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WOULD DISCOURAGE "FRIENDLY CLAIMS." Before another season opensf the Jockey Club might do well to provide against the practice of "friendly claims" in selling races, which was eonspicuosly prevalent last year. Selling events have always been popular witli the medium class of owners, who have used them as a means to secure a good horse now and then without going beyond tbelr means. But of late the plan to enter stake horses for small values witli the idea of betting heavily on them and then protecting them when bid up has caused much dissatisfaction.- In the event of defeat, too, these horses have been "claimed" by friends of the owners who have promptly returned them for little or no recompense. If it could be brought about that a horse so "claimed" should actually pass out of the control of the owner entering him and a registered bill of sale be filed the practice might cease. Last year there was no end of gmmbling because horses were protected in this manner, yet the evil was permitted to flourish without a sign of Interference from the various stewards. New York Sun.
