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Here and There on the Turf Havre de Grace Opening. Padding the Entries. Question of Added Starters. Sarazens Training. With the running of the first race at Havre de Grace there went to the post nine two - year -olds of the eleven that had never before faced the barrier. With only two that had raced it was not remarkable that the first four should be first time starters. And it was a New York, or more properly speaking, a New Jersey victory when the colors of L. S. Thompson were first with Edisto, bay son of Johren and Tunnin. It was ft speedy field that raced and their bftrrier manners showed an education that is frequently lacking with the baby racers. This same Edisto has the cut of a real runner and the way he rushed along when roused with the whip in the stretch suggests and admirable amount of courage. Fred Hopkins, who trained this one at Bennings with Toppanite. a stablemate that bore the colors of H. P. Whitney, has his horses fit and ready and, with that good beginning, it is natural to expect that the stable will play an important part in the meeting. In this same race John F. Schorr started a big bay son of Lough Foyle and L Aiglet te that is known as Peter Paul. He showed a pleas ing turn of speed and is a sort that ought to improve with a bit more conditioning. And j there were others in the field that impressed until altogether the first showing of two year -olds at Havre de Grace was decidedly impressive. The opening of the meeting of the Harford Agricultural and Breeders Association was in deed a brilliant one and, while the weather was chilly and the skies were overcast, there was an immense throng to welcome the thoroughbreds. It was more like a New York opening than the racing at Bowie, for many journeyed down for the day of racing from Broadway and not a few of them made plans to remain for the rest of the week. There are not as many New York stables on hand as there have been in some years, but reservations have been made and horses from Iyong Island will be seen in action before the end of the meeting. At the dinner given by John McEntee Bowman Monday night the host of the occasion epoke a word about complimentary entries that is well to remember. The complimentary entries mean nothing and they are not fair to the rating public. This i* right along the lines of the evils of padded programs as compared with the nuisance of added starters. From time to time there has been agitation for some sort of racing legislation to prohibit added starters, but not half enough has been raid against the padding of programs. That is infinitely more pernicious and more to be guarded against than the adding of a horse. To advertise as starters horses that are not going to the post deliberately cheats the racing crowd. To add a starter occasionally only adds to the attractiveness of the program. The adding of horses to a stake race, while lawful, should be discouraged, but the real need for reform is the publishing of the name., of horses on a program when it is known these horses will not start. It has been pointed out before that should adder! starters be prohibited it would naturally result in the publication of the names of many horses that were only possible starters i j i rather than probable starters. That is where the harm would come. The trainer who had an eligible would name him through the entry box, if adding was prohibited, when there was only the most remote chance of sending him to the post. Programs would at once become cumbersome and they would not be a true index of the entertainment that was tc be offered. Mr. Bowman has the right idea. Thrre is scant compliment in any entry that is not going to the post. It only fools the association that takes the entry and it is a promise to the public that is not fulfilled. Too much care cannot be taken in seeing to it that the racing is just what is promised! in the program that is printed. Now that Max Hirsch has lengthened out the training gallops of Mrs. Vanderbilts un-beaten gelding, Saraien, there remains no fear, that he will not be ready for his engagement in the Kentucky Derby on May 17. From time to time there have been disturb-; ing rumors of how the son of High Time and Rush Box was making ready, but his rec?nt mile and a quarter was ample to set them all; at rest. As one trainer put it recently, Sara-zen is S3 well advanced even at this time that there is onlv a fear that he mav be "too ready" on the day of the race. But Hirsch knows what he is about. He knows his horse and he may be depended upon to have his speed marvel at his best for the Derby, barring accident. The result of the Harford Handicap, when J. I MjMillens Flint Stone was such a gallant win- ner, suggests that it will not do to discount the best New Orleans form. This good son of Friar Rock did about all that was a«ked of him in his long winter campaign and has begun his northern campaign brilliantly in the East by taking this sprint. Three quarters is too short a route for Flint Stone to show to hisi best advantage and what was most impressive in his performance, was that he does not seems ! in the least jaded by his racing. He races and ! looks as fresh as a horse coming out of retirement and it would not be surprising if he went on to big things this year in the best company. j | i ; : . i | |
