New-York tribune., 1910-01-10
COMMENT ON SPORTS
AFTER RACING D4TES.
Ners and Viescs on Lice
TONES of the DaY.

Topics Of the Day.
Unless the recommendation by Governor
Hughes in his annual message TO the Isesis-
isture that law be passed TO prevent ora,
betting an amendment TO the present
law against organized booknakins serves
e cool the enthusiasm OF the various
racing associations, the stewards of the
Jockey Club must shortly struggle with the
problem OF how to assign dates for the
meetings next season without conflict and
without friction. A year ago nobody want
sd oates. until the Association of Breeders
1nc Owners vas organized for the Durnose
q guaranteeing some os the racing assoc!a-
'lons against loss in the running of certain
stakes. Even then there were enough dates
end 20 spare The season did not open
until May Is, almost a month later than
usual and followers OF the sport had TO be
content with three or four DAYS a week
until the meeting of the Empire City
Jockey Club. in July. when James Butter
took the bull by the horns and brought
racing back 10 somewhat normal condi-
ton.
There is a decided change for the better
This year, was until the disuuieting
message ef Governor Hughes, and il looks
how as II the dates would not go around.
The Saratoga association wants the full
month Of August. the Brooklyn Jockey
Club and the Coney Island Jockey Club
have made ambitious plans and will de-
nland full recognition, the Westchester
Racing Association is preparing an at
tractiye programme and will ask for its
usual dates. while the Brighton Beach
Racing Association, which did not conduct
r1ea-
rather, has announced a strong programme
OF stakes TO be decided at a meeting at
Brighton Beach. The Queens County
Jockey Club. which races at Aqueduct, and
she metropolitan Jockey Club. with track
st Jamaica. have not made their demands
public. but il can be said that dates will be
applied for for az least one meeting. If
perchance Aqueduct AMI Jamaica would
forego dates in the fall, and be satisfied 10
hold spring meetings, which would be more
profitable than late in the season. the prob
lem would be easy Of solution. 1t would be
possible TO take care Of Brighton Beach
and give Saratoga a full month. which. in
my opinion. is desirable, without conflict
End without friction.
That the sport of racing has recovered to
large extent from the effect of what al
most amounted 10 knock-down blow by
the passage of the Agnew-Hart law in 1903
was clearly indicated last week in the clos
ing Of e number OF stakes which will be
decided next season at Sheepshead Bay,
Gravesend and Brighton Beach The en-
tries showed a marked increase in both
quality and quantity over a year ago, when
the outlook was dark and gloomy. The
associations which struggled along last
season. well content TO accept Il small loss,
alive. did their part by offering more al
tractive programmes, and well deserved the
whole-hearted response from horsemen and
breeders. The best OF the two-year-olds
uil be raced in this country. and not
abroad. next season, while the older di-
vision has been strengthened by the return
from England OF such good if not great
horses as Ballot, Priseiiian, Dinna Ken,
Helmet. Fair Play and others. This means
much better racing than a year ago and
q greater and more sustained interest on the
part of followers of the sport.
The question OF paid stewards 10 serve
throughout the season came up for discus
sion among some racing men in the Wal
3orf last week 1t is an old subject, which
has been thrashed out time and time again
and concerning which followers Of the
sport can never agree. Racing has been
professionalism to such an extent that it
is folly. perhaps, to cling so desperately to
the last remaining hold on sport for sports
sake in the way OF honorary stewards It
lends a touch, however, that adds some
prestige, and for the time at least il would
seem better, in my opinion, not 10 make
any radical change.
There are some strong arguments in
favor OF paid stewards which the Jockey
Club might do well 10 consider, not the
least OF which lies in the fact that under
the present system there is a decided con-
fict in the Interpretation of some Of the
rules os racing, particularly the one refer
ring 70 disqualifcations. This in itself
leads 10 much dissatisfaction during the
season and should be avoided. There is an
other reason, however. which strikes me as
far more forclble. in < ne the authority of
the honorary stegsaSa begins and ends
with one particular nscarig and opens the
way 10 sharp practice on the part of I'M
scrupulcus owners or trainers.
II has not been unusual in the past for
some horses TO run a bad race on the clos
ing days Of one meeting and a surprisingly
good one in the early part OF the next meet
ing. The stewards cf the first meeting
would have no substantial reason, perhaps
for questioning the poor performance until
Il had been followed by a startling reversal
Of form, and by that time il would be too
late, inasmuch a. the authority of the
stewards OF the first meeting had ceased
and new set was presiding, with jurisdic-
ton only over races that were run at the
succeeding meeting. \ remedy could be
provided in the appointment of one paid
steward. whose authority would extend
from meeting 10 meeting, but who could be
restrained from too constant stirring of
muddy waters by his associates, who as
noT. could be appointed honorary stew
ards. This. il seems 10 me- would be a
long step in the right direction looking 10
q more complete control of the sport
At the meeting OF the Maryland Jockey
Club ;Ft PiJniico last fail a secretary TO
the stewards was appointed, who served
IN the capacity OF steward when called on
and who was prepared al all times to give
information required on the form OF the