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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. Jockey Coburn, who was indefinitely suspended by tho stewards of tho California Jockey Club nearly two monthB ago, will bo reinstated before March 1. Such, in any event, is a report which has reached New Orleans from Memphis, and presumably it is based on information which Mr. Bennett has had directly or indirectly from the California officials. It is well known that strong influence iB at work to bring about the lifting of tho ban against Coburn. Western racegoers in general, and tho friends of Mr. Bennett in particular, are hoping that this last piece of gossip is true. Coburn was beyond question one of the best riders in tho west last year, and his continued enforced idleness would work a genuine hardship on Mr. Bennett, who during the Worth Fall meeting renewed the contract which he had on Coburn for another season, beginning March 15. Senator Clark, of Montana, will engage actively in racing this year, and has already consulted Frank ;Hitchcock and Phil Dwyer as to the advisability of purchasing "really made" racers and yearlings. As yet no selection of a trainer has been made, but friends of Louis Elmore, who handled Ethelbert as a two-year-old, as well as many other good horses, say that ho may receive an offer. Sam Doggett, the well-known jockey, will blossom out as a full-fledged owner this Beason. He has a small though a select stable at Gravesend, and is giving all his time and attention to tho early preparation of his horses. Doggett will essay tho triple role of owner, trainer and jockey that is, if he can gain permission from tho Jockey Club to ride his own horses. Ho will make application formally for such permission, and it is more than probable that it will be granted by tho stewards. Many now owners will be seen sporting colors in the steeplechase game the coming season. The success of the gentlemen riders last year has encouraged others of this class, who have always had a predilection for tho sporti to take an active interest in it. One ot the newcomers is Harry W. Bull, a member of the Meadowbroolc hunting set. Mr. Bull is a cross country rider, has participated in tho Election Day meets at Westbury and won distinction as a Rough Rider in Cuba. He has made entries to tho various jumping events, and as a journey between the flags of any of the metropolitan steeplechase courses should have no terrors for him it is more than likely that he will be seen in his own colors. Another new owner to enter the game, and one who will add distinction to the sport, is J. W. Appleton, who has also made entries to the various events. Mr. Appleton comes of an old New York family and has long been a patron of the sport, but has never before shown an active interest in it. The Clydes, of Philadelphia, who raco under the nom do course of the Gonghacres Stable, also have mado entries to cross country events. With these new recruits it is pleasing to note that there are no desertions by those who have long been the backbone of the steeplechase game, from an owners viewpoint". There is a disposition, in fact, on the part of the oldtimers to strengthen their forces and make tho game as interesting as possible for the new members of the fraternity. The black six-year-old horse Hammock, by Hanover Aurania, by Virgil, owned by W. K. Vander-bilt, arrived at Lexington several days ago from New York to go in the stud. With him came a full sister to tho Suburban winner, Gold Heels, owned by H. T. Oxnard, president of the sugar trust, which will be bred this year; an imported mare owned by the samo gentleman, and some mares owned by L. O. Appleby, which are consigned to L V. Shipp, Snnny Slope Stud. It is reported that P. J. Dwyer has been offered 0,0C0 for Handspring, now in the stud at the Melbourne Farm of Col. W. S. Barnes. The offer is . said to have come through trainer Matt Allen, who now has J. R. and F. P. Keenes racing stable in England. It is presumed that Allen is after the horse for English buyers. Allen trained Handsprings great son, Major Daingerfield, last season, and by his victories in the Realization and Annnal Champion Stakes and other races ho closed tho year the largest winning horse of any ago on the American turf in 1902. Ed Corrigan has sold to Barney Schreiber, of St. Louis, tho seven-year-old imported horse Sir Hercules, by Sir Hugo, out of a Galopin mare. In 1901 Sir Hercules won four stakes in England, each of the value of about ,0C0. Mr. Corrigan bought him, but on account of lameness was unable to get him to a race last year. He had intended to train him this season, but Schreiber wanted him for stud purposes, and he decided to sell him.
