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Here and There on the Turf International Special. Chicago Makes a Suggestion. Chances in Existing Stakes. Use of the Skull Cap. With an idea of perpetuating the International races, begun with the coming over of Papyrus in 1923 and carried on by the series cf races run- by Pierre Wertheimers Epinard this year, entries are invited for a race to be "run in 1927. Nominations for thess races, for weanlings at this time, will be closed November 20 by Victor E. Schaumburg, secretary of the Westchester Racing Association. It is hoped that by having the races open to any and all countries that are to send representatives over, new interest may be awakened in the contests. It is agreed that had Epinard won even one of the races that brought him to this country, it would have had a salutary effect on races that are to come. The defeat of the French colt, though his showing was so brilliant, coming after the defeat of Papyrus, will tend to discourage turfmen of England and France from coming to this country. But it must be remembered that each invader was at a tremendous disadvantage and, with just a bit more luck, both would have been winners. Papyrus, as all know who saw his race against Zev, did not run within many pounds of the form he had shown in his trials. That was on account of the slippery condition of the going and the manner in which he had been plated. That afternoon he could have been beaten by almost any moderately good horse, and it was not fair to him or to the owner who sent him over. But it is results rather than excuses that are required, and when the invaders are beaten it is natural that they will lose heart, for the contest that will take up so much of the time of the horse that is shipped over. Any time an invader comes to thi3 country it really means that he must forfeit practically all of his home engagements. The new races suggested would afford foreign horses a much batter opportunity than was enjoyed by either Papyrus or Epinard, and in making up the conditions for the 1927 offerings it is hoped that they will bring satisfactory results. There is another suggestion that comes from the Chicago Business Mens Racing Association that conducted a successful meeting at the Hawthorne track in the present racing year. This is a proposal for the selection of a suitable American thoroughbred to invade the English or the French turf, in quest of a championship. This proposition, which has been suggested to August Belmont, chairman of the Jockey Club and president of the Westchester Racing Association, is: Briefly, it is a series of elimination tests at weight-for-age for our thoroughbreds to find a suitable champion to send abroad. It is proposed that these races be held at Belmont Park, Latonia and Hawthorne, respectively, and that the distances be three-quarters, a mile and a mile and a quarter, or a mile and three-Eixteenths, as could bs agreed upon. It also is proposed that each association add 7,500 to its races and of this prize money there be ,500 from each association placed in the hands of Major Belmont as custodian, to help defray the expenses of shipping the chosen horse abroad. j All of this sounds well and it would be fine if an American champion should go to England and France and prove his worth among the best of those countries, but the Chicago Business Mens Racing Association has overlooked the fact that the horse so chesen might be without any engagement in either of those countries. He would have to take his chances in overnight handicaps, unless a special race was framed for him to meet the foreign champions. Thus far the turfmen of England, as well as of France, have not taken altogether kindly to the International races .and, until they show better co-operation, there is small reason for an American invasion, except in the races that come along regularly in a racing season. It is hardly to be hoped that a champion chosen by elimination racing in this country would be eligible for the big events in England or France and these elimination races could not be conducted early enough to make possible his entry abroad. The scheme has its good points, but it will not do until the turfmen of other countries show as much interest as has been shown on this side of the Atlantic in these International events. As far as further foreign invasion is concerned, there are several of our American races that have a value that is calculated to attract horses from afar. In 1926 the Belmont Stakes will be modelled after the famous Epsom Derby and for 1927, nominations to which are now invited, it will have an added money value of 5,000. This will make it worth approximately 0,000 to the winner and such a rich prize ought to attract horses from afar. At this value it will surpass the Epsom Derby and the other big races abroad. That is one incentive and the big thing is that such a race should be in every sense a championship affair. The value is commensurate with its sporting value and putting it at such a value should induce breeders everywhere to nominate. Then there is the Lawrence Realization of 535,000 and Kentucky ha3 its 0,000 Kentucky Derby; Pimiico its 150,000 Preakness Stakes so that any foreigner that measures up to our best can readily be crowned the champion, if advantage is taken to the existing stakes in this country. Of course there is a glamor in the special events that brings over a champion, but, as a matter of fact, the American turf is well supplied with great prizes that are open to foreigners, if turfmen can be found to come after them. There was one more evidence of the need for use of the fibre skull cap during the Yonkers meeting. It was when the little apprentice rider John Colen was so badly hurt by the falling of Ben Wood right at the start of a race. This little fellow narrowly escaped death and suffered a skull injury that was particularly severe, though he is recovering at this time. His hurt was at the base of the brain and just where the skull cap offers its best protection. From time to time riders have been saved from possible death by the use of thesa skull caps in races and it would be well if a rule of racing was enacted to make their use imperative. Edward R. Bradley some time ago brought over several of the skull caps from Australia for use by . his jockeys. The Maryland Jockey Club also bought several of assorted sizes that were furnished any jockey who desired to; wear one. This club also presented several! of the riders with caps at the conclusion of the meeting. There seems to be an" erroneous idea that the skull caps were meant for use in the steeplechase field. They are for general use in race riding and it would be well if jockeys were compelled to use them in every race. o
