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! i , : : j : ! J : : , , j 1 j. " J; , t ii c : n s i n t t e t n t u n a a b a at t o d WEIGHT-FOR-AGE RACES AT PIMLICO Frank Bran Will Suggest a Series of Such Contests for Autumn Meoting. NEW YORK. N. Y., January 21. There being every indication that the new scale of weights will be adopted by the Jockey Club, the question of more weight-for-age races is bring freely discussed among racing men and horsemen. It lias been suggested that every association should make an effort to institute weight-for-age features at the fall meetings, cither by giving one rich stake or a series of races at different distances witli penalties for winners. The latter conditions would probably bring about the desired result, as thev would probably show the staying qualities of horses tis well as their sprinting abilities. For instance, if a horse should win a series of three weight-for-age stakes, the two latter with penalties imiiosed, it would prove conclusively that he was a phenomenal horse or mare or that the scale was still a trifle out of kelter. Should associations decide to give but one stake at weight-for-age it might not have the desired conclusion, but with a series of three races at one meeting over the same track the outcome would, in all probability, be satisfying as to the correctness of the scale, and would also indicate tiie best- horse of the year in all divisions. Speaking to judge Frank Bryan on the promotion of weight-for-age races, he believed that a series of such races for goodly sums would not only be interesting to horsemen and breeders, but would prove attractions of interest as well as provide spectacular contests. "I shall suggest a series of two and probably three such races for the Pim-lieo fall meeting." said Mr. Bryan. "There are many reasons for their recommendation. In the first place a series of three races would bring out the sprinting abilities of contestants, the first at three-quarters of a mile, the second at a mile and the third at a mile and an eighth or a mile and a quarter, with a penalty for the winner of either of the races. Another point it might bring put Is the ability of horses to go a long route, which heretofore had only been considered. sprinters. SUFFICIENT INDUCEMENTS NECESSARY. "But the inducements must be encouraging and the entrance fee commensurate with the amount added by the associations. The one fee should entitle horses to run in one or all races without additional suliscription for starters. Conditions must be framed that will encourage both entries and starters. I think that all associations, beginning " liossibly at Saratoga or the Belmont Park fall meeting, could arrange such events, and though the fields might not le as large as in some of the socialized stakes the attractions would be interesting to horsemen and patrons alike. Naturally, the New York tracks could not apply as much money to such races as could Pimlico or other of the Maryland tracks, but sufficient could be offered as an inducement to attract a competitive number of starters. The suggestion could be given trial in any event, even if the conditions had to be drawn at the last moment and a special race weight-for-age carded if there was enough material in each class from the two-year-olds and over to create competition. Tills question will lie discussed for the full meeting at Pimlico." Another suggestion has been offered for owners Continued on second page. $ WEIGHT-FOR-AGE races at pimlico .. Continued from first page. to take out nominations as in the Saratoga Cup and other . sjKjftsincrijs stakes, with the provision that: an outside horse could lc" leased for such race or series of races in case some of the best of the year should happen to ,le in the hands of poorer owners without -a nomination. . The idea being to bring out the best horse of the year in all classes as well as the best, in any one individual class. Mr. Vosburgh lias always claimed there were insufficient weight-for-rige rac6s to decide the important question of champion of all classes. In a few words, who could tell which was the best horse of last year in all classes at .weight-for-age Cudgel, George Smith, Sun Briar, War Cloud, Jack Hare Jr., Johren, Hilly Kelly,-Eternal, Duuboyne or War Pennant? Who knows?
