The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-18
WILL MEAN BETTER RACING
Walter ]. Sydnor to BE Secretary
ofsMichigan State Fair
!, ,5' .!,s Races. II s.ji

DETROIT, March 11.--Walterl u. Sry.
der. secretary OF the Detroit Grand Cir
cult meeting for the past two seasons.
will net In tho same capacity for the
Michigan State Fair races. He has had
/ much to do with the smaller race tracks
SINCE Becoming resident OF that state,
and will BIO Identified with the Michigan
Short Shipment Circuit, one OF tho best
half mile group OF tracks, during tho
early part OF next season.
There are few laws In the statutes OF
the National Trotting Association, which
have been more universally approveds'sy
the real patrons OF the harness turf thar,
one. passed by the last Congress-, per-
hitting no drivers to carry timing
witches In their hands when actually
engaged in rnce. Like many, and. In
fact. ali other rules, this. too. has mn
exception. namely. that 1t can be broken
BY the express permission OF the Judges.
The great majority of horsemen, who
are heartily in favor OF the rule, are
Judge or Judges will ever make an ex.
ception to the rule. and yet keep their
reputation before the patrons OF racing.
An Upheaval.
II this rule bo enforced to the letter
1t will Gauge an upheavel IN trotting
horse circles mainly, OF cours., among
the great ma ority OF race drivers OF the
present time. who are so we'll accustomed
to the FREQ use OF the timing watch in
measuring tho distance of their horses
and rating them accordingly. BY this
time lie can keep m accurate tab on his
horses during each and every quarter
of n mile. and prevent them from getting
out Of their classes as long as he de-
sires.
The free and unrestricted use OF the
timer in the past has been conducive
to SO many evils. and proved so detrl-
mental to high-cluss racing. that 1t
reputable judges In the stands can all
low any exceptions to the rule.
The better class patrons OF the trottinR
turf are aware of the unfortunate fnct
that geat deal OF the dishonest work
is traceablc to the habit of carrying n
watch and hence any set OF judges Civ
Ing permission. under any circumstances,
Will at once fall under the ban OF reput-
able men and justly be ostracized by the
better class OF trot;.ng associations.
There arc n few race drivers yet on
tho Grand Circuit that can judge the
rate of speed OF their horses, yet the
great majority have so long depended
on the use OF the timer as to be cn-
urely Incapable OF rating horses accu-
rately. thus going as fast or as slow
as they see proper.
Better Racing.
The racegoing public will hereafter EN-
joy better racing by the full enforce
mcnt OF this rule, while owners will not
be able to keep their horses in the same
class week after week, without mark
{ ing them.
The habit Of looking at timer con-
tipually while racing, besides detrimen-
tal to tho turf can serve no honest pir-
pose. A trainer and driver hns oppor-
tunity to knuw how fast his horses can
step a quarter by using the timer in
the workouts, and as the quarters are
always taekn by the official timers. he
can have an accurate idea of his horses
speed quality, by being In the lead. or
measuring /. by his closeness to the
forward horse.