The Washington times., 1922-09-17

RACING DAYS
In MARYLAND
Ten Day Program, at Hayre dc
Grace Course to Open Next
Wednesday. tS
BY LEONARD w. COLLINS. l

MrARYLAND'S "big timey
M fall racing campaign win be
M inaugurated next Wednes-
day afternoon. when the pictur-
esque Havre de Grace, course
throws open its gates for the first
Of its ten-day program. Follow
ing closely upon the Havre de
Grace meeting, in the order
named, will come those at
Laurel, Pimlico, and Bowie.
This is not all the fall racing that
MARYLAND will have to offer lovers
OF thoroughbred competition. Dur
ing the week intervening between
the closing of Pimlico and the
opening at Bowie. Marlboro VIII
stage five day program that should
attract many OF the high class per-
formers which will be held over for
the Southern Maryland Agricultural
Associations meeting.
In all, the Oold Line State viii have
no less than sixty days OF racing be-
tween next Wednesday and the last
day of November. Havre de Grace
will run ten days; Laurel, twenty
three; Pimlico. eleven: Marlboro, five,
and Bowie. eleven.
Interest Runs High.
Interest in thoroughbred ,competi-
ton throughout Maryland and i'm
mediate vicinity right now Is at Q
higher pitch than ever before. That
: the sport is gaining in popularity
and favor, from year to year, can
best be exemplified by the attend
ance figures at Timonium's meeting
of but week or 50 ago. Crowds of
anywhere from $4,000 to $4,000 were
in daily attendance. And 1t must be
remembered that Timonium is but q
half-mile track and facilities and ac.
comodations for patrons are not of
the best>at least far below those
to be found at Havre de Grace. Lau.
rel. Pimlico and Bowie. ..--
There are any number Of things
contributing to this growing interest
and popularity Of Maryland racing.
Greatest Of all, undoubtedly, Is the
fact that the game has been kept
reasonably clean--ciean to the ex-
tent of the officials utmost en-
deavors. La F-r .....
True 1t is that there have been
instances when some unscrupulous
owner. trainer or jockey has over
stepped the bounds of propriety, but
just as sure as he did, just as sure
were the powers-that-be to make
the offender suffer the full penalty
for his folly.
Racing officials are placed in q
most highly undesirable position at
times. They fully realize that the
disqualification of horse means
monetary loss for some. a gain for
others. Yet the laws and rules OF
honest thoroughbred competition
must be enforced and IL is with this
end in view that they render their
| decisions. -.....--.. ~. ...f
Fight Fowl Play.
Ask the average racing official
what Is the most distasteful task
that falls to his lot and he will very
promptly inform you that disquall-
| fication exceeds all others. 1t Is
not the fact that he must set back
some horse that finished in the
money, or suspend some owner, rid
er or trainer. 1t is the fact that in
that particular race there has been
unfair or unsportsmanship tactics
used. And 1t is unfair practices
that the officials are guarding
| against. &c..
Instead of the condemnation off,
cials are subjected to when decision
is rendered that may affect some in
q monetary way, they should be CON-
mended. They are trying to keep
4 the game clean. 1t Is only the player
who wants to win at any cost who
voices his displeasure when a SEEM
ingly won wager is taken away from
him.
II the baseball player uses unfair
tactics in attempting to win a con.
test he is banished from the game.
So II is in any other line Of sport.
And the rule of fairness and sports
good in thoroughbred competition il
II is to survive. Maryland racing
officials are agreed and determined