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Here and There on the Turf Rights of Epinard. Suggestions of Privacy. Use of the Skull Cap. Chicago Racing Success. With Everett Haynes at Saratoga there will be a sharpening up in the work of Pierre "Wertheimcrs Epinard. Haynes has been Epi-nards jeekey in most of his triumphs on the other side of the Atlantic, and knows the colt thoroughly. His first visit as soon as he reached Saratoga was to the horse, and he expressed himself as delighted with the appearance of Eugene Leighs charge. And with the coming of Haynes and the natural buckling down to real work of the invader, there will follow some changes in the routine. It is not intended that there will be any less courtesy about the training quarters of the invader, but it would be well if the curious visitors gave the challenger and his retinue a bit more privacy. Epinard will be on view in the training hours, but there should be nothing done to in any manner interrupt the stable routine. It would not be fair to the colt, and it would not be fair to Eugene Leigh and his staff. Epinard must be brought up to his engagements in his best form and that would be hard of accomplishment if Mr. Leigh is bothered by visitors that probably his courtesy would prevent his being other than hospitable to. Not a line of this has been suggested by Mr. Leigh, but it is written in the interest of sporting fair play. No one would wittingly do anything that would tend to hurt the chances of Epinard, but the training of a horse for races, such as Epinard has before him, is an arduous task, and it would bz the real sporting thing to do if those curious or for any other interest, would wait for an invitation before visiting Mr. Leighs stable. The injury that came to Keating when he fell with Glen Reagh last week was another convincing argument for the use of the fibre skull cap that is a protection against head injury in a fall. Keating in many of his races through the field wore one, but he was not so equipped when he had his disastrous tumble. There have been several cases of ridsrs, particularly through the field, that have fallen and the skull cap has prevented serious if not fatal injuries. On occasions these protecting caps have been dented by the kick of a horse, but they offered a protection that was an absolutely sure nne against a skull fracture. The Maryland Jockey Club last spring purchased twenty-five of these caps, which were made to order and of various sizes, for the use of riders. They were used by many of the jockeys and at the close of the meeting many of them were presented to the jockeys for their future use. It really would be well if there should be a rule at every track requiring the use of the skull cap. It is of almost feather lightness and fits the head so snugly that it is hardly seen when topped by the racing cap of silk. William Myers predicts a great future for the racing in Chicago. He is in Saratoga interesting horsemen in the 5,000 Special that is being arranged for August 23, ami it is assured that his visit will be a thoroughly successful one. In the meantime, Mr. Myers looks over the Saratoga course with a good deal of pride, for it was while he was in charge as super-. intcntlent that many of the changes and im- ! . ! provements were made that converted Saratoga into the most beautiful racing ground in this country. Speaking of the way racing has been received in Chicago Mr. Myers is particularly enthusiastic about the manner in which it has been received and is convinced this leaves no doubt of the continued success of the sport.
