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A TALE OF THE TURF Even experienced successful racing men fall into error at times than which nothing better illustrates the uncertainties of the sport On Thursday at Gravesend Graves Mr P J Dwyer dis dais ¬ cussed with bis bias trainer Frank McCabe the advisability of leaving Handball in the Jerome and Manhattan Handicaps at Morris Park ParkMcCabe Permeable McCabe thought the horse might have a chance in the Jerome as he believes that Handball is a stayer slayer Phil could not see it that way The colt is not at himself said Phil He has not one chance in a million and I wont start him I want you to declare him out of both events To make doubly sure that Handball would be declared Mr Dwyer gave Secretary Mclntyre McIntyre similar instructions instructionsImagine instructions Imagine Phils Phil surprise when he looked over the entries next morning and saw that Hand ¬ ball was named for both the Jerome and Man ¬ hattan attain He posted down to the offices of the Brooklyn Jockey Club forthwith and a stormy session ensued between him and Mr Mclntyre McIntyre I thought I told you to declare that horse said Phil So you did replied the suave and diplomatic Colonel but I supposed McCabe would attend to it itPhil pithily Phil was in no very pleasant frame of mind on the way to Morris Park When he got there he immediately looked up McCabe The trainers explanation only threw light on the case in one point namely that Handball had not been declared from either event Phil con ¬ cluded clouded he would make the best of it so he said to McCabe Well we have got to pay start ¬ ing King fees anyhow You can go ahead and let him start in whichever event you see fit fitThat frittata That Handball won the Jerome Handicap at odds of 25 to 1 is now of the past But it may not be generally known that the son of Hanover was treated to a bottle of whisky in the pad ¬ dock before he went to the post Did Handball win on Dutch Courage Perhaps perhaps not Anyway whisky doth accelerate the speed of both horses and mortals and it is unfair to the betting public that a horse like Hand ¬ ball say should be treated to a speed pro ¬ ducing ducking elixir at one time and not at another anotherWhen another When it is necessary to use stimulants on horses or if it is necessary at all why not record the fact on the bulletin board When stimulants are not used the public should be so advised Of course the Jockey Club might for various reasons prefer not to so enlighten the Dublic Public Then it should adopt a stringent rule against the use of any and all stimulants for their employment is decidedly unfair to the betting public Speculators find the natural and legitimate accidents of racing difficult enough to surmount without having to indulge in guessing matches as to when a horse is to be treated to a bottle of whisky and when he is to run on the temperance plan Morning Tele Telex ¬ graph
