view raw text
GOSSIP OF THE TURF. Advance Guard, the sturdy campaigner over long distances on all the prominent tracks in the country for several years past, is now a bone of contention between the two well known turfmen, James Carruthers and Alex Shields, and will cause in all probability a dissolution in the partnership of his two owners. The quarrel over Advance Guard comes up by reason of the recent registration of the great son of Great Tom and Nellie Van, which was published in the Racing Calendar last Thursday. Advance Guard was registered as the property of James Carruthers and Alex Shields, each horseman having one-half interest, the partnership notice stipulating that the horse should be raced in the name of James Carruthers. This registration, received by the Jockey Club, was made public in its official organ, and aside from some slight surprise over the fact that the horse would be run in Mr. Carruthers name caused little comment. But Mr. Shields objects, and claims to have adequate grounds for complaint and the protest which he has made to the Jockey Club. His claim is based on the fact, as stated by himself, that he owns more than a one-half interest in Advance Guard, and that according to the rules governing partnership, the horse should be run in his name. Mr. Shields claims that Advance Guard cannot run in the name of Mr. Carruthers, as he holds the largest interest in the horse. He was greatly surprised to learn that Advance Guard had been registered with the Jockey Club in this way, and said that he would take steps at once to change it. Be- OONTINDED ON FOURTH PAQE. GOSSIP OF THE TURF. Continued from first page. side an equal interest in the horse, Shields claims a 10 per cent, interest as trainer of Advance Guard, and that he has heen assured that this entitles him to run the horse in his own name. It is evidently Shields intention to sell his interest in Advance Guard or if Carruthers wants the horse he must pay a good price for Shields interest in him. According to a New Orleans correspondent, efforts are being made by influential horsemen in the west to, if possible, secure the reinstatement of S. C. Hilderth. by the Jockey Club. These efforts will be made along the lines of a letter of application signed by a prominent western horseman. There has been not a little talk all winter that Hildreth might be reinstated, but Hil-dreth himself, when asked about the matter, said he did not know what the eastern turf authorities would do, but, of course, he would be pleased to race again in the east if The Jockey Club should reinstate him. In the last two years in the west Hildreth has taken rank among the two or three most successful turfmen in this section. He has been the recipient of a good deal of adverse criticism. That he is a good horseman as well as a good trainer no one will deny. Speaking recently of the stories about his having been broke at Chicago last summer he said: "I wasnt quite as badly broke as they thought I was. I loaned J. W. Schorr 0,000 at 6 per cent, interest. Mr. Schorr, of course, is a wealthy man, but he was engaged in a business enterprise in St. Louis, and needed immediate cash." It may be that many other stories concerning Hildreth have no stronger foundation than the one relating to his insolvency. The efforts of the western turfmen in his behalf may have no effect with the Jockey Club, but at all events they can do no harm. The meeting of the Crescent City Jockey Club will come to an end next Saturday, with the running of the Crescent City Derby. An additional week of racing by the New Louisiana Jockey Club will end the season of winter sport there and the scene will then shift Memphis and Bcnnings. rto The features of the present weeks sport, and two of the most important events of the entire meeting, are the Bush Cup, at two miles and a quarter, to be run Thursday, and the Derby. A field of ten or a dozen will probably go to the post in the Derby, irrespective of track conditions. With a field of ten starters the race will be worth gross nearly 36,000. The probable starters are: Embarrassment, Jove, Sheriff Bell, Pageant, Witfull, Standard Bearer, Rosanco, Glendon, Shrine, Rightful, Birch Broom and Flocar-line. The race has non-winning and maiden allowances of seven and twelve pounds respectively. Sheriff Bell will be ridden by Odom. "Wonderly will have the mount on Flocarline. The race appears to be the most open Derby ever run at New Orleans. Witfull is favorite at 3 to 1, while Sheriff Bell at 4, and Flocarline and Rightful each with 6 to 1 are in demand, the prices of the others ranging from 15 to 50 to 1. With a heavy track horsemen are figuring the race down to a duel between Witfull and Flocarline. Birch Broom, however, is a shifty mud runner, and so is Embarrassment. The latter is a big, strong, powerful colt, one that may show better later on. In spite of the fact that the Hildreth connections are all confident as to Witfulls chances, Flocarline is well thought of. Memphis-trained candidates are always at a disadvantage in running for a Derby at New Orleans, as they have to meet animals that are hardened and fitted by racing. But trainer Poole is no novice in his business, and it can be safely wagered that Flocarline will be fit if-she goes to the post. She was one of the best two-year-olds shown in the west last year. McChesney and Dick Bernard, E. E. Smathers recent purchases have arrived at Montgomery Park, accompanied by twelve head in Durnell and Herzs stable. McChesney stood the trip from New Orleans perfectly, and was unloaded and led to his stall without a mishap of any kind. Shortly after his arrival "Boots" Durnell received a telegram of inquiry from E. E. Smathers, now in California, asking the manner in which his horses stood shipment, and further authorizing Durnell to purchase horses that give evidence of having a chance to win western Derbys or Oaks. It . is evident that Smathers will try to cut a figure in western racing affairs before he makes his eastern debut, and reports at Memphis say that Topsoil, S. C. Hildreths American Derby candidate, is the horse that Smathers most desires. P. Corrigan, who went to Memphis with the Durnell string, says that Smathers will be represented by a formidable racing establishment of youngsters, three-year-olds and all-aged horses by the time Washington Park meeting opens. Smathers visit to California, said Corrigan, is for the purpose of gathering together any cracks that can be purchased at the Frisco tracks. The six stakes of the Detroit Jockey Club to be run at Grosse Point June 8 to 20 have been announced as follows: The International Derby, ,000 guaranteed, for three-year-olds; penalties and allowances; 00 to the second, 00 to the third; 1 1-4 miles. The Campau, ,500 guaranteed, a handicap for three-year-olds and upward; 1 1-8 miles. The Hotel Stakes, ,000 added, a handicap for three-year-olds and upward; six furlongs. The Kindergarten, ,000 added, a sweepstakes, for two-year-olds, penalties and allowances; five furlongs. The Country Club, ,000 added, a selling sweepstakes for three-year-olds and upward; one mile. The Press, ,000 added, a selling sweepstakes for three-year-olds and upward; six furlongs. The program will contain six races each afternoon, the over-night handicaps, purses and selling events being worth 00, 00 and 00. The part of Arnold and "Co.s stable quartered at New Orleans was sold last Friday at public auction to satisfy claims of creditors. There were two sales, one by the civil sheriff as the result of several attachments, and the other a sale of horses in the custody of receiver W. J. Gayle. The largest price brought was by Flintlock, which sold for ,300. Terra Incognita brought 50 and Ben Lear 25. The other racers sold were: Owensboro, Brown "Vail, Macon, John Grigsby, "Vineland, Hengist, Maghoni, Graden, Blanco, Maggie Clopton and Lighthunt.
