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Here and There on the Turf Hard Lack of Bowie. Havre De Grace Prospects. Raising the Weights. No Re.al Developments. I 9 Right up to the closing day of the Bowie meeting there continued the weather handicap that has become so much a rule at the Southern Maryland course that, when there comes a bad day elsewhere, it is described as a "regular Bowie day." But with all the handicap of weather and the consequent bad track condition, the crowds have been surprisingly large. Both Bowie and Laurel are happily located geographically, being midway between Baltimore and Washington and there are no two cities that more liberally patronize the turf. Weather has never deterred these lovers of the sport and it is surprising the crowds that turn out on all occasions no matter what the stress of the weather. Tuesday was one of the bright days enjoyed during the eleven-day Bowie ssandsion just brought to a conclusion. There seemed to be a promis? of like weather for the last day, but Wednesday broke gray and threatening and rain began falling before noon, ruining that prospect. But it was the last Bowie chance for a look at the thoroughbreds in action and the closing was a truly good day of the season. The racing of the meeting, for the most part, was free from any untoward happenings, though there were some form reversals that might be attributed to the lack of class in the horses and the unfavorable track conditions. Then there was a claim made of Wild Aster, after he was beaten under the colors of Walter Fenwick, that might merit investigation. He had been racing under the colors of G. C. Winfrey when he was claimed by Fen wick, and the claim, after he had been raced by Fenwick, had the appearance of being a friendly one. That is hard to prove on almost every occasion, and it may be the charge will not stand up, but the intimation has been made that Wild Aster is back in the Winfrey control, which is strictly against the rule. If this can be proved the stewards will doubtless take action against both the claimant and Winfrey. The two off-days for racing and they are indeed few in this country — are over and Havre de Grace throws open its gates for a spring season that promises to see many of the champions of 1926 in action. Some of these would doubtless have been raced at Bowie had it not been for the unprecedented spell of bad track conditions by reason of the rains that visited that racing, but most of them intended waiting for Havre de Grace in any event. The law of average, which fits in fairly well, no matter how it is applied, would make it appear that the Harford Association is in for a fine brand of weather for its sport. Bowie must have used up all the bad weather in the box. Then Havre de Grace enjoys a better place on the racing calendar in any sort of weather for the reason that horses are further advanced and better racing is natural. Never have there been as many horses of high class ready for Havre de Graces spring meeting and it is more than probable that both the chain pion three-year-old and the champion handicap hone of 1927 will be uncovered before its con elusion. The horses that, at this time, seem to be better equipped to fill those two exalted places are both sons of Man o War and they are the three-year-old Scapa Flow, which races for Walter M. Jeffords, and Samuel D. Riddles Crusader. It is not known definitely that Scott Harlan will start Scapa Flow before the Pimlico meeting, but he is ready and, while he has no engagement at the meeting, may be sent over as a part of his training, though that is only a hope. As for Crusader, he is engaged in the Philadelphia Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth, and there are several other overnight handicaps that will afford him an oppor; unity to show his quality. The general trend to raise the weghts in all races this year is going to meet with criticism by many of the trainers, and there may be occasions when racing secretaries may have some trouble in filling races. Joseph McLennan had a bit of trouble himself at Bowie, but he is an official who is never stumped by difficulties and he worked out his own salvation admirably during the Bowie meeting. He will carry on at Havre de Grace and probably before the end of that meeting the new order of weights will be accepted by trainers with less grumbling. At an early spring meeting such as the Bowie session, the raising of weights — that is, making 100 pounds the minimum — is felt more than at later meetings. And then, McLennan requires horses to race over a long distance of ground as much as is possible, and the brand of winter horses are not up to weight when required to gallop over longer distances than three-quarters, while they have never been accustomed to it even at the sprinting routes. But the rule will work out in du; time and it should make for better racing when it is generally adopted. This has nothing whatever to do with the scale of weights and racing secretaries, when occasion demands, are justi fied in arranging special weights at different age allowances. In the meeting books that are to follow the Jamaica issue, it will be found that this general boosting of weights will obtain at the New York tracks. This has been advocated for some time and the book of the Metropolitan Jockey Club provides that horses in the overnight races will carry much more weight than has been the recent rule. This is easier of accomplishment in the short sprint races, but it will obtain in longer events and it is to be hoped that the trainers will lend their aid to the changed conditions. Thb general raising of the weights will enable the riding of better jockeys and, at the same time, furnish a better test of the horse. All of these things have been set forth in the campaign to bring the change about and the Metropolitan Jockey Club is to be commended and congratulated on blazing the way for the change. There were no really startling developments at the Bowie meeting. Of course it was not to be expected with the long-continued bad weather conditions. Peternel proved himself just about the smartest jockey of the season, but, of course, Johnny Maiben did not ride often enough to take his proper place. The two year-olds that raced could only be rated as platers and, of course, the best of them were not brought to the post. Among the three-year-olds there did not appear any that showed enough to give the champion of last year any concern. Sun Forward ran one truly good race and be is sure to go on to better things. Then Willie K. only started the one time and, while he was soundly beaten, that race came after there had been a let-up in his training, by reason of the track condition and that race told absolutely nothing of his quality. Before the end of the Havre de Grace meeting there will be more to say of each of the age divisions, for many a good one is ready to race and there will be no lack of class in every age division, provided the weather and track conditions permit.
