Evening star., 1933-08-01
TURF BOD|ESPLAN
DRASTIC CLEANUP
Reputable Owners Eager to
Fight Drugging Disclosed
by Federal Raid.
BY FRANCIS ]. POWERS.

IL GAshA>CAo =. 1OVEnS.
)HICAGO, August Hockey
II clubs and racing associa-
~ tions throughout the coun-
try are mastering forces
for a cleanup of the widespread
doping of thoroughbreds. The
racing interests must take quick
and drastic action to preserve the
| sport, for the Federal Govern
ment is interested primarily in
halting the sale and transporta-
ton of narcotics rather than a
cleanup of racing.
While there always is gossip around
track that doping is being done, the
extent OF the practice as disclosed by
]. j. Anslinger. Federal Commissioner
OF Narcotics, after the raid at Arling-
ton Park, was astounding.
According to Federal operatives 63
horses have been doped on Chicago
tracks this Summer and 80 in Mary
land. During the Winter season 62
cases were discovered at New Orleans
and 80 in Maryland. The extent Of the
practice at other tracks cannot be esti-
mated since the efforts of the Federal
agents have been restricted to certain
localities.
Every reputable owner of horses Is
ready to join in the drive against the
dopers since only few of the weelthier
breeders and racers of thoroughbreds
can feel themselves safe from the hands
of the swindlers. A horse may be
bx,o 80 writ,
which 1t comes in daily contact and the
owner in most instances is helpless.
Penalty is Two-Edged.
"HERE is a double-barreled pun
ishment for any one found guilty
of administering narcotics to a
horse. Not only will he be subject to
Federal prosecution for illegal posses
sion of drugs but also will be ruled of
organized tracks for life. And with the
growth of legalized racing throughout
the United States during the past year,
there are few outlaw tracks remaining
where the swindlers could operate.
The doping of a horse is accom-
plished with several varieties of drugs
and in different ways. Heroin is the
most common used. but cocaine,
hashish and laudunam also are en-
ployed. The easiest manner in which
to administer the dope is by rubbing
It on a horses tongue or lips. Some
times it is injected into one of the
main arteries of the neck or introduced
into the throat with syringe.
A young horse stimulated frequently
with narcotics quickly burns itself out.
while an aged one, its heart action in
creased by the drug, soon dies. Sons
horses rapidly become "hopheads" and
| will not run at their best unless carry
| ing a load of drugs. While the prac-
tice usually is to increase a horses
energy and speed. occasionally a good
horse is given such a heavy shot tina:
it becomes slow and loggy.
1t is estimated that the doping of
horses on Chicago tracks this Summer
has cost bettors hundreds of thousands
of dollars. The average daily wagering
on Chicago tracks runs between $3.50
| 600 and 100000, while it is estimated
that a million is placed outside the
tracks. Since the Chicago season runs
from early Spring into the Fall it is
easy to estimate the vast sum lost to
| the swindle ring as the result of doped
horses.
Otto W. Lehman. president, and John
W. Hertz, director of the Arlington
Jockey Club. where the Federal raid
took place last week. are two of the
country's leading horsemen who are
| heading the crusade against the dopers.
twenty-five witnesses have been sum-
moned to appear before the Federal
grand jury and it is believed other ar
rests may follow the seven made Sat-
urday within few days.