The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-02-04
THE DOPING OF HORSES
II Is an Evil that Has Grown TO an
Alarming Extent.
AN EFFORT BEING MADE TO STOP IT
Privilege OF women During Leap
Year In Olden Times-Poiicy OF
the Northern Pacific Regarding
Deiinquenss Payments on Lands.

Among all the changes in the rules oil
racing made by the Jockey Club in re-
cent years none has attracted more at.
tention nor caused more discussion
among horsemen and trainers than the
proposed amendment prohibiting the use
of drugs, or what is commonly called
dope" on race horses. The proposed
change will undoubtedly be adopted at
the next meeting. 1t reads az follows:
"Any person who shall be proved to
have stimulated the speed of horse by
the use OF drugs, whether administered
by hypodermic or any other method, or
who shall have used appliances, electri.
cal or mechanical, other than the ordi-
nary whip and spur, shall be ruled of
the turf"
There are few persons not Immediately
connected with the turf who have any
conception of the growth of the practice
of giving stimulants to horses in recent
years. There are still fewer persons who
realize the ultimate danger to the turl
that would accrue if the practice were
allowed to continue. 1t was these per-
sons however, who caused the prohibitory
amendment to be offered, and who will
doubtless succeed in securing it's adop.
ton.
What is troubling the majority Of train.
ers, however, is the probable interpreta.
ton that the Jockey Club will put upon
the word drugs" There are many
reputable trainers who have never re-
sorted to the needle" but who have
made it custom to give their charges a
drink of whisky or coffee before sending
them to the post. 1t can be stated on the
best authority that the object OF the
Jockey Club is solely to stop the use Of
the needle" or the giving of cocaine and
like drugs, 1t is not at all probable that
the bibulous habits contracted by GER
tain we'll known horses, in consequence
of the custom of their trainers, will be
interfered with. They may be given
their bottle of champagne, whisky or
brandy, or their can OF coffee as hereto
fore.
The movement of the turf authorities
against the use of drugs cannot be too
highly commended. The opportunities
tor fraudulent practices given unscrupu-
Ions trainers by their use are manifold.
The practice, if the whole truth were
known, was responsible for more than
one glazing reversal of form last season.
A horse, under the influence OF drug
would run like crack q jack one day, and
the next time he appeared, without the
injection" would be badly beaten by
inferior animals. Taken altogether, the
dope" has cause heap of trouble, and
there are some people who will be hearth
ly pleased If the Jockey Club, succeeds
in its efforts to bar it from the turf.
Apropos of the subject, a good story ia
going the rounds of the trouble caused by
the use-or, rather, the non use-of tn
needle" at certain eastern meet
ing. A fairly good class horse was en-
tered in one of the overnight events.
When the entries appeared it was seen
that with one exception, he could easily
defeat the field, providing he would run
up to the best form. That was the only
thing that could stand in the way of a
successful coup" He was known to be
in good condition, but he was also known
TO be an inveterate sulker.
The ira liner was anxious to land good
winning, and took into bis confidence a
man who has the reputation of backing
"sure thing" heavily. An agreement
was made the night before the race that
the IMAM with the money" should put
down a good bet on the horse providing
the trainer would use the dope" to
keep him from sulking. 1t had been
used on him before that time, and it was
kRown that he was what 10 called a
Subject" The dangerous horse" WAS
taken care of in the most approved fash
ion, and everything promised we'll for a
"killing."
When the time for the race came the
next day, the plunger, according to agree
ment, sent q good sized commission into
the ring. But for some reason that will
probably never be known, the trainer
neglected to carry out his part OF the
contract. He did not use the needle, !"
the horse sulked worse than he bad ever
sulk ed before, and was beaten off. The
jockey who was riding the dangerous
horse" unaware Of what had happened,
waited 30 long for the trick" to get TO
the trout that he, too, Was beaten. Con-
sternstion was pictured on the face OF
the plurger as he Witnessed his money
being burned up, but he followed the
course generally pursued by those who
are given what is known as the double.
cross" and asked no questions-at that
time. 1t is recorded, however, that be
has since evened up matters with the
trainer with vengeance.
The most amusing part of the whole
business to those Sin the SWIM" was
the fact that the owner OF the horse that
won the race was made 10 suffer. The
judges, indignant at what they called q