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Here and There on the Turf Bowies Holiday Crowd, Compulsory Skull Caps. Sporting Plate Entries. Havre de Grace Outlook: It was unfortunate that for the Good Friday racing at Bowi? the weather should have been so unfavorable, but there was a holiday crowd out and it was just one more eviden :e of the popularity of the sport. Rain fell nn«t of the day and the track was anything but a pleasant place to spend the afternoon. But the racing crowd has never been only a fair weather outpouring, just as racing never has been only a fair weather sport. Seldom indeed is there a stress of weather that prevents the carrying on of racing and just as long as there is racing anywhere there will b* an interest that will bring out the crowd. No other sport has a like appeal and there was nothing remarkable in the Good Friday crowd to those who know the racing crowds. With the Bowie racing coming into its last day of the short meeting, the opening of the Maryland field of racing has been a truly notable one. There have been no startling L -velopments in any of the age divisions, but the sport has been excellent. At this time last year Single Foot had been shown and there does not seem to be another Single Foot out this year, but of course that still remains to be seen. It may be that one or other of the colts that have been uncovered will race to a greatness equal to that of Single Foot. Then in the three-year-old division there were no starters that showed eligibility to either the Preakness Stakes or the Kentucky Derby. As a matter of fact, in all the divisions there could not be picked out one that stood out prominently, but right through the meeting Joseph McLennan obtained excellent results with the material at hand and, after all, it is the racing that holds the interest. It was the most natural thing in the world that th? National Steeplechase and Hunt Association should adopt a rule making the use of the protecting skull cap compulsory in the riding of races. Ever since the introduction of skull caps in this country there were several of the foremost riders through the field who realized its protecting qualities and they have been using them on all occasions. They can all tell of falls in the field where the cap prevented serious injuries to the head. In the rule that insists on the wearing of these caps the gentlemen riders are exempt. That is to say the amateur riders are not compelled to use the caps. Doubtless few of them will go into the field without this equipment, but the exemption is made so that it remains optional with these riders. As a matter of fact, there are so few of the amateur riders in this country that seldom indeed are they fuund in open steeplechases and as long as they confine their efforts to the riding of! safe old hunters at the smaller private meet-! ings and in small fields, there is less chance, for tumbles that might prove dangerous. But even with exemption, that skull cap has so thoroughly proved itself that the wise amateur will have it available and almost as important a part of his equipment as the saddle and bridle. It is interesting to note that at this recent meeting of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association meeting, when the skull cap rule was passed, there were certificates issued to some more gentlemen riders. The latest sportsmen to take out these certificates were Ray moud Belmont, Louis W. Mertz, H. R, Toland. J. Van Holland Davis, J. Davis, J. L. Skinner, Roger H. Bailey, Herbert R. Furse, George A. Saportas, Jr., and Arthur McCashin. These gentlemen, with the others that have already been granted certificates for this year, make up a considerable array of amateurs for the sport and, if all of them would make use of their certificates and ride in races, it would mean much for the 1925 cross-country racing. There will be many additions to the riders that have been in public action at Bowie with the coming of the new horses and the new chapter of the Man-land campaign will give a new line on what is to be expected it. every age division of the horses, as well as a better line on the ability of the riders. Just now young W. Harvey is something of a sensation through the skill he has shown at the Bowie meeting. That was to be expected from his excellent record in New Orleans. Just how he will continue when the best of them are pitted against him remains to be seen, and he is sure to have more of a test at Have de Grace than he has had at the first of he Maryland meetings. In the meantime the day is drawing ner for the return of the sport to Kentucky. The Lexington meeting is to begiu April 25 and every precaution has been completed for a notable opening. The old course has been filled up with thoroughbreds for a considerable time and there have l een enough fit horses on hand for an opening some time ago. It was truly unfortunate that the Lexins ton course should have been visited with an epidemic of catarrhal fever, that wrought a degree of havoc, but much has been done tr stamp out the sickness and recent reports would indicate that the unhealthy condition is well in hand. Publication of the nominations to the Sporting Plate of the United Hunts Racing Association gives an illuminating idea of the importance cf the big race for two-year-olds. That is one of the features of the meeting that is to raise the curtain on the thoroughbred sport in New York. The list of nominations is indeed a notable one and, while most of those that are named have net yet been shown under colors, it would appear that the best ones from each of the racing stables represented have been named. There is no race of the year with a stronger appeal than this Sporting Plate and the number of subscriptions that were taken out as-i sures a value that is commensurate with its sporting importance. At Havre de Grace there is the general bustle that always precedes the opening of a race meeting and for several days shipments o; horses have been arriving at the course of the Harford Association. Those that have been on hand for a considerable time are being sharpened up in anticipation of the opening Wednesday and the prospects fcr good racing could hardly be brighter. What is of great importance and a cause for general congratulation is the fact that the general health of the horses is excellent. Each spring there is a certain amount of anxiety on this score, for in the changing seasons frequently there will come an epidemic that will work havoc. Havre de Grace has escaped thus far and the danger of sickness becomes more remote as the sea- son advances and the horses become thoroughly acclimated and hardened. Many horses have been shipped from the Long Island training grounds, while others have come from private training quarters until every available stall has been spoken for tho meeting. The Ashland Oaks, which opens the Kentucky racing season, is the first of the big Kentucky offerings and its eligible list makes certain a notable renewal. This is a mile dash and there were thirty-four speedy ones named for its running of this year. Other important stakes of the meeting are the Tobacco Stakes for two year olds and the Camden Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth. This last named stake has ever been a populir and important offering and it always brings together some of the best in the handicap division. Still another is the Blue Grass Stakes for three-year-olds. This is to be run May 6, the closing day of the meeting. It is at a mile and an eighth, and has always been looked upon as an excellent trial for the Kentucky Derby, which this year is to be run just ten days later.
