New-York tribune., 1896-09-03
RACING AT SHEEPSHEAD.
THE FAvoRITEs IN BETTER FORM.
FEWER CAUSES FOR COMPLAINT THAN on TUES



DAY.
The turs IN the Empire state has been suiler'ns
severely from the absence of August beiiion'
abroad Mr. Belmont did so much for the improve
ment OF racing before he went to Europe that II ~
clear many unfortunate things would not nave pceh
seen on the Iacetracks Long Island II he had peeh
able to remain here. Some disheartened observers
Of the mishaps and misfortunes which have taken
place since Mr. Belmont crossed the Atlantic think
that the chairman of the Jockey Club was dis
cournged by the difficulties which he encountered IN
his efforts 10 purify and elevate the sport ana that
he departed 10 Great Britain in despondent frame
of mind convinced that eXtant Hercules could
cleanse their Augean stable. This may be SO. or it
may not be so Certain it is that Mr. Belmont him
self is the only person who speak with authority
Oh that pcint lie did much before he sailed. Much
remained 10 be done however. Noble and heroic as
Mr. Belmonts labors for the benefit of the turf
were. he did not have time set the seal on fin
ishcd task Those whom he left behind have not
been entirely successful in draining the turf hogs
and morasses which have been conspicuous upon
the racecourses in Long Island
II AIR Belmont had not decided that he must 80
10 England. perhaps Hamilton would not have been
roinstaicL. perhaps there would have been fewer
senesarnbian eamhols at SheepsheaG Bay. at
Gravesend and at Brighton Beach; perhaps Martin
would have been less audacious in peculiar rdlns
Of Captive and certain other horses; perhaps Grf-
fin would have ridden better races. and perhaps MI
BcllDcnt$ own horses would nave run DctteI' per
haps Doggctt would have ridden certain horses in
certain contests with more energy and perhaps all
the racetrack stewards would have been more alert.
more Gctive. more vigiant and more efficient.
Many people wonder why certain gentlemen who
sit stewards do not cast aside all turf RESPONSE
bites. arX.etic~ and troubles and spend their time
at Newport in luxurious ease. The official pro-
rramme al Shcepshead Fay has the names Of j. II.
Bradford T. r. Hitchcock and w. S Vosburgh as
the Official stewards of the meeting All three gentle
have many friends and many admirers. All Of
them possess many popular and estimable and ad
mrahle qualities. Every Of them could lead a
german In the ballroom Of the Newpor' Casino or
in the mansion Of Senator Calvin s Brice with ex
quis,c grace and charm. Every ono o; them could
preside over a suunptuous banque- with felicity
that even Chauncey VI. Depew Joseph II. Choate
could not sirpass. and that President Cleveland or
Secretary Carlisle HOke Smith could not even
approach Every them could deliver an aG-
dress on subjects Of National importance and interest
which would cnchain and enchant every listener
Every of them Is amiable. affable good natured
ood-iomperod. comraisant. courteous and abun-
dani in every quality which is passport to. MEM
bcrshp in the Metropolitan CLUB or any other eX-
elusive aud distinguished social organization OF
mliOnaircs Every of them Is fitted in every
trait and every characteristics for the finest and most
delightful club N lhc country. But the trouble IL
they are too goo5-natured. and they too chiv-
kind aui aristocratic and genteel 10 ask as
many unpleasant questions ought to be asked
order 10 20; thoroughly satisfactory racing and TO
hold the Martins and all tho Senegamhian and Abys-
slnlan owners trainers and jockeys in proper re-
stIani sour and harsh stewards are needed. men
of iron of the type Of Oliver Cromwell. Smiles are
our Of place IN the stewards stand. Stern, hari,
fierce faces are needed there Frowns and scowl5
and giares 1ud the visages OF raceracK
stewards The Book OF Common Prayer and otner
unimpeachanle authorities declare tndt tns Is d
wicked world and that all miserable sinners
n.lfa
without reserve. And ii is clear 10 every earnest
and faithful student of turf affairs that OF all the
msera Bile In this wicked world the turf SIN
ners must he ranked among The most miserable and
tine most wicked.
The classics teach us that three judges WIN
savage brows and cruel eyes and awful looks
sat the Plutonan shore TO judge the wre'cheu
shade which Charon eerried over TIE piacK ana
stagnant slime OF the Styx and Acheron Ihe
turf In the Empire State is the Iiades of this era
Tnscrlpulous owners trainers ana jockeys are the
wandering shades that ought 10 be judged daily
and they ought TO be judged with all the rlsor
which marked the proceedings of the ancient
tribunal at the verge Of the Internal rivers. On
fhe racetracks OF to-day modern Aeacus. mod
ern Mines. a modern Rhodaman;hus should pe
sitting The judges Of Grecian and Roman my
thology were famed for their impacable austerlty
as well as for their impartial decisions RacetracK
stewards ouSht TO emulate the sternness ana the
irnpar;iality of the dread Judges o. Tartarus.
Every stewards stand should be tribunal as
awe-insplrng the Judgment seat neai
ticned o a fate as dre as that of the hapless
victims who condemned TO be thrust under
ali eousoes and in smphstic earnest scrInn race to
make themselves really terror 10 evll3oe,s. pds
they don't in this STATE. If our racerack stewards
protecting the public which supports the turf
would Martin be riding now after The the peculiar n1 ar
d 1her horses 4 az this b os o
IIOruDiDC.
various times? Many other questions of similar
tendanee sen91 ss at the races is not large dozen
years ago great throngs of people We're glad to &c
xnecans 40 eEe 6ecome aensted from the turf and
face il Is in plain view Because most intellisen.
Americans have made up their minds that the
them IN such way hat the people whH 60 sso TO
hs e cy and eozans at all 'e'
Meanwhile the merry bicycle rider sings his
% sy Of as m ne seeli and ou
Of he reach Of the schemng contrivers of turf
not pay two dollars for few hours of recreation.
Grandstand tickets are not requisite for his diver
The laycrs-of- odds themselves doing great
are fairy liberal and are agreeable
and acceptable persons TO meet. But some of
has Of old There are two Two. many "a o9 Clarde Duvals
make up a list Of forty thieves. from the roll of
the layers odds. They plunder their victims
offer. especially in the odds for second place.
Wha: will these road agents do If all the racetracks
In the East are closed next year, seems
not unlikely? The ranks of the shell-twisters and
the monte-twirlers are already overcrowded. Per-
haps they will become "barkers" for fake shows
al West Brighton.
September was bountiful In weather both or
Tuesday and Wednesday, as August had been in
her closing days. !, enjoyable an autumn
afternoon that everyone who feels any interest
in turf affairs might well have been tempted TO go
10 The Sheepshead Bay track. But the attendance
was not large II al the racetrack stewards had
been always alert at all times this wear and IN
Martin and Hamilton and CLAYTON and Sims and
Doggett. and some other jockeys and certain own
ers and trainers had been taken promptly in hand
they ought 10 have been. when any cause for
faut-nnding was obvious. then the attendance nj
the races every day would he At least four times
what it Is now. Racing in this State must surely