view raw text
SOME POINTED VIEWS OF MR. VOSBURGH. Statements of several noted trainers, complaining that too much money is given for two-year-old racing and too little for the three-year-olds, moved W. S. Vosburgh, hamlicapper for the Jockey Club, to the following rejoinder: "I read with interest some interviews with trainers of race horses in which they complain of the absence of valuable stakes for three-year-olds, alleging, what is quite obvious, that tiie stakes of of value are nearly all for the two-year-old class and that a three-year-old has so few events of value that he is compelled to race with the older horses. . "In doing this I fear they complain of a condition which their own efforts have contributed to pro duce. They do not care to start a horse for a race unless tliey think they have the best of it; they are looking for a sure thing. If more stakes for three-year-olds were given they would probably produce races in which one colt of class would be opposed by two or three inferior ones running for second and thiid moneys this, especially so after the Withers, Belmont and Brooklyn Derby had established the form. "The racing associations have no prejudice in the matter. They offer such stakes as they believe will produce good races. Within the past few years it has been found that stakes for three-year-olds at even weights do not draw fields, especially after July 1, when a few races have classified the colts, and handicaps and penalties and allowances are the only means of bringing the hree-year-olds together. "Events for two-year-olds make better races, hence the clubs in making them the most valuable have oidy catered to the demand. The consequence is that while they may not be so with the general public, the stakes for two-year-olds are the most popular with owners and trainers, and to win the Futurity 1ms become the highest aim of racing ambition. "The evil effects of this upon breeding is evident. However, that is aside from the subject under consideration.. But it is a curious fact that owners and trainers are never alive- to the necessity of valuable stakes for three-year-olds until they find themselves in possession of one or more crack colts of that age. Poor old Human Nature! "Properly, the important stakes for three-year-olds should be closed for yearlings say in August or come date before trial. But it has often happened that when so closed some of the best colts of the year were omitted, and the plan of Washington Parks American Derby of closing the winter before the race is run answers better for the purpose of these times. "In csrlier days the Withers, Belmont and Louisville stakes were closed for yearlings in August, and valuable stakes were the result. But that which was once right is lot always right. It may be in morals, in which the primal obligations do not vary; but in institutions social, political, or even sporting, the fluxion of time and habits necessitate;? frequent readjustments, re:;daptations and revisions, caused by changes in environment. "Many of our owners have not kepi racing stables until rather late in life, and, distrusting their own knowledge, leave everything to their trainers. To the trainers racing is merely a matter Df business. The tenure of his position depends upon the results of his management; he cannot hold it unless he wins races. Therefore, he is diffident of taking chances he is looking for sure things. He will not start his colt on the outside chance, and the stakes sesult in races of little or no interest. T-ms it is, the racing associations have f.iund stakes for three-year-olds yield such poor results that they have ceased to offer them; until after June they have become rare, and would not be rare if they had been esteemed."
