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FOR THE BETTERMENT OF RACING. How to Secure More Horses of Quality for Contests in California. How to secure high class horses for the Cali fomia racing season is a problem that Ihe New California Jockey Club has failed to solve." aaja the San Francisco Chronicle. "II is claimed that the big jump, and the cost of transportation has kepi inin.v east rn owners from shipping lo Oakland. This cannot: be altogether correct. There niiisl be s. mo other reason, as certain owners of Wore than ordinary standing make the California trip every rent and think nothing about the long journey. "The stakes offend by the California Jockey Club are considered templing enough for owners who tare throughout Hie year. "Why dont we aw. ate more good horses from the east V" was the question put to a will known owner some little time since. " You do not cater enough to good horses. was the reply. TOO many tares are drclared off by the rhrk of the course. In the east there are many races wilh only three starters, and it is unjust to the owner of a good horse to have a race chIIccI oil becaaae his entry looks to he a 1 to 2 chance. "of course, the mau who makes out the book is anxious to have six races, all of which will produce good contests. The public likes to see the class hot ses race and. as patron of the gate and the betting ring the public should be given first considei atioa, "But out here it appears to be the first aim to get out a card that will produce speculation, so as to please the bookmakers. This is an evil which should be remieilied. if the California Jockey Club is anxious to attract a better class of horses to Oakland. "The season here has been such a success that the association will doubtless increase the value of several stakes or add one or two new stakes. As pointed out before the California Derby should be increased in value. The present event is not in line with the importance that racing has assumed in this stale. The owner of the best Hit ee cai olds racing in California should certainly have a Chance to win a siake of greater value Ihan $: ..".00. If the association gave $."..iki0 added and increased the value of the forfeits, the race might excite some Interna t. At ihe present time it does not attract more allcntion Ihan an ordinary overnight iiamli cap. The slakes as al present constituted are top heavy wilh handicap events. II looks as if there should l e at least one weight for age race where the best horses cau meet on even terms. "One of the best, races ever run over a California track was the Turf Congress stake run at Tanforan. It brought together a high class field and resulted in a victory for Bannockbttrn. who lias since Balneal fame as Hie sire of Dr. Gardner, one of the reigning stars on the eastern turf. This season such horses as Voladay, I.ogistilla, W. H. Carey. Von Tromp. Proper. Rapid Water. Nealon ami Kercheval would have been eligible. This bunch would have made a great race and there may be a chance to secure equally as good a field next year. "There is another matter that should be straightened out: Ascot, if the track should be in existence next year, must not be permitted to give stskes so as to clash with Oakland. The southern association received all the worst of the encounter, but owners should be taken into consideration. Trainers should be given the chance to run in both the California and Ascot Derbys. The clashing of stake dates was due to bad faith on the part of one of the moguls of the Ascot track. In an interview with the writer, this leading stockholder staled absolutely that the stake dates would be so arranged so as not to clash with OuUaiid."
