view raw text
DNDER JOCKEY CLUB BAN NORFOLK STEWARDS REFUSE TO PERMIT JOCKEY HOPKINS TO ACCEPT MOUNTS. Representative of Eastern Governing Body Takes Action on Ground That Boy Participated in Unrecognized Racing at Marlboro. Norfolk, Va., November 14. Public form received several severe jolts at Norfolk this afternoon. The continuous changing of track conditions here has made the task of picking winners a harder proposition than usual. Todays score showed only two winning favorites, O Em iu the fourth and Agnar in the sixth. James Dockcry, almost equal favorite with Efficiency, in the second race, might have won had not Byrne,, who was on Camellia, fouled him. -The interference looked palpable to those in the grandstand, but the stewards evidently did not consider it serious enough to change the placing. It occurred soon after the start. James Dockery was next to the inner rail and Camellia, a quick beginner, rushed up: and abruptly cut across in front of Gordon, who was forced to cither suddenly pull up James Dockcry or go over the fence. Had the interference occurred nearer the finishing mark there is no question but that the foul would have been allowed, but at that it was serious enough to beat what looked like the best horse in the "race, and it put his backers in no happy frame of mind. The opening race, a dash of five furlongs for two-year-olds, furnished a stirring contest, the first three , passing the winning mark in a compact bunch. Bush, which made all the pace, just managed to last long enough to beat Gift by the narrowest of margins. Gift was between tho winner and Loathly Lady in the stretch drive and DIggins was handicapped a bit. But for this he probably would have won. nilarlous and Madman proved disappointments in the feature race, a six-furlongs handicap for all ages, for which they were the choices. Madman broke slowly and shortly after the start stumbled and went to his knees; after which he appeared to sulk. At all events, he dropped out of it and was beaten off. The winner turned up in Helen Barbee. which led all the way aud won from Stilly Night in a driving finish. The sixth race also furnished an exciting finish with the first three necks and heads apart. Agnar led all the way and just lasted long enough to stall off Servlcence and Nadzu. The latter came from behind ami was going the fastest of all at the end. But for being carried wide in entering tha homestretch ho would have won. There was an Influx or horses and racegoers today from various points. Thomas Murray and Charles R. Ellison came from Cincinnati and Tom Shaw arrived from New York. Mr. Ellison brought the news that some of the horsemen who contemplated racing in Cuba, and who had arranged to ship from New Orleans, had decided to come to Norfolk. This lot includes the stables of J. W. Frve, William Gerst, II. n. Sclby, G. M. Johnson. L. Jones and Wayne Lewis. There is also a carload made up of horses belonging to various other owners. The consignment will leave as a special from Latonia and will comprise seven cars. W. B. Carson also wired that he had shipped his string, numbering fourteeu, from Marlboro. Jockey Hopkins arrived from Marlboro this morning and was to have ridden Efficiency in the second race, but was not permitted to accept any mounts. The stewards gave as their reason for the ruling1 that Hopkins had disqualified himself by participating in an unrecognized meeting. This would seem to Indicate that all owners, horsemen, officials and horses taking part in the racing at Marlboro since last Saturday are under the ban so far as the Jockey Club is concerned. Steward Frank Bryan, who represents the Jockey Club here, was Inclined to be lenient with Hopkins. The lad claimed that he was not aware of the conditions until after he had ridden a couple of races and that when ho found that the meeting was an unrecognized one ho immediately left. Mr. Bryan wired these facts to the Jockey Club with a recommendation that Hopkins be permitted to ride here, which probably will be allowed. . Fred W. Gerhardy, who left for Charleston on Saturday last, returned this morning. He brings . , back glowing accounts of the progress that is being made on the new plant. One hundred new stables have already been completed and by Saturday next 100 more will be finished. It is the purpose of those in charge to go right along with the stables until 900 are available for occupancy. The lumber for the plant is obtained from oue of the largest mills in the south, located half a mile from the course. The foreman who constructed the grandstand at Moncrief Park and at Laurel is in charge of tho work. The gradingof the first turn has been completed and fifty more teams were placed on tho work this morning. Mr. Gerhardy says that tho engineer in charge promises to have the plant fully completed within thirty days.
