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Here and There on the Turf Swanson Latest Star. Greater Test Needed. Growth of United Hunts. On Naming of Two -Year-Olds. For the moment there is a little Swedish boy, V. Swanson, who has come to the fore as a brilliant riding prospect. When he brought four winners home out of his six mounts Friday he jumped into instant fame. Frequently the winter racing uncovers a jockey that goes on to fame. It was during winter racing that many of the best jockeys first attained prominence and it would be possible to go right through the line of many of the present-day riders of ability that first showed riding genius at a winter track. But there have been many others that, after climbing to the top during the winter, were utterly unable to keep up the pace when they rode against the best in Kentucky, New York and Maryland, where th?y met the best. Little Swanson may be one of those that will go on to great things in the saddle and it is to be hoped that he does. lie showed both skill and courage in his riding Thursday and for the time being he must be taken as a find. If he continues to show the same skill through the long winter racing, he will have at least earned the right to try conclusions with the best of them anywhere, but he cannot be hailed as a possible champion until he tries conclusions with better riders than those that opposed him Thursday. Swanson is just beginning and he has every wish for a continued success and it is hoped that he has the making of a topnotcher, for there is always a crying need for gaod riders It is natural that the inexperienced jockey will have a greater opportunity to shine when he is pitted against mediocre jockeys and that is reason enough for winter tracks being the developing ground. The stars of the saddle seldom ride through the winter months, or, if they do, it is only occasionally. The green boys are not awed at the prospect of going up against an Earl Sande, a Clarence Kummer, a Mack Garner, a "Pony" McAtec or any of the others that have long since earned their spurs in hard-fought-turf battles. They have no fear of the lads that oppose them and it is a mental condition that helps immensely in the climb to fame. Then, if the lad rides his way to the fore in this ordinary company, it inspires a confidence that soon wipes out any awe of the best. They ail look dike to him. He has an abiding faith in his own ability and there is nothing like that abiding faith to h?lp along in the winning of races. Ivan Farke is a striking example of a winter development. Parke, like most of the others, found his way to the top riding against the ordinary jockeys, but when he was graduated and went on "up the lane" he was well equipped to take on the best of them. This he did and he continued to ride with the skill and courage that marked Ins efforts with those of lesser ability. With it all the jockey must be a natural rider. Jockeys arc born and not made. A boy can be taught just so much, but unless he is a natural rider he will never go far in that profession. Ever since the election of John McEntcc Bowman to the presidenc of the United Hunts Racing Association there has been a new life in that organization of amateur i sportsmen. Mr. Bowman has been untiring in his efforts on behalf of the racing that is conducted by the association both spring and fall, and it was largely due to his efforts that the racing came to its present excellent state. Already the blanks are out for a handicap that is to be a feature of the spring sport, which will be conducted at Belmont Park, probably just prior to the opening of the big season at Jamaica. This race, for which entries are invited at this time, is the Initial Handicap of six furlongs. It is for three-year-olds and over, and carries an added money prize of ,000. These entries are to be closed January 2, and with the response that it well deserves, it could readily be a race of both value and importance. Under the conditions it costs 5 to enter and 0 additional to start. These fees, :t will readily be seen, will bring the prize money to a value that will make a strong appeal to horsemen. This race is another that is to have an early announcement of weights. They are to be made public February 2 and in this the rule of the Suburban Handicap has been followed but a rule for the Suburban that is only to he revived next year. The time has come for the naming of the juveniles that will race next year. Each season there are registered many names that should never be accepted and each season there arc always to be found names particularly appropriate and euphonious. There are certain rules laid down for the naming of the two-ycar-clds, but the registrar cannot refuse to accept a name unless it is in vain of one of these rules. That is the reason for some of the names that should never be permitted. Of course, there is a prohibition against duplicate names, but that there is always a bit of confusion that cannot be avoided by the registrar under his rules for the conduct of his office. One season not so long ago there were Vola Day Jr. and Volday II. racing at the same time. That is only one of many like cases that invite confusion. The importation of foreign horses of the same name as horses of this country carries with it the provision that the importations have II. added to their names for proper identification. That seems to be the only way out of the difficulty. But when we already have a "second" in this country the importation must of necessity become "third." That, to say the least, is a bit confusing. Then there is the ever-present list of names that mean nothing and are an offense. It is to be hoped that there will be improvement along these lines for the juveniles that furnish the entertainment next year. An excellent rule that is followed by some racing establishments is to select a name that suggests the family from which the youngster came. It is the logical way to name two-year-olds and it is always possible to have some euphonious combination of sire and dam. No matter how lowly the two-year-old he has done nothing to warrant his being named "In the Bag." Should another be named "Across the Board?" There is no valid excuse for "All Right, Sir," and "Come On Sam" would not fit well on a champion. "Full Again" is hardly excusable. "Get Em," "In the Dark," "Hot Dog," "Lot of Style" and "Move on Seth" are hardly fit names, but each of these raced during the season and these are only a few. It might be said with some Excuse that "Hot Dog" is a son of Sandwich. "Lot of Style" is a daughter of Bit of Style, and Move on Seth is a son of Seth and Keep Moving. This is what is desired in perpetuating the family name, but it is not exactly what is meant. There should be some idea of euphony in selecting the names and every two-year-old should be named in the hope that he would one day be a champion and would cany a name befitting a champion.
