New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-15
THE RACETRACK.
GOSSIP AMONG TURFMEN.

GOSSIP AMONG TURFMEN.
vraek Of racing at Morris Park has developed
49, fact that one class OF the two-yearod division
l., Gar above the average. There is TO discountng
the fact that two-y ar-olds who win selling races
,usdays would have ranked stake-winners IN
- Years Another fact that is plainly evident
!, that the American standard OF excellence in the
.h-o,Sh bred is far higher than in any other coun-
-, The disappearance OF winter racing at Olouces-
~ and Guttenburg has made II Impossible TOT
..osssrs 70 dispose Of Informed. unshapey young
- o- any horse that does not show indications OF
-. Wv the term class as applied 10 thorough
80 has been much abused. First-cass racers
- extremely rare. horse may De tue oesl VI
a., ,ear yet be many pounds short OF first class
r,sr there are second and third class horses ana
,,.r a class known selling-platers
TO- latter class in America ranges anywhere
- the practically valueless. broken-down cripple
- formerly ranked fairly well TO hrst-class
,oLe-v,inner Horses that have begun their careers
~ selling platers have been retired as turI chain
to,s hence II Is difficult 20 measure class owing
=, ,bo liberties taken by horse-owners and the lax
90 -, he turf stewards OF America. II Is hkey 10
-. moro difficult than ever before 10 CLASSIFY the
.so,ea--olds OF the present year. There are many
d,su,hacks 10 the development o. two-year-oIus
ora ~ the principal obstacles is the barrier An's
shonination ruins the tempers or more y"unss'e's
,ba1 any other cause. To say that 'he Jo0A.!
a~r., no controlled without the aid Of the barrier
=, - .,~ssss,or Of weakness by both the racing ON
c,sls and their hired the starter Inc per
centage OF poor st9-ts with the barrier Is 4f'
c,ea,er than II was ore the barrier was auoPeu
When the man who holds the nag plumbers anu
leaves horse TWO al the post ne uoes "V'
.touiedge his fault but resorts 20 writing letters
re requesting them 10 have their horses
.o,ia5 ~ the barrier Notwithstanding the fact
ma these same horses have raced many times from
the barrier and have won races mere caH NC "0
-rie-rtin races at distances less than mile OH any
circular track with the barrier II ahypouE Uesiie'
- investigate all that is necessary Is TO visit the
betting Enclosure and ascertain the views OF 'he men
who make a livelihood by laying the odos against
,u oo-,ers ANY OF them will tell the inquirer that
the horses in the outside positions have much Ihe
worst OF IT, as II requires so much time ioI .'ieih
70 get in motion that the horses on me INSIDE nave
a decided advantage before they nave raced d lui
Iong u all the horses were in motion IL woulo
oualze matters and give the horses In the outside
places chance
Another obstacle 10 racing in this country is the
INCOMPETENCE and laxity Of the stewards IL IS
all right 70 be lenent. but IL is obvious 10 race
roers that leniency is carried 10 excess when
crimnally careless riding and suspicious lounhs'
frequently resulting injury 10 horses ana ol'en
endsngerlng the lives and limbs OF Jockeys Is
overlooked and no action is taken in fragrant cases
Of the violation Of he rules OF racl"s Winds NJ
rscegoe,s anu - sorna ~ he managers Of race
giYdrod snorfe and are now patronizng the race,
tracks RufHanism and rowdyism demoralIeed
Jockey club and racetrack owners TO keep sharp
ne race Sn and are on OF intimacy with
some of the leading lights on the turl Iner mere 70
T,,rfv The turf An immediate increase In tho
value OF the overweight purses would aid mate-
rally In improving the racing ,.,
Ia regard 10 the stewards II IS not absolutely
essen a hat "a a certain club There have been
stewards who did their duty faithfully ana wen
= 81
possible to secure such man. supposing Ms ,;,s
and Moss We're members or the pemoC.Htio OiG ri
v-na- would their investigation amount TO- Al
that is required is a little vigorous action by me
careless or foul riding and reprimands for stupid
he manners Of few of the insoient gamns
hat swagger around the paddock and wilfully
disobey the orders Of their employers $1,000
There has been enough of rain TO put the track
in superb condition. The attendence has been
as the Juvenile the Metropolitan and the Withers
have been splendidly contested, so that the mis-
haps and faults OF the minor contests nave Deeh
overlooked 10 certain degree ,
Jean Beraud's magnificent victory on SATURDAY
was generally discussed by turfmen and racegoers
yesterday; He won the golden opinions OF an uho
opponents Ciawson's riding was also praised, and
had ne heard some OF the laudatory speeches made
about his ability as trainer II was pleasing 70
their losses yet rejoice because William c. Whit
ney possesses such good colt in Jean Beraud
turfmen. however. do not permit time 10 hang
heavily. A large number Of them take a turn or
two around Central Park In the afternoon. and
gather al the Casino 10 talk over the scenes and
Incidents OF the preceding week. There are vari-
Gus topics other than racing that are considered.
The Western turfmen have opportunity 70
study the different styles OF New-York taiors and
the marvellous creations OF the hatters worn by
9 = Bates and the Horse Show set that follow his
trail The stage is also well represented by actors.
actresses managers and men who sell champagne.
The man who pushes champagne is TO be ptied.
As a rule he equity. irritable and ill-tempered so
That the task Of drinking the wine he represents
and looking pleasant at the same time is extremely
difficult
The improvements az sheepshead Bay are being
rapdly pus he'd 10 completion. Trainers highly
nlea sed with the track which is both safe and
Fast so that there only few OF soreness
among the horses.
The new paddock at the Gravesend track is COM
pleted and everything Is ready for the opening
dav Colonel Brush has the track and steepechase
course in tptop shape. The stables and buildings
have been repaired. that all Is ready for the call
20 the post
Brighton Beach IS in perfect order although W
H Tngeman is spending a lot Of money on the ap-
proaches TO the grandstand and the paddock