The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-18
IN THE SPORTING WORLD.
WINTER TRACKS CRIPPLED MANY
LOCAL POOLROOMS.
Public Wiser Than Ever. Says q weary
Backcr-TraIner Wishard Once Had n
close Call Regarding Ills License
-OnicI0ls for the BennlnBs Meeting.

u -OniciAls Tor the bennlnBs Weetihb'
J when this racing at New orleans is at an
end" snid a weary hacker OF a poolroom to a
number of friends at the Hoffman House
yesterday, Il shall feel relieved. Most OF us
have lost heavily ever since the winter tracks
began business last fall. l know OF many
room keepers who have gone out of business
because Of tho toughness OF the game. Inc
public seems TO be wiser than ever. GOOD
things are played day after day and come
home in front. Favorites when backed cop
the dough and we have no chance to get even.
Next winter I'm going to pack my trunk ana
20 to one of the tracks where ! can play them
myself, rather than have my pockets turned
inside out. The poolroom business here just
now Ia rather dangerous. ] can po int out
here this afternoon half a dozen room Keepers
who are afraid to go within a mile OF their
places because Of the danger OF arrest. But
they make their poor clerks take chances OF
going to Jail, although OF course they stand
ready to bail them out and pay for lawyers.
There is nothing In hand books when You
can get into a room. but a room under the
present circumsta noes Is only q source OF
worry" ,
story that has never been published be-
fore was repeated yesterday at another hotel
where turfmen congregate. 1t was to the
effect that the Jockey Club, came within an
dNO VI tluollb n hNNhoV
Wishard two years ago, as a result of the form
reversal Of Trinity Bell at Morris Park. The
mare, who ran in John A. brakes colors,
was backed from 60 to 1 down to a short
price, and though her previous race was a
poor one she romped home a winner in SEN
%sational style. Thousands Of dollars were
won and the Jockey Club stewards promptly
began a secret in vestigation. When Trainer
Wishard applied for a license in the spring
several of the stewards we're inclined to refuse
one, but Drake interceded in his trainers
behalf and the latter was finally permitted
10 proceed with his duties.
Il see that the Jockey Club will allow oil
the boys TO ride again this year" remarked
another turfman during n general discussion
of racing affairs. Il thought that three or
four Of them would find il a diflcult matter to
get back because Of gla ring performance s in
the saddle. but they have evidently been for
given. There were several instances last
year which showed crimina al intent or gross
negligence on the part Of some of these boys,
but they werc not even reprimanded as far as
l know. 1t would have been an excellent
lesson TO have set ono or two OF them down
for a year or more. but such a policy evidently
does not find favor in this part of the country.
In looking over past seasons | think you Will
find that only one boy, Coombs. has been
ruled of for life, Others have been sus-
pended for bad riding. but they have been
reinstated and are still in tho saddle. II a
Jockey has influence behind him he generally
rests assured that no harm will come to him."
The coming meeting at Washington will
be governed in part by officials that have been
prominent in the control of racing at the rival
New Orleans tracks this winter. Clarence
Mcdowell. presiding judge. and J. l.. Hall.
paddock and patrol Judge at the Fair Grounds.
will III these places at Bennings, while Judge
and II n - Npnr nnaD rrnu AID
Starter Mars Cassidy will come on from City
Park. A. B. Dade, the starter at the Fair
Grounds, will handle the barrier on several
Eastern tracks, while Frank j. Bryan, presid-
ing judge at oaklawn track. Hot Springs.
will offciate at Baltimore and Providence
In this capacity. Edward Cole. judge at Los
Angeles, will fill this place at the New Salem
track In New Hampshire. c. H. Pettingill.
associate judge on the metropolitan tracks.
has also been busy placing the horses at
San Francisco and Oakland.
'. f. Smathers says that he will have No
rae, horses this year and that he will take
>..J little interest in the turf. He states
that his former trainer. Sam Hildreth, will
have a pretty fair string, which will race here
exclusively. "Hildreth had awful luck last
year" said, Smathers Yesterday. He did
not seem able 10 win n race, but that is part
Of the game. He is a fine trainer, and | think
you will see him cut something of a figure
this season."
Tom O'Rourke still believes that he can
pull of twenty round fights at his Tux edo
A. c., near Philadelphia. He has offered
A s2S 900 purse for n twenty round fight be-
tween Battling Nelson and Joe Cans and
says that in addition TO this offer he will
give them half of the receipts over $50. 900.
II Nelson still persists in lodging Cans
O'Rourke says that he will make the same
proposition if Herrera will meet Nelson. He
will also put no a forfeit to guarantee the
men against Interference,
Nelson walked up Park row yesterday
afternoon. accompanied by Billy Nolan A
crowd OF men and boys followed the pair,
who seemed to enjoy the attention bestowed
upon them.
Say, Battlin g." chirpcd a newsboy. is
yer scared o Joe Cans"
Nelson glared at the midget and said;
"NAw!"
We'll. why don'tcher fight him. hey?"
"Aw g'wan!" grunted the Battler. as he
pulled his cap over his eyes and shu fled on.
Rats" shouted the little fellow, turning
away in apparent disgust.
IF Iaporte makes good on third base"
said President Gordon OF the New York
Americans yesterday, we will have a great
ball team. Can you beat a combination
Wdue up vi NndSe, lHLdUs, ElDeTlelO, La
porte, Conroy. Dougherty and Keller when
it comes TO batting. base running and field
ing? Don't be surprised IL Grif's team is
leading the race by Decoration Day. The
luck has turned and this viii be an American
League year in New York, as sure as you
livel"
Jack Sheridan's decision to umpire in the
American League again this year is welcome
news for both players and fans. Sheridan
Ia undoubtedly the best umpire in the pro-
fession. He has been in harness for years
and has stood the test well. He has enforced
the rules to the letter, the players and the
cranks respect him and he enjoys the conf
dence Of President johnson and the club
owners. In Hank 0'Day the National League
has an umpire who is in Sheridan's class.
ODay has very little trouble it'll the kickers,
because he suppresses them with an iron
hand and does not fear a crowd. II there
were more umpires like Sheridan and O'Day
there would be comparatively little disorder
on the ball field,
COLUMBIA ATHLETICS.
No Freshman Team This Year-MedaIs