New-York tribune., 1909-11-08
0MMENT0N SPORTS
CONFLICT IN RACING.
Ne1cs and Ticzcs on LiUc
Topics of the Day.

OUiCS OI INC lay.
In one of the steeplechsses at the meet
ing OF the United Hunts Racing Associa-
tion at Belmont Park Terminal on Election
Day ruling was made by the stewards.
one Of whom was August Belmont. chair
man OF the Jockey Club which has caused
no little discussion among those interested
in this branch OF the sport. II had 70 do
with the disqualification Of Macedonia.
which vas remounted by Mr.. Clark and
finished first. after Mr.. Alpers had fallen
of on account of broken girth. The
stewards took this action on the ground
that Mr.. Alpers was not disabled and con-
sequently should have remounted and rid
den the horse home himself. The rule on
the subject reads as follows.
Rule s4-Section lin steepIechases and
hurdle races any horse getting away from
his rider may be remOunted In any part
or same field or InclOSure in which the cc-
currence took place. but should such horse
not be caught until he shall have entered
another field. then he shall be ridden OF
brought back to the one in which he
parted from his rider. Any rider so los
ing mis- horse may be assisted IN catching
him and remOunttng him without risk OF
disqualification; and in the event OF rider
being disabled his horse may be ridden
home by any person OF sufficient weight,
provided hs qualities according 10 the con-
ditions OF the race. No penalty shall be
eXacted for carrying overweight in this
instance.
Note.-In artihciaHy constructed steepIe-
chase courses and in hurdle races the
spaces between the fences or hurdles and
the space between the last fence and the
finish are considered as fields or Enclosures
for the purpose Of this rule.
The ruling in question hinges necessarily
or the Interpretation OF the word dis
sbled.' and. as Mr.. Alpers was not badly
injured. il may have been fair. IL un-
usual. one. But II calls attention 20 the
fact that the rule has not been observed TO
the letter. if the present Interpretation is
right. I'm a number OF steepIechases decided
in the metropolitan district this year. More
than one case could be cited OF a horse
being remounted by some stable hand and
finishing the race, when his original rider
was walking complacently and totally un-
injured across the field There should be
room for a conflict or Inconsistencies in
the rules of racing. revision is necessary
or a formal Interpretation of the word
disabled" should be made 70 avoid any
controversy or misunderstanding in the
future, and to prevent a rider playing
''possum" and feigning disability TO avoid
rerounting II some stable hand is willing
10 take the horse over the course for the
chance OF getting place.
The racing season will come to an end At
Aqueduct to-day. in view OF the fact that
James Butler. president OF the Empire City
Racing Association. has decided not to use
the dates allotted 10 him for a short six
days meeting al YOnkers. This action was
the occasion for more or less discussion
last week, and some even went so far as
10 charge Mr.. Butler with running out"
Lack of horses. on account Of the expense
Of shipping. was the chief reason an
nounced for declaring the meeting off. and
all fair spOrtsmen should accept this ana
forget their disappointment. Mr. Butler has
proved himself too stanch a friend OF the
turf in this state in the last two wears 10
he mistudged at this time and one thing
Is sure. he is acting with the best in
ter-sts Of the sport AT heart and has lost
none OF his enthusiasm for its upbuilding.
Racing may be said 10 have weathered
the stormiest time In the history OF the
turf in this country and the outlook Is
much brighter than II was a year ago at
this time. when many did not hesitate to
predict that the last race had been run in
this state. on account OF the Law against
organized bOOkmaking. When the season
opened al Belmont Park on May 1S doubts
were expressed as To whether the sport
would live through the summer. but these
doubts were quickly dispelled and, all
things considered. the season has been rea-
souably successful So far as can =
learned none OF the associations will show
a profit but there has been no loss TO speak
OF: and that in itself is encouraging. and
should lead the turf governors and those
interested I'm the conduct Of the various
other year rolls around
Fitz Herbert is not only the champion
three -year-old hut the best horse OF the
season. in my opinion. His brilliant and
Impressive performance in winning the
Election Day Handicap on Tuesday stamps
him. moreover one OF the great horses
OF the decade.
Patsy Donovan was not howling success
as manager OF the Brooklyn baseball team.
but that is no reason whg he should not
have better luck with the Boston Red Sox.
II he fails however. he can 20 back 10
scouting. he seems 10 have a happy
faculty for discovering promising players
II is said by those who are In a position TO
know that Donovan Is deserving OF more
than half the credit for building up the
Boston American League team last season.
Unless all signs fail. the horse show
which begins in Madison Square Garden to-
day will be more successful than in the
past-at least. from a horsemah's point OF
view II remains 10 be seen II the crowd
will turn our as or old
No fewer than lo5 horses are carded in the
six races az Aqueduct to-day. u is either
a Wild scramble by owners 10 win a purse
on the last day OF the season or a silent but
forcible protest against the claim that
there are not enough horses in training 20
Justify the extension OF the meeting
Som.body biuudered. and bundered badly.
in the Judges stand on Saturday. when u
was necessary scsli on the stewards TO