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Here and There on the Turf Sequel Mishaps. Torontos Richly Endowed Racing. Canadas Tax on Racing. Advancement of Nassau. King Georges Bad Luck. Starter Mars Cassidy saved the stewards of the Belmont Park meeting from a serious mistake in the fifth race Tuesday when he waited until Sequel, the ultimate winner, was returned to the starting post. The stewards had signaled for the start to be made without the filly, but Cassidy saw her on the track and not far from the post, and did not make the start until she had arrived. "What is surprising about the whole occurrence is that the stewards .themselves did not see the filly being led back by "Red Coat" Murray. She had jogged away from the post, after having unseated Martz, and had left the track to go to her stable, but Murray had gone after her and, at the time that the signal was given to start the others without her, a great proportion of those on the grounds saw her being led back. Of course, the signal to start without her would not have been given had she been seen by the stewards, as she was seen by so many others in the crowd and the signal to start brought forth cries of protest. Then it was that Cassidy saved the situation by delaying the others until Sequel had taken her place in the line. This occurrence may work out to the good of New York racing,, for Joseph E. Widener, one of the officiating stewards, said that there would be telephonic communication established between the stewards stand and the starting post. With a phone available the stewards would have been informed" that Sequel was on the track and, naturally, there would have been no signal to send the others away without the filly. The stewards have every right under the rules to order a start, as they did in the Sequel case. There are seldom any reasons for such a signal, with Mars Cassidy and his efficient corps on the job, but there are runaways. Horses may become disabled while at the starting gate, and there are various other happenings, and it would facilitate the work of the starter greatly if he could get in communication with the stewards. The installation of the telephone should prove of real value to the sport. The Ontario Jockey Club since its incorporation in 1881 has been the foremost racing organization in Canada. Identified with it as officers, members and patrons are the most prominent men in the commercial, political and social life of the Province of Ontario. Its beautiful race course, Woodbine Park, is the ultra-fashionable recreation ground of our northern neighbors. It is not surprising, then, that racing at this popular Canadian track, situated virtually in the heart of the city of Toronto, is of an exceptionally high standard and held under conditions in keeping with its unique traditions and justly deserved repu- j j tation. Such was the case last spring and the prospects are particularly bright for a wonderful fall meeting, beginning Wednesday, September 20. During the coming seven days of racing the Ontario Jockey Club offers 26,-500 in added money, which will bring the total distribution in excess of the 00,000 mark. For the initial days sport the Toronto Autumn Cup, with 5,000 added; the Maple Leaf Stakes, with ,000 added; the Woodbine Autumn Steeplechase, with ,000 added, and four overnight races, each having ,500 added, make up an inviting card and promise an afternoon of capital racing. The program for Saturday, September 23, sparkles with the Stanley Produce Stakes, with ,500 . added ; the Hendrie Steeplechase, with ,000 added, and the Ontario Jockey Club Cup with ,500 added, as the bright particular features. Another stellar program has .been arranged for the closing day, Wednesday, September 27, when the Grey Stakes, with ,000 added; the Coventry Steeplechase, with ,000 added; the Voltigeur Handicap, with ,000 added, and the Durham Cup, with ,500 added, will be decided. Surely some great racing is in store for the patrons of Woodbine Park with the decision of these valuable fixtures in addition to the generously endowed overnight contests. Chances are that the Canadian racing bodies are not laying up inordinate profits this year. In fact, it is reported that some of the meetings across the border have netted a loss. Over there the government needs the money and takes it efficiently. Undoubtedly Canadian racing is at least profitable to the Dominion, however it may be to those who finance and carry on the sport. In the long run this iB a condition that will be amended justly. Before the present tax on racing was levied the various organizations gathered enormous profits. In view of this they can now afford to stand a few lean years while patriotically helping their government to discharge its heavy obligations growing out of the Great War. It is to their credit that little, if any, complaint has been registered by them so far. Over here it would seem that the proportion of tracks income taken is somewhat exorbitant. Nassau is one more selling plater that raced into stake class prominence. His victory in the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park Tuesday gave him a proud place, and incidentally when the prize was worth ,650, it was of greater value than any of the previous nine renewals of the famous old race. Not since the race was won in 1908 by Helmet did it have a greater value, and in the lean years of the turf that intervened it dropped until it was worth scarcely more than ,000. This is just another evidence of the growing prosperity of the American turf. Nassau was brought to the races by Max Hirsch and was claimed out of a selling race by Frederick Johnson for ,100. His victory in the Champagne was evidence enough that no mistake was made when he was taken by Mr. Johnson. English turf patrons take great delight in lusty cheering when a horse belonging to their king wins a race. King Georges horses have not furnished these loyal folks many opportunities for such manifestations this year. In fact, his racers have been of little account for several years past. Hence suggestions. The latest is that "the manager of the Kings Stud should ask his majesty to sell the lot and then purchase some more worthy of a king."
