New-York tribune., 1909-07-21
TO RESTRICT RACING
STATE M4Y PROTECT TWO
YE1R-OLDS.
Bill Noe Drafted to Limit the
Early Training Of Baby
ThOrOuehbredS.

bill has been drafted and Will be submitted
to the Legislature next winter to restrict the
racing of two-year-ol in this state 1t will
have the support. il is said. of many of the
leading breeders and horsemen in this country,
as it has been felt for some time that the i'm
provement of the breed of thoroughbreds de-
mands It, Those who have made close study
of racing here and abroad have contended for
some time that the constant running of baby
racers before they had a chance TO grow and
mature thoroughly has brought about the ruin
of many good horses, which. with the proper
care and time for development. would have been
a credit TO the turf and to the breeding in
dustry
The bill which has been drafted provides that
no association in this state shall offer races
for two-year-olds until August /. by which
time the Youngsters will be in better condition
TO undergo the severe strain of training and
racing. The question of limiting the racing of
two year-ods is not one. and has been
thrashed out from time to time by the stewards
Of the Jockey Club and the directors of the
various racing associations. Failing to get re-
lief from these sources. those who nave the in
terests Of the thoroughbred at heart and its
proper development along the lines accepted
abroad decided to take the bull by the horns
and secure if possible legislative enactment
to bring about the desired results.
The bill is largely in the interest of breed
ers and no doubt will find some opposition from
those horsemen who would consider it a hard
ship to keep their money tied up In thorough
bred stock without a chance to earn a return
the investment until the racing season was
more than half over
we'll known breeder in speaking Of the sub
ject yesterday said:
''Tlqe movement on foot TO restrict the racing
of tvo-year-olds until August l is long step
in the right direction, from my standpoint. 1t
is absurd and almost cruel 10 ask a young
horse which Is not fully developed 10 take up
high weights and race at top speed over sprint
ing distances. Donau Is a good example OF the
ends TO which owner viii go - win a few
purses The colt las started thirtF-four times
this year and so far as can SEQ. good horse
is being ruined in spite Of the fact that his
owner ard trainer say that he looks better to-
day than he did six weeks ago. The strain il
bound to tell In the long run. and if tie Jockey
club and the various racing associations will
not protect the youngsters tho only recourse -
To the state legislature.
There ara exceptions of course - every rule.
and Jack Atkin. = real iron horse appears 10
he a good example of how much horse can
stand and still show nigh class and quality, and
stil Jack Atkin was not raced ovcrmuch as a
tvo-yesr old and is built on particularly sturdy
lines
in France ana Puseia two old racing IS
restricted by legislative enactmsrt. "hie in
England the youngsters are treated With far
more consideration than in th:s country. Here
We have two -yesr-olds going - The post on
January / when ofteutiues they are moi moro
than a year and half old, for the reason that
the birthday Of ali thorouEhbreds comes on the
first day Of the year. The time has come for
the ba bv racers 70 be protected in this country,
as they are abroad
General stephen Sanford and his son, John
Sanford. who maintain a breeding farm near
Amsterdam IN this state. will. u s said, lend
their full support To the measure. II has long
been hobby and practice. for that matter.
Of General stephen Sanford TO keep his horses
awav from the post until the meeting at Sara
tora in August This has not been due on
tirelv 10 the fact that he is violently opposed
10 the early racing If two-l ear-o'ds. but be
cause he hss realized for long time that
horses bred and reared in tho North cannot
hone 10 compete successf lily with horses reared
In warmer cIimes. For all that. he is said 20 be
a stanch supporter Of the move to restrict the
racing Of two -year-olds.
The question Of the disadvantage that accrues
from breeding horses in the North and racing
them against youngsters bred and reared In
Kentucky. California states south of the
Mason and Dixon line is now under discussion in
turf circles It may lead to something being
done in the near future. such as the granting Of
A hve-pound allowance in races to two-year-olds
bred in certain districts over those reared in
others which. it is thought. would equalize to
a large extent differences of early maturity. and
so encourage the breeding of horses in this and
other neighboring states.
NEWSBOY RAINED SMALL COINS.