The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-03
.HOPPLES ARE DANGEROUS.
NhTIONAE TRoTrfEG lsSooIATTON
WILL BE ASKED TO EAR THEM.


Ksntuchy Horsen,en In Favor or major We.
DoreIi's ndea 20 ProhIbtt Their Use-Ths
Opinions or Rnrney Demarest and ''Knnp-
sack" McCnrthy-Another Change In Eules.
with tho biennial congress Of the National
Trotting Association scheduled for next month
at tho Murray Hill Hotel, horsemen are can.
vassing the outlook for needed changes in the
rules OF harness racing. particularly the propo.
sition to bar hoprles and to strengthen
the rule against laying up heats. As
noted in THE Sun last week tho Ken
lucky Trotting Horse Breeders Association
has petitioned the approaching Congress to
take action on these matters, and the indica-
lions are that q determined effort will be made
to amend the existing rules. The sentiments of
tho Kentucky horsemon found expression in tho
following resolutions. introduced by Major
Henry Clay Mcdowell. former President Of the
association, and ono Of the oldest and most
prominent breeders in the blue grass country:
Resolved, BY the Board Of Directors OF tho Ken.
lucky Trott!ng Horse Breeders Association that the
use OF hopples on horses In racing is dangerous to tho
life and limb OF every driver and horse participating
therein; that II mars the enjoyment OF the public
witnessing such races. and that It works great injus-
tice to those who race horses without hopplee,
forcing them to place their lives and property In
jeopardy without any compromising advantage what.
ever.
We therefore respectfully request the National and
American trotting associations TO pass q rule prohib-
fling the use of hoppies In races over the tracks OF
their respective members. attaching Q special penalty
Of such severity for fts violation as will insure full
obedience from each track 30 governed.
Resolved, That the rules now in force against the
practice of laying up heats are Intellectual. and that
as q tar against fraud and the indefinite frightening
OF races. they form no protection. The experience of
oil practical horsemen has shown that there 10 but
one rule that will erectunily provide the safeguard
desired. and that is to shorten tho distance.
We therefor respectfully request the National and
American Trotting Associations to pass a rule fixing
the distance In rares OF mile heats between six or
less horses at thirty yards; between seven and twelve
horses ut nifty yards. ana between thirteen or moro
horses at seventy yards, and to anlx q special penalty
for the violation OF this rule by tracks in membership
its strict observance.
This action of the Kentucky horsemen 10 Of
moro than ordinary Importance, owing to tho
fact that Major p. P. Johnston. the President
Of the Breeders Association. is also tho Presi.
dent of tho National T%rotting Association. and
by virtue OF the latter office will appoint the
members Of the Committee on Rules at tho
forthcoming congress.
Although hopples were virtually unknown
appliances in harness racing a few years ago. tho
use of the straps to force horses that are not
natural trotters and PAGERS to go the gait has
lately become 80 common that it is not an I'M
usual thing to see q majority Of tho horses In q
pacing race rugged out with two sets Of har-
ness" A few cases were reported last year
whore every starter wore tho straps. Probably
seven-eighths OF the horses that require them
are PAGERS. Topples have caused many serious
accidents since they came into general use. for
il drawn at all tight they are pretty certain to
trip the horse that wears them II he happens to
mako q break. New York race-goers saw four
horses, sulkies. and drivers piled up in q heap
on the Fleetwood track during the Grand Cir
cult meeting two or three years ago when Ell
Rami was thro wn in this way. Ed Geers. NJ.
e.. McHenry, Barney Dcmarest. and many other
prominent drivers consider the appliances SO
dangerous that they will not drive horses thus
rugged. Demarest. who has driven trotters for
twenty-five years. said yesterday to THE sun
reporter:
THE Kentucky. people are right about bar
ring the hopples, but !! don't expect to sec the
gross next month. The organization is run oy
the track managers. and most of them will
sS oPaR own tho to the nam TSls' Of Seca sssrja Is w ssnsi
cially in pacing races. l believe nearly all
drivers and a majority Of owners arc
persons who go to the races are in favor of 1t. too
but the owners. drivers. and raccgocrs won't
Hill Hotel next month than they had last
month at the meeting OF the Board of Re-
since I got, thrown out and hurt at Com.
bination Park last year. 1t Is dangerous enough
to sdnri drive Ell in : race ace against gaIIst other plrH horses horse , that wear
this year for fear, OF an accident when trailing a
horse that had them on; No trainer ought to
How much I a falling off would there be in
entry lists If hopples were barred = asked the
That is a hard question to answer" was the
10 anything in tFFostins races: u and
f Ssssf Year t 4 1ssss saa %'} Ss 5SS.s es = ;Se 80 h a;;s'
out them. 1t might take longer to educate
some Of the PAGERS to go that way. but every
l have seen trainers who used the straps from
force Of h%abit,7never tried to get a PAGER going
What is your opinion of the Kentucky prop.
osition to shorten the distance TO thirty yardsf'
had "w nos sea dan Major I, src! MeBome Rism rasolati %no
why, nobody would race horses under such a
EpIS as v 3h15i I s"pPP 20 o y9s made dc 2 ABR Srop AZ
q; no; . That wont do. # the "a:
up heats there's just one way to do it.
Hang every man that makes a bet on n heat and
long as the rules are so that = driver can bet
against his horse for the heat and lose tho heat
without losing the race. you will sec plenty
public. 1 believe this business Of betting on
heats has done more to drive good men away
from tho trotting tracks than all other
causes combined. Another thing. II . driver
bots on his horse to win a heat. he is often tempted
to kill his chances for tho race right there in
that heat in order to save his bet on the heat.
Somebody gets in front Of him, or he makes a
break, maybe, and then he has to drive the life
ont OF his horse to win. Then they beat him
back in the other heats and the owner swears he
pulled the race. Like enough it's the owners
money on the heat TINT the driver kills his horse
to win. and then tire jud res and the newspapers
get after the driver because he doesn't win tho
race. I sometimes lay up a heat. but / never
play my horses 'hat way, and don't believe It
ought TO be permitted"
W. fl. Mccarthy. better known as KNAPP
sack" who drove Little Brown jug and Hope
full nearly twenty years ago. has this to say
about the Kentucky resolutions:
THE ,hoppics ought to go. They're danger
Gus and a bad thing for everybody. Three
quarters of the horses that wear them could be
trained to go without them, and as for those
that couldn't. what arc they good for. anyhow 7
HOpplcd horses amt worth u dollar to drive on
the road, and nobody would want to breed to a
stallion that couldn't go fast without no straps.
1t seems to me there Is something In the rules or
bylaws OF tho National Association about i'm.
proving the breed OF horses. / wonder II they
,Is-I -pnln ,utlI I-ln - Il ~ "a l-