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HORSEMEN IN A MISPLACED ATTITUDE. In the estimation of Daily Racing Form, the action of a part of the owners racing their horses over the Kentucky tracks, in demanding the summary removal from office of one of the regularly-appointed officials of the Latonia Jockey Club, was a singularly unwise move and in the highest degree prejudicial to the security and prosperity of Kentucky racing. It is not going too far to say that those owners attempted and are attempting to invade a domain which is beyond their business. Their proper part is to race their horses for the liberal prizes offered by the Latonia Jockey Club. If they feel that they do not care to do so, because an official is obnoxious to them their correct course is to betake themselves and their horses to some other track without any fuss. Mr. Pearce acted without cavil at Lexington. At Churchill Downs he took action in certain cases, now of record, which may have been wise or unwise. However, that may lie. there was nothing in the cases to justify the unreasonable attitude and demands of the horsemen. It is worth noting, in that connection, that two of their number were handed the stiff fines of 50 each, by the stewards of the New Louisville Jockey Club for reprehensible practices in connection with the abandoned Derby Consolation race. Do the other horsemen endorse the practices which brought about this punishment. If they do. Kentucky racing is in an unsuspected bad way in respect to its integrity. The confederated horsemen, deeming they had grievances, should have proceeded in an orderly manner to bring their case before the Kentucky State Racing Commission, a perfectly competent body, vested by law with the authority to dispose of each matters. In that case definite charges against Mr. Pearce would have been called for and investigated. That much is his due. It is also the due of Kentucky racing. So far no allegations of any particular misdeeds by him have been made. Instead, there is a peremptory demand for his dismissal and the substitution of one of two named persons. It appears to be a case of extremely pernicious turf politics fostered by mischievous persons and certain to prove a detriment to Kentucky racing. It is without preeedout in racing that an organization of owners should attempt to dictate to a jockey club what men shall fill its offices. If it can do so in the case of Mr. Pearce. it could with equal propriety and logic demand the removal of manager John Hachmeister or manager Matt J. Winn. As the matter stands, the new and hardly organized Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Association has moved against the Kentu ky State Racing Commission. Secretary Pearce is but a pawn in the game. It is being badly played, is untimely and Cue Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Association is in business for which it was not organized, at least to the understanding of many of its reputable members, of which the writer is one.
