New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-10
THE RACETRACK.
ABOUT HORSES AND HoRsEMEN.

ABOUT HORSES AND HORSEMEN
Horse-owners, trainers and the general public
who take an active interest In the affairs OF the
turf are preparing for the opening OF the racing
season in this neighborhood The meeting al
Washington is not looked upon real-sure-enough
racing by the true admirers OF racing as sport
On the contrary. the racing at Bennngs last week
is regarded as a slight Improvement on the Iron
Hill brand Of alleged sport. Form as displayed at
Washington is not likely to be taken seriously by
the wise men who interpret the mysteries OF the
book Of dope" and who bet their money on their
deductions.
In the West the racing has been unusually good.
hence racegoers in that region rejoicing and
are exceeding glad In California Edward Corri-
gan the cantankerous." has been subdued and
made meek by ordinance that has practically
closed the gates Of the Inglesde racetrack
The horsemen and breeders OF Lexington. KY.
are in despair because some angel from the East
has not stepped to the front and saved the Lex
ington racetrack from being obliterated from the
list OF American racing centres. II is a sad COM
mentary that the Oldest and most historic racing
ground situated In the heart OF the blue grass
region, where horse-b breeding is the principal in
dustry Of the inhabitants. should be compelled to
appear in the role OF a mendcant. The decadence
of Lexington began when its breeders removed the
thoroughbre market from Lexington 10 this city.
In the good old days OF the the yearlng sales
were held on the farms where the youngsters were
bred and the breeders took an active interest in
promoting the best interests OF racing in their own
bailiwicks but soon as they removed the market
from their doors they ceased to support racing
where the least cost was involved. These selfsame
breeders are the loudest In their lamentations
about the sad fate the sport that made the blue
grass region famous. when they have free badge
10 the racetracks in this neighborhood. and op-
portunity 10 say things about the wicked book
makers who control the racetracks and racing in
Kentucky.
There are few wealthy men who race extensively
IN America although many men who have leisure
and means would like to race IN small way.
nurey for the love of the sport Every beginner on
the American turf is compelled to pay for his
perience and is put through the several degrees Of
mystic rites that expensive and humiliating be-
fore he is considered neophyte in racing. II
the newcomer on the turf stands the 'gaf' and
s,u nersists in racing he is classified as dead
game snort mot spor:sman). who is determined to
get even and remains the turf only TO recover.
II possible a portion OF his losses. The slipshod
manner I'm which racing is conducted causes Few
10 withdraw before they are severely burned but
MANY remain until they are severely scorched ana
wholly disguised not with racing. but with many
OF the men who hold prominent positions on tho
turf and who aid and abet rascals by their IN
difference TO the shortcomings OF the men VINO put
newcomers on the turf through the various degrees
that render them case-hardene6 10 neglect or as
gust them with everything associated with the
sport -,
At the racetracks the trainers are as busy as oes
nrenaring their horses for the racing campaign TO
he sure there are some trainers who prepare thsr
horses from their apartments in uptown hathouses
bv the aid Of the telephone, whlle othets are IA
dustrous and remain at their staDies uaS anu
night ,,s -, horsauan
and the patrons OF racing; Tnere Is phiy 1 1he
opinion expressed I'm regard to the Work or me
handicapper and that is mo matter what the re-
suits may be- the actual public form Of the horses
has been ignored, and one horse has been unduly
favored In the allotment OF the weights go
Ben Holiday is being prepared az Jamesvile aiia
~ trustworthy reports may be relied upon ne j. III
as good condition he was in his lie:
Agol is also in the West. and Is In splendid ietue;
Plaudit is at Wesbury Long Island All f Te has o
been reported as lame, sick out OF conditloh anu
everything that prominent handicap horse Is
subjected to by the gossips Of the turf Faua u,
is exercised regularly. There Is no reason 10
worry about him. . a., ,.u,, A.d.
II Mr Clay improves at all in the skilful hands
Of Samuel Hildreth he should certainly be dan,
his back Then there is George keene TO try MN
with N necessary, II Mr. Clay starts in any or
the handicaps he not S KEY 10 run boe alone
In the White Plains Handicap last fall.
ST Cloud is at Brookdale. where he receives
every attention requisite for nrst-class prepard
him bv the handcap PIPER. who appears TO have an
exalted opinion OF his ability as a racer. Inc tu-
guenot is also trained at Brookdale but has peen
Erred and Mr.. Rowe, his trainer. Is not hkey
10 take any chances with him in preparing MIN
Peep O. Day is at Brighton. He has wintered
splendidy and Is likely TO be ready Tor the ques-
ton in the first OF the great handicaps $50 l.,
Banastar is one OF the most Improved horses /"
training. -. ,..., horsss In
training and is receiving a special preparation lot
one OF the three handcaps. Lanky Bob VINO -