New-York tribune., 1896-05-03
GOSSIP OF THE TURF.
HANDSPRING'S FAST MILE AT THE
GRAvESEND TRACK.


THE NEW SYSTEM OF INcLosUREs-ENcouRAG-
ING RESULTS OF THE BENNINGs MEETING.
Handspring reeled off mile at the Gravesend
track yesterday morning in 1:is. The slasning
chestnut accomplished the task without any extra
exertion. Francis McCabe, the trainer OF Hahd-
spring. was greatly elated over this magnificent
work.
Philip j. Dwyer evidently intends to start Hand
spring for the ee-yearold stakes at Morris PARK
The fast nile run yesterday removes every possiDie
doubt about Handspring's condition. The weather
was not conducive to a fast trial, as the SKY was
overcast and the ar raw and chilly. Ihe
Gravesend track Is slow when compared with
other tracks i'm this ncghborhood and Handspring
is almost certain to gain many followers who VIII
bet on his chances in important races
James r. Keene is well pleased with his two-year-
olds although he is conservative in his remarks
about their chances. Overconfdence is the beset-
ting sin of many horseowners who tell their frienos
that their horses cannot lose races, and that IL IS
like finding money to bet on them. When the true
test comes in a with other horses deieal oi'eh
falls 10 the lot Of the boastful owner, who blames
his trainer his Jockey for the defeat OF MS morse
True sportsmen never boast about their horses.
b,t carefully consider every chance that Is against
the racers and true sportsmen are extremely eau
tlous about advising their friends to bet on their
horses.
Everybody interested in racing is eager to see
tracks will compare with the old system Peter DE
Lacy saws: II believe that 1t is a step in the right
direction to charge extra admission TO the desirable
places on the race-courses. Racing cannot exist
without sufficient revenue 70 pay the purses ana
other heavy expenditures incidental TO a race-meet-
Ing When everybody who pays to enter the gates
of a racetrack is on the same plane there is no
valid reason for anybody 10 find fault ! believe
that there are at least average OF l5oO regular
racegoers who will cheerfully pay IS day for the
privllege of viewing the races from any place on
the grounds Of the race-courses that they may Sc
Iect am, and have always been. in favor OF
racing where everybody received the same treat
ment without favoritism being displayed toward
anybody"
The question is being discussed in the places where
the leaders of the turf assemble, as to whether the
club members of the various tracks will enjoy the
privilege of visiting the reserved Enclosures without
extra charge. 1t is possible that such privileges on
charge TO the members Of the Jockey Club. In all
matters pertaining TO racing the Jockey Club Is su-
Tested in racing under the methods permitted by the
Austin law
that IL is extremely hazar 10 express an adverse
opinion about anybody associated with the manage
made a few heated remarks one night last week
Since that time eight different men have inquired If
the remarks were meant for them What cheer
officials c Of the past must have been!
There are several mild cases of influenza at the
tracks 1ne trainers 90 not dNlclpdte any StilouS
results although some of the horses afflicted are
likely to be reserved for the later meetings.
1t is TO say that horses cannot be trained
to race early in the spring When American
trainers tear a leaf of the books OF the English
trainers and keep their horses at work during the
winter their horses will be ready to on April
81 necessary Some trainers spend the entire winter
In putting fat on their horses, and break them down
in the spring in a futile endeavor TO work it off,
The Bennings meeting closed yesterday 1t Is
rumored that s S. Howland and his associates re-
port the losses incurred by giving the meeting at
$500 small matter like $4,000 should not
dampen the ardor of the Washington sportsmen,
should sing paeans Of JOY the speedy recovery
of j. McCaerty from his Injuries. and be perfectly
satisfied the result of their efforts TO establish
frst-class racing In Washington.