The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-08
RAGING GAME is CLEANER
AT PRESENT THAN EVER

OF the year. was requested by the
Trotting association to make a double
quick trip TO Des Moines and identify
he horse. The animals sloping hips
and peculiar Il of carrying his
head readily enable the writer to
identify him as the Ohio ringer. and
the a S resulted in all parties in
terested being expelled. while legal
action was taken looking toward the
refunding OF the money won.
Laying Up" Evil Stopped.
Laying a horse mp for "A heat or two
just barely beating the distance flag
and then coming on n winning in
slower time after the other horses
had raced themselves into the ground,
was one Of the most frequent methods
resorted 10 in order 10 annex first
money. Many people considered this
absolutely legitimate and as using
shrewd racing judgment. The fact
that at most important race meetings
events are limited 20 best two-in-three
heats. or 10 three heats with every
heat a race. does away with the lay
ingup evil to a great extent.
one condition which has contribu.
ted TO n great extent TO the evasion
Of racing rules was the fact that at
n majority Of the race meetings men
who were placed in the judges stand
10 have supervision Of the racing. and
enforce the racing rules. we're men
who were unfamiliar with tho latter.
and this lack Of experience made
them unfit for the important duties
imposed on them.
Progressive racing associations Of
recent years appoint professional
judges. men ~ vast experience. thor.
oughly familiar with the racing rules
and methods pursued by the drivers.
and who not only are familiar with
tho rules from every angle. but also
have the nerve 20 enforce them 10 the
letter.
Whereas tho half-mile tracks form.
crlv limited their events 10 5000 and
$500 purses. $1,000 and $1,000 stakes
are now offered by scores 81 these
progressive racing establishments.
which has resulted IN attracting n
better class 81 horses. the reduced on
try fees and the inducement " win
ming first money en- these increased
purses also %ahording an incentive 10
20 In n win IN the quickest posi-.
bic manner
Crooked Methods Don't PAY.
A. the harness racing season is
rather limited. most stables not racing
more than three consecutive months.
while but very few extend their cam
paign over four months. owners and
drivers realize that IN order 10 have
the earning capacity o. their stable
show a balance on tho right side Of
tho racing ledger. they cannot AFFORD
10 take any chances ~ having heavy
lines imposed and having the driver
and horse suspended for n period Of
thirty 20 sixty days
Another factor which has boen
largely responsible for on improve
ment IN racing conditions IN oonncc.
tio with tho trottcr and PAGER Is the
Tact that many owners Of prominent
racing stables are graduates from the
matinee ranks Interest IN the racing
gamc with these men had lts first I'm.
ception when they drove a horse or
two az the matinces against their
friends. and as they gradually
hranched out az an owner % a profess
sional race horse. they are moro on.
Unused with tho pride OF owning n
winner n seeing their horses name
IN the headlines than for financial
rain. These men are true sportsmon
and their addition % tho ranks Of
highly beneficial effect on the snort
OF harness horse racing generally.