The Washington herald., 1907-03-24
MUST KEEP MOVING
Bo0kmakerS Cannot Main
tain Stand at Benning.
JUSTICE sTAFFoRD's OPINION
same Method as Was Used Last Fall
WiII Obtain During the Meeting
which Opens To-mOrrow--Distrie
Attorney VIII Have Representa-
tives at Track-NOtes OF Horses.

The appeal from Justice stsfford's def
Hition as 20 what constitutes bookmaking
In the District Of Columbia, In the case OF
Layer Of Odds Davis, Of New York. who
was found guilty last spring Of running
a gaming table at the Benning races, ana
sentenced to one hour in jail. not having
been passed upon as yet by the Court Of
Appeals, the status OF betting as laid
down by Justice Stafford will have to be
observed at The meet which opens to-
morrow
In other words. ghe booknakers viii
have no regular place OF business where
they can be readily, located by patrons.
they VIII not occupy either stools, chairs,
or tables, which might be construed 70
mean that they ars setting up gaming
table," they win simply have to keep
on the move, take bets as they come
along. and pay them out as they go.
II is understood that the district attor-
ney's Office viii be represented at the
race track during the entire meeting. and
will keep a strict watch on the ''bookies"
and their methods, and It Is further un-
derstood that the slightest infraetion Of
the law as laid down by Justice Stafford
viii be met with prompt arrest.
The regular race followers, who have
been sojourning az New Orleans or en-
joying the winter climate OF Los Angeles
OF san Francisco, have abandoned these
sldeshows and are already headed for
this city. eager for the time to come
when real racing shah begin.
More horses are now quartered at Ben
ming than ever before. and II has become
a desperate matter to get stabling within
striking distance Of the course. Many
strings have been at Benning during the
entire winter, but most Of the horses
have only recently arrived.
There Is some question among the ex-
perts as TO the fitness OF the nags for the
races Of the first week II Is pretty early
yet TO have thoroughbreds wound up TO
a racing pitch. but the best-posted OBJ
servers say that there viii be a sufficient
number Of properly fitted animals 20 work
of the early programme. A few days
more OF such weather as greeted the
trainers yesterday win make a wonderful
difference all around
Owners Of horses that have been racing
at New Orleans and Ascot have come TO
Benning with the idea that their seasoned
candidates viii have considerable advan-
tage over the horses trained in this sec
ton, but they are liable 20 be sadly dis
appointed If they expect easy pickings
The courses at New Orleans and Ascot
are lightning fast ''pasteboard" tracks,
and horses which have been racing over
them viii find IL an altogether different
proposition when they tackle the deep
sand ak Benning.
To-day the course Is pretty we'll dried
out, but is still deep, and precluded any
idea Of fast moves. ThTee-quarters in
1.zi or % was good work, and a we'll
posted hOTseman expressed It as his be-
lief that the six furlongs would not be
run better than lis during the meeting.
The Belmont string. brought up from
South Carolina by Trainer Whalen. is
well thought Of BY the hest-posted ex-
perts, who say that it VIII be a pretty
good Idea to string along with this stable,
especially IN the two-year-old events
These horses have had the advantage OF
mild climate, which has permitted out
door work all winter. They are in bloom.
ing health, and are as near 20 a race as
anything on the track. Trainer Whalen
had them out in a bunch yesterday. and
they attracted much attention.
Okenite viii be the Belmont starter IN
the handicap. and Whalen is very sweet
over his chances. This one has wintered
finely and has developed into a racy look
ing three-year-old. On Thursday he went
six furlongs in L22, and to-day Will be
given his final trial.
Billy Garth still claims that he mas
the handicap winner In his barn, and that
Grazialio is the animal This horse is
surely in wen. and if he will only race w
10 his work. will have a royal chance. He
is a-sullIy old villain, however, and is liza
bic 20 pin back his ears and refuse to try
at any stage of the game.
Just now Horace E. is about the most
admired horse at the track This son OF
BannOckburn has developed wonderfully.
and good judges say that he is the best
Of the Rainey cracks and sure to be one
Of the star -year-olds of the year.
He was on the track yesterday. and
showed with such freedom and ease as to
put tie other performers in the shade.
Three-quarters in ! 20 is about the best he
has done so far. but he accomplished il
with much in reserve.
Owners and trainers are complaining
bitterly about the multitude of "ciockers'
who infest the course and keep tab on
every move made. These gentlemen are al
Bennins in larger numbers than usual
coming from every section Of the country
New Orleans, San Francisco. Memphis,
and Canada are all represented. and it is
impossible for a trainer TO try out a horse
without the performance becoming public
property, This makes it impossible 70
keep a good thing under cover, and owners
are beaten in the betting The ''clocker'
evil is one the Jockey Club will be called
on TO meet.
G0TTTO WINS FROM CRANE