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JUDICIAL HAMMER FALLS Thunderbolt from the Skies Mild to the Noise It Made. Tabling of Jockeys Loftus and Lykes Applications Causes Big Sensation. XEW YORK. X. V., February 15. A thunderbolt" from a clear sky was the. crack of a pistol compared with the explosion when the Jockey Club handed out Its decision on Thursday laying aside the applications for jockey licenses by John Loftus and Lawrence Lyke, two of the star jockeys of this country. While the atmosphere of suspicion surrounded lth of these, as well as other riders last year, it was considered no more than the average daily gossip. There were races run that did not look good from a spectacular standpoint and were not healthy from a speculative point of view, but they- were forgotten in a few moments that is, presumably; but evidently they were only sidetracked by the rulers of the turf to be looked over again at the proper time, and that time was when certain jockeys made application for licenses. Early in Hie year" "Loftus was set. down by A. K. Maeom-lier. his employer, and Walter Jennings, the trainer oC the Macomber stable, due to wlint Mr. Jennings i-onsidrred a faulty ride on War Cloud in the Belmont Stakes. Many persons disagreed witli Jennings in hU opinion upon that occasion, but the differ--pce of opinions did not change the attitude of Mr. Jennings nor his employer, and Loftus had a rather long vacation from the saddle, but was icrmitted to resume riding during the Saratoga meeting. Lawrence Lyke lias a forced vacation for a short time, being "grounded" by his employer. Commander J. 7C , L. Itoss, upon the advice ot Guy; Eedwell, the trainer p! .Juu.Ross. stable,- -TJie-chargc..were: -in--. sulmrilihutton and the keeping of companynot con-, diiclre ti the health of the sport, ur to the boys own welfare. -Neither of these, rulings emanated from the: official desk, being made by the employers of the two riders. Tiie neit meeting of the licensing committee of the Jockey Club will be awaited with anxious expectation by a select few "who feel and probably know they are under suspicion. It is the first case in many .years wherein, two of the most prominent jockpys of any country have been under official suspicion. Many times the head of the winning jockey list lias been checked up, bat rarely, if ever, two of them Ilotli Lykn and Loftus may prove their inn6cence of any connection witli race manipu-lntlng;.it is to be hoped they can, for both are first-class horsemen. Hut if guIJty, they will no doubt ! cast into the discard wijh Carroll Shilling and others who have been stunned by the judicial hammer.
