle that has been made Of racing form within
the last few days should cause the experts who
draw airline maps of that misnoner TO blush. Is
II at all singular that the grandstands are sparsey
filled? Does II impress the minds Of the
leaders on the turf that the general public is
adverse TO paying 81 for admission TO
tracks where the sport is not nearly as attractive
as that AT county fair? When field OF such
hiqh-class horses as the that met in the
First Special Henry OF Navarro Clifford. Rey
El Santa Anita. Sir Walter and Domino. falls
to attract at least 10000 spectators II Is morally
certain that something is wrong and that the pub
lie has lost faith in racing. Surely the powers that
can renstate scores Of outlaws can rid the turf OF
many Jockeys some trainers and a fair sprinkling
of owners who are erratc as the horses In their
stables Comparisons are odious Nevertheless
certain owners trainers and Jockeys should be sub
mitted 10 a series Of comparisons OF the recent
races Of some OF the horses that won and lost at
Gravesend yesterday. When all the comparisons
are completed they should be made so odous 10 the
persons who caused them TO be made that there
should be no more comparisons drawn 50 far as
they are concerned. All the attractiveness OF the
Willow Handicap destroyed by the long de-
lay AT the post caused largely by the antics OF In
termission The chances OF Woodvine. the public
favorite erectually destroyed. Axiom. who
was a warmly supported second choice was kicked
and severely injured by Bessie Browning. When the
flag fell. 1t was to an inferior break away to at
least three OF the previous II was not true
run by any means. and caused any amount or
dissatisfaction among the spectators
There is simple way out OF the starting
puzz.e That arm Colonel Franklin Hall with
Maxim rapid-fre gun and TO instruct him to turn
n loose on tho Jockeys who are almost without
ception the worst lot OF young rascas In existence
Starter Rowe should discretion when
single horse jeOpardizes the chances OF the
mander of the field. Moreover. such long delays
destroy the tempers OF other horses. For his
protection the starter should lose time with
horses that delay the start.
The stewards OF the Jockey CLUB at their recent
meeting decided that James r. and r. p. Keene
controlled the services Of Frederick Taral. the
Jockey II decided that Tara did not have the
right 10 accept mounts on other horses than those
~ his employers. without first obtaining their per-
mission TO accept outside mounts. This decision Is
'ikely 10 cost Taral the amount that Marcus Day
agreed 10 pay him for second call on his services
History says that julius Caesar damned the
Rubicon before he crossed It, Julius Caesar was
not in IL with the spectators who bet on Rubicon
Yesterday. Many OF them crossed Rublcon on their
hooks forever Somebody said. 'Dolabra is
peach" before he started In the fourth race