Evening star., 1937-06-15
Commissions Jealous.

THE Bowie and Laurel tracks tn
Maryland are located to attract
patronage from Washington; and the
Havre de Grace course, in the same
State, is strategically situated to tap
Philadelphia, Pa, and Wilmington,
Del, as we'll. The authority Of State
commissions ends at the State bound
aries, but the hopes of race-track
promoters merrily skip the lines in
search Of population centers, CUSTOM
ers and gate receipts.
This kind of thing arouses jealousies.
Happily, the jealousies evidence them
selves mainly in conflicts for desirable
dates, in duels for the important
horses which will pack grandstands
and in business conflicts. The con-
troll OF the sport, so far as preventing
cheating is concerned, is vested in the
rules of racing.
These rules Of racing were pro-
mulgated by the Jockey Club soon
after its formation in 1884 to correct
the then existing chaotic condition
q condition which many well-informed
observers think will come again in
few years. Since the rules had
stood the test Of time, newly formed
racing commissions adopted them
with comparatively few changes.
States Agree on Code.
HE code of ethics that controls the
conduct Of jockeys, trainers and
owners is interlocking, so that a sus-
pension in one State is automatically
. suspension in another State. A
Jockey is responsible to the trainer
who has him under contract. The
trainer, in turn, is responsible to the
owner, who has his money invested
IN the farms, stables and horsefesh.
The rules OF racing provide for con-
erol OF both jockeys and trainers and
also OF the owners. Thus, John Doe
and Richard Roe invariably are as
sured OF an honest ride and an honest
race. The abuse Of the public comes
in that other side of the game, the
operation Of the race track.
The horses may run their truest as
consistently as thoroughbreds can,
and Jockeys and trainers may perform
their best, as called for by the rules
OF racing, but John Doe may not get
fa'r or generous deal in the betting
because of slackness or malfeasance
IN the operation of the race track.
Twenty Families" Aid.
This becomes known in time, and
there is a great force to keep
matters Strengthened out in the wealth
and influence of the go families
q sort Of parallel to the 1900 FAM
lilies OF France" 1t is safe to say
that If these 40 families" were sud
denly to drop racing (Which they
cAn'D, the whole structure would fall
In on itself in few years.
These families have a deep love for
the thoroughbred, but they now are
hooked, 50 to speak, by their invest
ment In the game. They must fight
to keep 1t clean. They can't and won't
race where the tracks are run In a
slipshod manner.
These 40 families" by no means
stand as unit and, of course, have
no organization. Indeed, business and
social CULTS divide them. But, in de-
votion to the thoroughbred they are
united. So long as they remain in
racing their good taste, freedom from
temptation through wealth, and their
power stand as guaranty OF in
tegrity.
Whitney Group Typical.
ouch typical racing family is the
Whitney family. Branches of it
at present in racing are Mrs. Payne
Whitney, with her Greertree Stable;
her daughter, Mrs. Charles Shipman
Payson, with her Manhasset Stable;