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Here and There on the Turf Jefferson Park Ruling. Impossible in New York. Fleischmann Racing Plans. The Fair Grounds Book. It was a bit unfortunate that the entry of a barred horse was accepted at Jefferson Park for the first race Tuesday, but the prompt action of the stewards prevented any real harm being done by that mistake. It caused a bit of delay, but that was the only inconvenience to the public and a ruling of last March was upheld. The Jefferson stewards went even further than merely holding up the starting time of the race, but a new book on it was ordered. That is just where both layers and players were treated with eminent fairness. In New York there could be no such ruling from the stewards. The racing associations have steadfastly refused to recognize any betting on the races and any rules that arc made for a like occurrence at one of the New York tracks would have to be made by mutual agreement of both layers and players. Of course, it is impossible for New York to recognize the wagers that are made on the race courses. Every effort is made to strictly enforce the existing laws against bookmaking and any ruling that would have to do with the wagering on races would be directly contrary to the policy of New York racing. There have been times when those who are not informed could not understand why the stewards did not make some sort of a ruling on the betting angle of the sport, but this is all the reason that is needed. The stewards never will decide any of those questions and the personal wagers that are made must at all times be governed by rules agreed upon by both layers and players. Without the stringent regulations against the betting, such as exist at this time, it was always a part of the duty of the stewards to make rulings from time to time that would govern the betting, but that was long ago and there is scan: chance for a return to those days of the sport. Time was when there was a sign painted on a sort of window shade contrivance that could be pulled down promptly when a ruling was made that necessitated the making of a new book. The offense for which Shirley Louise was barred from starting was committed last March when R. L. Carter, who had the mare was guilty of intemporate language directed against the placing judges. At that time the mare was barred from starting and Carter was denied the privileges of the track. It was well to know that this ruling still stands and it is hoped that it will have a deterrent effect on others who would be lacking in respect to the,officials. Racing officials, if they are to properly fill their duties, must at all times insist upon the proper respect. It is essential to the sport and-any letting down of that dignity is sure to have a detrimental effect. Some might be of the opinion that this man Carter has been severely punished for his offense, but his offense is a most serious one in the effect it has, should it go without a drastic punishment. Any time the officials will submit to abuse from a trainer, jockey, or owner, or any one else coining under their jurisdiction, they at once lose every vestige of dignity and every vestige of control over the racing. This control must be maintained and zealously guarded at all times and those with the best interests of the sport at heart will readily commend the Jefferson Park stewards. Julius Fleischmann promises to cut an im- port ant figure in racing for the coming year and the manner in .which he is restoring the famous old name on the turf is to be commended. Mr. Fleischmann, at a considerable outlay, made various important purchases abroad and the horses intended for racing in this country arc now at Aiken, S. C, in the care of Thomas H. McCreery, who made most of the selections for Mr. Fleischmann. But the silks will aho be shown in France. A powerful string was brought together to adequately represent the American sportsman on foreign courses and Galen Brown, an American trainer of long established reputation, has been engaged to train that string. Under the name of the Middle Neck Farm Mr. Fleischmann met with a fair measure of success in the racing of last year, but it was only a beginning and his efforts were confined almost exclusively to steeplechasing. The purchases that were made abroad, when th3 pick of the E. Eknayan horses were obtained, resulted in the bringing together of a big band of young horses for the flat racing, whlh the steeplechasing string was strengthened materially by some carefully selected performers. Except for ths richly bred yearlings that were brought over by Mr. McCreery, the horses bought abroad are all performers of established reputation. This buying of ready-made horses is always a bit more expensive than the purchase of the young and untried ones, but as a general proposition it is more satisfying. Mr. Fleischmann being so sincere in .his desire to have as strong a stable as is possible has not spared expense and it is hoped that his racing silks meet with the success they so richly deserve. Joseph McLcaaau has ksucd his first book for the racing at the Fair Grounds, at New Orleans, which meeting begins New Years Day. Like every book that is issued by Mr. McLennan there is much to commend in the issue. Of course, for the opening day, the big event is the New Years Handicap, of a mile and a sixteenth, to which. ,000 is added. That is only the beginning. The book provides that no purse shall have a lesser value than ,000 and, as is the case with all of the McLennan programs, there are a commendable number of the races over a distance. The new two-year-olds have an opportunity thisj opening day, with a three-eighths dash, and even taking care of that race, four of the of-1 ferings are over a greater distance than a mile. This book carries the racing up to January 10 and only one of those days are there fewer than four of the distance races, that is, races of a mile or farther. The big feature of the meeting, of course, is the New Orleans Handicap of 5,000 added, to be decided February 7, but another j of the rich offerings is the Mardi Gras Han-! dicap of a mile and three-sixteenths to be de-! cided February 24, for which ,000 addsd is! offered. J Considerable has already been told of the i innovations in the government of the sport! at the Fair Grounds and it would seem that an altogether new standard is to be established in winter sport.
