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MORE MONEY FOR JUMPERS. A new and bright era seems to bo dawning upon steeplechasing and jumping in this country. The splendid enthusiasm awakened by the Champion Steeplechase this year is only one evidence of it. The growing list of owners and the constantly improving quality of the horses being sent into the sport are the real signs of its prosperity. According to a prominent Jockey Club officer, Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach will present a rich steeplechase fixture, patterned after the Champion, at no late date, while the Saratoga people have long been considering plans for a rich jumping fixture to be run next August. With three stakes of the value of say 0,000. one each at Sheepshead, Brighton and Saratoga, rui during the summer months, supplemented by the liberal offering for jumping and hurdlers to be found at Morris Park in the fall, owners and breeders will at once interest themselves in a field which holds rich purses and stakes for the right kind of horses. It means that within a few years steeple-chasing in America will be on the plane of popularity it now enjoys in England. J. H. Alexandre, National Hunt and Steeplechase Association, is out with an announcement that will bring a sense of gratification to all lovers of racing over obstacles. Mr. Alexandre intimates that hereafter the different steeplechase courses of the metropolitan tracks will be regularly inspected by the association. Next year every jump must be up to the requirements of the National Hunt and Steeplechase rules. There will be none of the "soft" jumps which brought disaster to so many horses, jockeys and speculators at Gravesend last month. During the last two seasons but two courses, Saratoga and MorriB Park, were actually up to standard regulations. How different was the chasing this past summer at Saratoga from that seen at Gravesends fall term. At Saratoga the horses and jockeys realized what they had in front of them, with the result that keen racing and comparatively few accidents were seen. The Gravesend jumps were so low that the horses learned to skim through the brush at breakneck speed. Accidents befell every race. The Gravesend steeplechase became the laughingstock of the racing world. It will be altogether different next year. Regulation jumps and courses will keep away indifferent horses and steady the first-class performers. Tho authorities are moving and much that should havo boon done will bo accomplished before the season of 1903 rolls around. The stowards of tho National Hunt and Steeplechase Association are Messrs. J. H. Alexander, August Belmont, Clarence H. Mackay, B. F. Clyde, J. G. Follansbeo, J. O. Green, J. G. Hecksher, R. C. Hooper, 8. S. Howland, Foxhall P. Keene, W. H. Sands and William C. Whitney. With theso men thoroughly interesting themselves in the sports promotion, much improvement may be expected. Looking back over the past seasons steoplechasing, the race at Saratoga in which the 15 to 1 shot Clasher won easily from Rising Sun, by virtue of the latter being held in the rear until too late to catch the leader, is the most disagreeable recollection. In the investigation later nothing incriminating was found. Under the rigorous administration promised for next year the sport will bo admirable in every way. Here are the horses which are now likely to be seen in action at the opening of the eastern steeplechase season of 1903 : Nines Bacchanal Handsquoeze Emerson Lord Chancellor Curfew Bell Adeck Scotch Bush Topmast Van 8hJp Libretto II. Cousin Jess Woostor Boy Rock Storm Geonre W. Jenkins W. H. Dixon Headland Robert Morrison Festive Silent Friend Trayella Borough Facile Self Protection Herculean Zinziber Wood Pigeon Adjidaumo Neponset Rowdy Tankard Passe Partout R. B. Sack Filon dOr Rising Sun Ronkonkoma Judgo Phillips Orman Star Chamber Betsy Ross- St. Sulpice Clasher Tonto Gypsic Plato Semper Ira Jim Megibben Fulminate Hark Forward Land of Clover Perion Dangerline Lothian Philma Paxton Inspector Stevens Nnto Decameron Collegian
