New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-26
THE RACETRACK.
TALK ABOUT THE TURF AND TURF
AFFAIRS.

AFFAIRS
| Long -ooked-for and ch-needed rain fell in
copous quantities at Sheepshead Bay yesterday.
In the morning the trainers gave their horses their
| usual amount OF exercise and prepared for a days
pleasure at the beaches. The rain caused them to
| remain at their quarters where they moped and
pondered over the uncertainty of racing II IL dan
gerous 10 ask a trainer his opinion as to which Is
| the best two-year-od OF the year. The average
| trainer, when asked, will invariably begin a long
| dissertation about starting and say rude things
about men at the head OF racing affairs Some of
| them complain bitterly because jockeys are fined
| for slight mistakes at the post. These men find
fault because the Jockey Club does not add to its
revenues by fnng the starter when he blunders
and leaves horses at the post. II this were done.
the trainers say the starter would receive no sal
airy, but would be compelled to pay handsomely
! for the privilege OF starting the horses.
Many other things asserted by trainers. who
have not the courage to say them where some
benefit may be derived from their opinions On
the contrary, the average trainers do not desire to
be quoted, as they insist that IT would nJure them
in their calling If they offended any Of the racing
officials by crticising anything pertaining to the
management OF the turf. A large number Of own
say things their friends about the evils and
abuses which exist and are growing more numerous
on the turf. but they absolutely afraid to ex-
press opinion when any OF the turf magnates
are within earshot 1t is easy matter for
|
turfmen and men who possess shares In racetracks.
These horse owners appear to possess full share
OF physical courage, but when racing Is discussed
they arrant moral towards, who fear TO say
what they freely express to their friends to the
men who are directly responsible for the existing
state Of affairs on the turf The handcapping is
horrible to contemplate, and is on par with the
starting.
one Of the chief causes OF the uncertain form
that has marked the racing this year is the cheap
purses and stakes which have been offered for
competition. The weakest book in the ring can
easily stand off the value Of a purse in single
wager. 1t is necessary to have an understanding
regarding two or three horses In race where
there six more starters to make reasona-
BILE sure thing" for some designated contestant In
the race. II 81 900 purses were given the cost would
be too great In many instances, and would prove
That such men are az the races every day is Wei
known in the betting ring. and should certainly be
W. H. Clark's heroic treatment OF Maher has
m s H sy BE- the SANK is
determined to fulhl everything he has agreed TO-
public by his fearless action. On every hand is
heard desire that Mr.. Clark be made member
Of the Jockey Club and elected to the place OF
William X. Vanderbilt. who has had unsuc-
the track on Saturday. 1t is reported that he in
tends to race in this country. and that he viii
ony sand Jockey Club be- conduce on basis
f eeH be ADDED ode @ tho stakes and
The foregoing Is evidently dream; nevertheless,
II is told with such earnesness that there may be
To be sure the grounds OF the Coney Island
the visitor The iron fence, with its siided spikes;
the massive stone-pillared gates, gravelled walks
and closely trimmed lawns betoken prosperity; But
the stabllng is on par with the fence. although
the rentals amount to nearly $4,000 year-deriyed
their money in the stakes. and are expected
to be devoutly thankful for the privilege OF racing
a large number Of breeders and others have
guaranteed stake system. The latter was all
right at Guttenburg. where definite amounts OF
added money given and the stakes guaranteed
to be worth a definite sum In cash TO the winner,
ing forfets. When racing became a trust in this
State the guarantee system was seized upon WIN
r nearly all the stakes run this year the racing
clubs have not contributed one penny on the
the clubs had added 5000 to the big stakes several
% them %H MSqd Verify racing is great sport
the horse owner and great game" for the track
IMPROVE the horse and may have aided in doing
so. but there is not the slightest doubt that rae
track owners to large extent. The latter cyl
IDENTIFY believe that the racing laws were passed TOT
their express benefit. and that DreedeTs O~ltblS
trainers. Jockeys and the racegoing puDHc ogeSner
consideration. and should accept what tney i re-
ceve with good grace They should not murmu IT
managed by incompetent officials. who have no IN
terest in the sport beyond the saIarLes .neS az
the gate and aid in supporting the bookmakers ana
I'm keeping the game running
Never in the history of the turf has has there been Sr
basis as there has been this year The public
wants racing that Is pi5iity a,sI,.a rane,nts
of the racing clubs The Jockey club has been
vested with extraordinary power. the cluD APP
points it's own police hence there should be little
difficulty In ascertaning who the persons are VINO
tamper with Jockeys and what jockeys are sus-
ceutible to being tempered with Moreover. train
err who have unfair suspicious dealings with
the ring should be easy prey for the Sherlock
Holmes Of the Jockey Club Now Is the time to
use the knife and to cut TO the hone. II neces-
sary TO remove the gangrene that threatens the
lie OF racing as a sport Amputate II occasion re
quires. The public is ready FOR II; IN faSt II -
anxiously awaiting action by the turf authorities
The expulsion withdrawal or Punishment or
baIf-dozen owners and equal number or train
ers a dozen Jockeys and a score or more or book
makers will not injure racing on the contrary
The snort will be benefited. AS TO the bookmakers
, ma iority OF them more anxious Tor pure rae
ing than certain racetrack officials and sharehod-
ers These men would rejoice and be exceedingly
iad n drastic measures were taken 10 relieve them
from the danger Of being feeced by certain un-
scTiinulols men who bring the entire calling into
dIsrepute With every power TO do good on the
turf the Jockey club should not hesitate TO let
The axe fall the necks OF the ncompetents in
,elr employ and to bend every effort toward pure