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Here and There on the Turf Bobbins Punishment. How Trainers Offend. How Miami Is Growing. Altawood for France. The throwing down of Foxmore at Jefferson Park Tuesday was evidence of the imperative need for constant vigilance on the part of the stewards, and the prompt and drastic punishment for foul and rough riding. The stewards lost no time in meting out punishment and the revocation of the license of E. Robbins, the offender, may mean that his days as a jockey are over. That at first blush might appear a particularly severe ruling for the offense, but when it is considered that the rough riding might readily have resulted in a fatal accident it se2ms that the crime fitted the punishment. McDermott, the victim of the rough riding, was lucky indeed, with the galloping horses back of his mount, that he was not fatally hurt and that must be taken into consideration in the punishment. Robbin, in extenuation of his ride, said that he could not keep Hayward, his mount,, straight and that he was not to blame for the swerving. There might be something in that defense, but it was evident that instead of pulling the celt off Foxmore, he continued to ride him out to have him home first by half a dozen lengths. It is entirely possible that Hayward was more to blame than his rid2r, but the fact remains that he bumped the only horse that had a possible chance to beat him, and too often riders have been guilty of just such foul riding in the scramble for victory. On other occasions, already at the Jefferson Park meeting, the stewards have shown by their ruling that they will insist on the jockeys riding straight and true and this punishment of Robbins is sure to have a beneficial effect. On occasions trainers themselves should be called into the stand when a jockey commits a foul. There have been many occasions when thcs2 trainers have virtually suggested rough riding, or giving unfair post instructions to their riders. Of course, this would be hard to prove on any occasion, but questioning would do no harm for the general good of the sport. And there is another angle to rough riding where time and again the trainer is an accessory. That is when a green, inexperienced jockey is put up on some bad actor. On a horse that requires the best effort of an experienced rider to show to advantage, the little fellow who has tha mount is lacking in both strength and experience when it comes to handling the outlaw and, in consequence, the chances of the other horses and the safety of the other riders is seriously threatened. It would be well if the stewards of every meeting would exercise more of a supervision over the engagement of the riders for these notoriously bad horses and there are many of them. When it is found that a trainer has given the mount to a jockey who is plainly unabh to properly control his mount, they fchould order another jockey into the saddle. One of the eld tricks of racing is to qualify the horse under an inexperienced rider and then, when he is considered fit for a winning effort, to substitute a finished rider, in order that there will bz no mistake. This has to a measure been stamped out by many associations when the stewards insist on consistency in the selection of riders. It frequently happens that the stable without its own contract rider, may be compelled to crn- ploy a jeekey not entirely to its liking and change over from one to another as opportunity affords, but when it is apparent that a trainer has been qualifying under green lads and then puts up a finished ridsr, it is time for the stewards to step in and name the pilot. The manner in which horses are being shipped to Miami leaves no further doubt of the abundance of excellent racing material when the new jockey club begins its season January 15. Long before the construction of th track was half completed, the new club had been promised" consignments from many of the big racing establishments. Many doubted that the horses would be shipped, but that the promises were given out of compliment and with a desire to give the new venture publicity. Now the horses are arriving and already the track has the nucleus for a great meeting. The fact that Jchn S. Ward shipped from Bowie to Miami was a big thing for the new meeting. In that string there is Wise Counsellor, the conqueror of Epinard on two occasions, Indian Trail and Worthmorc surely three that would lend tone to any meeting. Wise Counsellor went off after his race at Laurel when he administered his second beating to the French champion, but he has been rested and John Ward has every hope that he will be right at himself before he is asked to race over the Florida course. II. G. Bed-wcll, whosa Senator Norris showed his real form at the Bowie meeting, is another that went with the Bowie lot and he has a thoroughly prepared winter string in his care. J. McMillan, whose lamented Flint Stone raced himself into a full measure of fame at New Orleans last winter, is still another whose horses left from Bowie for Miami at the close of that meeting. These are only some of almost 100 thoroughbreds that left Maryland for the new course at the close of the Bowie season. Many of the New York stables that will be on hand have not yet made the trip, though the shipping arrangements have been completed and it is safe to say that never was there a winter race meeting so bountifully supplied for its initial season as will be Miami. While it will be some days before all the returns are in for the Saratoga stakes, which closed Monday, the count already makes certain that the returns will be satisfying. It is remembered that it was not until several days after the closing of the stakes of the Westchester Racing Association that a complete count was possible. Many of the nominations, each year, arc made from distant points and that was more the case last fall than ever before. Numerous nominations came from England and some from France and it is safe to say that there will be a like liberal foreign entry in the Saratoga fixtures. Now it has been promised that Joseph E. Widener will send Altawood to France next year to try for the big prizes for which he is eligibb. The news comes in a cable from Paris to the effect that the scu of Master Rob- j ert and Crestwood Girl would be sent to France to campaign under the direction of Jerry Welsh, Mr. Wideners trainer in France. Incidentally this campaign has been widely commended by the French sporting newspapers. While, of course, there will be regret that this rare stayer will be lost to the turf for the 1925 ssason, there is cause for congratulation in the fact that he is sure to glorify the American strain in France. Winner of the mile and an eighth of the Blue Grass Stakes, the two miles and a quarter of both the Latonia and the Pimlico Cups and of thz mile and a half of the Bowie Handicap, this colt surely proved himself. Then in both the Kentucky Derby and the third Internationl Special, though beaten, he proved his sterling qualitks. Too often the American thoroughbred has earned the distinction of being at best a sprinterand unable to stay. There could be no better choice to send abroad than this same Altawood to demonstrate that this country can produce superior stayers as well as sprinters. Master Robert, the sire of Altawood, was a first-class stayer himself. He is a son of Mazagan and Flocarline, by St. Florian, second dam Carline, by King Ban, and third dam Lady Caroline, by Australian. Crestwood Girl, the dam of Altawood, is a daughter of Transvaal and at once goes into the famous Himyar family through Commando, while on the distaff side Transvaal was roy-aTy bred, being from Royal Rose, the daughter of Royal Hampton and Belle Rose, by Beau-desert. Altawood, if he is sent to France, has every reason to brilliantly represent the American thoroughbred.
