New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-19
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE TURF
URGENT NEED OF RACING REFORMS

srrwARps WHO ARE NOT ENERGETIC ENOUGH
CERTAIN ENEMIES OF HONEST SPORT.
The reputable. honorable and trustworthy 'uri
writer's OF this city have praised ana commehueo
the action of the Aqueduct stewards In the Day
case II is amusing to note the ridiculous special
pleas in extenuation of DAILY which nave oeeh put
forth by a few INSCRIPTIONS writers VINO are "'
heart enemies of honest racing. and VINO are oo''-
stantly longing and yearning for return OF the
worst abuses OF the worst days OF Guttenburg ana
Of the period when Gutenberg was cesspooi OF
infamy These apologists profted in ODE way and
enother by the existence OF the lowest ana NiIest
Of the midwinter tracks in New-Jersey. The mid
winter racing Of the old days In New-Jersey which
did so much to bring dishonor and disgrace upon
the Eastern turf ought TO have resulted In long
term OF Imprisonment for every person connected
with t. In fact, OF the persons connected
with II were sentenced to terms OF imprison-
ment, but through the use Of peculiar iniuehces IN
New-Jersey they escaped with fines. II Is not sur
prising that the benencaries OF the most aoom-
irable evils Of midwinter racing in New-Jersey
svmpathizs with DAILY. Some OF these delectable
and charming writers actually have the enrontery
10 declare that the Aqueduct stewards ought 10
make an apology TO DAILY. Isn't that richly humor-
Gus? The idea OF the stewards Of any racetrack
on earth since the suppression OF the midwinter
racetracks In New-Jersey. making an apology to
DAILY. The suggestion is unutterably absurd. and
could come only from the enemies of honest racing
Every step taken by the stewards of any race
track which tends 10 discourage inconsistent
running ought TO receive the hearty and enthusl-
asuc support Of every honorable and reputable
turf writer II makes little difference however, in
the long run what any disreputable mendacous
and INSCRIPTIONS turf writer's may write, or what
excuses or apologies for inconsistent running these
writer's may invent and put in print
EVILS THAT MUST BE CHECKED.
II the stewards at the recent meetings at Graves
end and at Sheepsheal Bay had taken heroic and
radical measures 10 check Inconsistent running ana
inconsistent tockeyship the turf In the Empire
State would be in a much sounder and safer con-
diton than 1t Is in present. Just so long as any
betting at all is permitted in any way on race
tracks land thoroughbred racing is not likely 10 be
kept I'D without some betting in some form. the
tur. Is in danger OF suppression. because Of egs-
Iative action. of bankruptcy. because OF public
distrus unless all the sewa rds OF the Jockey Club
and all the stewards OF every racetrack in the
State are always viglant. aiert fearless and ener-
getic But the truth of the matter is that, as
rule. the racetrack ofic ials at wel-known western
racetracks have been far watchful and FAR
more energetic and far more Jealous in protecting
the interests of the public than some OF the race
track stewards have been In this State this year.
In a considerable number OF cases on the Western
racetracks radical and important action has been
taken against owners. trainers and jockeys who
have been responsible for inconsistent perform
ances 1t IS true that The stewards Of The sheeps-
Club did we'll In the Forget and in the Pa,adin
whose performances at Morris Park Gravesend and
shee2shead Bay gave abqndant cause ior vigorous
HOW TO REGAIN PEBTIC- CONFIDENCE
Public prejudice against the turf public
ment against IT 50 extensive, so widespread and
SO intense that only the utmost and painstak-
ing the part Of racetrack stewards and the stew
ards Of the Jockey Club possibly save thorough
bred racing in this State from destruction. few
years ago the rich and influential Washington Park
nf( hiCa p1aQu mo
at which extremely valuable prizes offered at
which the most celebrated horses In America were
seen. and which great multitudes of spectators
were present Racing has been given up entirely by
that association The for this action was the
fact that so many turf rascals infested the Western
turf as to cover the sport with dsrepute and dis
honor Hence the Washington Park Association re-
tired. SO II Will be a certainty in the Empire
State, unless race,rack stewards and the stew
ards Of the Jockey Club Will act boldly and bravely
and unfiinchingly to suppress Inconsistent running
and relieve the turf of the presence of all owners
trainers. Jockeys and LAYERS ODDS whose prac
both of the ractracks and Of the Jockey club also
have been too amable and easygoing anu ihdueeh'
And ali the breeders must come TO the rescue OF the
turf in this State, they will find that their year
Nngs will bring groesGuey low prices hereafter,
Every breeder should have racing staeie ana Id ne
should take pains to secure the services OF an h1heo
trainer and an honest Jockey Moreover, al 'ne
breeders must devote themselves WIN chfrsy 10
training competent trainers and competent JocReSs
The American turf IS in sore need o, an a1dp y
equpmentd OF iorkevs The number of thor
Oughy trus; worthy and skful trainers ana Jockeys
not come promptly to the help of the turf and work
faithfully and zeaousy for lts I nres d"
SUGGESTIONS FROM JUDGE BURKE.
In the course of an article IN The Spirit OF Inc
Times" J. j. Burke, the celebrated racing judge.
vhose experience has been most extensive and I'M
portant makes the following observations;
Let me tell you and anybody who cares to learn arm
WIN selling race YOU have horse which can come
pretty close to winning the greatest honors on te
fact that The Commoner. who gave Henry or Ma
varre hard race in the Suburban was running IN
selling races only a month or more ago; ana tilat
Hornnipe also contender in the big handicaps, has
been beaten in selling races r fnT b b%c th
best horses in training bar perhaPs one or Two Cd
the governors Of racing should sit down and devise
some method Of keeping night handlcap hoIsts
be passed reducing the amount of purses In selling
races and enactinG that horses runmi,s ,be
richer purses handcaps. This is somewh at OF tne
ss a naq by Frank fT Ware and
racing privileges abused the more urgently
think 4hsr .has IS nor denyne the that
raceeoer cannot understand me appion' tqrnn,ne
Counter Tenor. etc. all Of whom this year nave We
ranked in almost the same class nd as b 'ne fe DAYS
afterward those same horses unniaced ID set th
No wondST the woHE wh FORM
trouble il that these crippes run In selling races
nerhans a little short Of work. under the impress
sion that they need not be up to their very, best
TORN 10 win them. whereas their trainers know
that they must be at their very best In order to WIN
the big handicaps and accordingly every eiiort rs
made 10 have them keyed up" when they start FOR
those ,a 1900. ,o
10th owners and trainers OF such horses seem 20
ignore the fact that their horses are bet upon IN
these selling races by the public on the assumption
that they are up the best form and II they are
not the public have paid great price TO nd II out
No wonder therefore that a howl goes UP mat
reaches from Maine California when a good nam
djcap horse running In selling race IL seen 10 be
under the whip half a mile from home. and no won
der that enemies OF racing take advantage OF such
a state Of affairs 10 denounce the whole institution;
The remedy? II is simple enough. Make II penal
offence TO run n horse for work oh. yes II Is done
many times and everybody who goes racing knows
n il is q good deal worse when done by a stable