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GOOD JOCKEYS SCARCE. "The action of William C. Whitney in signing T. Burns to ride for him next season, when this rider is at present under suspension by the Jockey Club stewards, has occasioned considerable surprise and talk among horsemen. Jockey Bullman, who is also under supension, was, it is said, advised to remain on the eastern courses," says Morning Telegraph. "Aside from the question as to whether these two jockeys are likely to receive licenses again next year, Mr. Whitneys action regarded as a practical business move calls sharp attention to the decided lack of good riding material now at hand in this country. "The retirement of these two jockeys, without regard to the complaints which caused the revocation of their licenses, undoubtedly weakened the riding talent available. There has been complaint on this score all season, and on more than one occasion owners have been compelled to scratch their horses in stake events for the lack of competent riders. "J. B. Haggin could not get a jockey for his eligible in the Futurity, and was compelled to withdraw on this account. G. B. Morris, who has raced a big 6table this seasoD, is now without a jockey. "Of the comparatively old jockeys now in the saddle, Odom is about the only one riding in good form, and naturally he has a strong following whatever his mount. " Spencer rides only occasionally, and he will not be in evidence next season, having signed a contract to ride in Austria. Turner is practically out of it, as he has grown too heavy to ride in the majority of races now, and is seldom seen in the saddle. " The same applies to McCue, though the latter can still ride a good race. OConnor is dead out of luck or form and has had a very bad season. "Lucien Lyne and Arthur Redfern are the most promising of the younger boys, and both are riding in splendid form. But of the others there is not a great deal to be said in their favor, and the outlook for next season is not particularly bright, to say the most. "Owners now are trying all sorts of experiments with apprentice boys, and some of them may prove to be useful for next seasons service. Boiesen has shown some ability and won a couple of races at the present Gravesend meeting. "S. S. Brown continues to put up little Brussal, and the midget had the mount on Lady Josephine in a stake race on Saturday. Sheedy, another apprentice, won with Bisorta during the week. "With the present limited number of jockeys of standing, the players have been forced to follow the inexperienced lads when it looked as though their mounts had a chance. It is no longer a case of good jockey, good horse, for a heavy wager, but good horse and any sort of jockey that is put up, and then hope for the best. "These conditions naturally make toward harder forms of speculation and bring about fewer truly run races. Mnch of the erratic form shown during the season can be ascribed directly to the lack of oompetent riders. "Meanwhile the jockeys who have gone from here to England, France, Germany and other foreign countries continue to ride in great form and are making a lot of money. These foreign owners have, in fact, seriously crippled the home tracks in the matter of jockeys. "Danny Maher is one particular star which America lost to the English turf, but he probably is making two or three times the money in that country that he could make hero. "Then there are Henry, Johnny Beiff, C. Jenkins, Skeets Martin, Thorpe and Taral, to mention only the best of the jockeys who have deserted the American turf. With these seven back on American tracks there could be little complaint of poor horsemanship, and a return to conditions of some years ago when there were enough capable riders to go around and insure truly run contests. "There is little likelihood, however, that they will return here to ride and the American turf must continue to struggle along as best it can with the riding material it has. "For one thing the apprentices are getting plenty of experience these days, and it is to-be hoped that out of the army of exercise boys who are coming on there will spring another Lyne or Bedfern to help matters out for the racing season of 1903."
