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f Her* and The,e on the Turf Rules for Belmont. Nassak and Sublevado. Conflict in Stakes. George Duller Makes Good. $ » Two important notices that arc prominently displayed in the book for the I I "Westchester Racing Association meeting, i which opens at Belmont Park, May 17, are: "No horse entered in an overnight event will be excused from racing unless upon a veterinarians certificate of unfitness, a change of track conditions since the time of entry, or for other reasons acceptable to the stewards. "Owners and trainers are requested to notify the clerk of the course, by 1:30 p. m. on the day preceding the race, which horses they will probably start in stakes." This no-scratch rule has been described before and there was hope that it would be put into effect at the present Jamaica meeting, but it was held up until it should have a trial at the course where it had been proposed, it is a measure of Joseph E. Widcner. It has been pointed out that the trainers did not show much appreciation of the action of the Metropolitan Jockey Club in not putting the new rule into effect, and its operation at the big Nassau County course will be watched with interest. There seems to be every reason to have it work to advantage in the sport. Of course the racing at Belmont Park femes at a time when there is no strong opposition in neighboring Maryland. That will give the association a better control of the trainers. In other words, if they do not like the rule, it will not be as easy to find nearby opportunities for their horses, while at Jamaica there were some threats of shipping away, should the rule be enforced. The other section, which is a request and not a rule, seeks to discourage the adding of starters to stakes. There is no intent to prohibit the adding of , starters, but it has always been desired that it be curbed as far as is possible. There are various reasons for the adding of a. horse to stake engagements, but Ihere is no excuse for withholding the , * j t ] | ■ . : i ; i I I i , , name of a starter until shortly before • post time, merely for the purpose of upsetting some calculations. It is easily understood that the same reasons apply to the adding of a horse, that are found for the scratching of a horse. A change in weather and track condition can just as readily account for the adding of a starter as for the withdrawal of one. An expected fast track that becomes muddy, or a muddy track that dries out in unexpected fashion, should give the same right to add a horse as it does to i scratch a horse, and that alone would make the prohibition of added starters , rather unfair. It would be just as un- c fair to compel the starting of a horse J over unexpected track conditions that « offered him a serious handicap. ; l "When Nassak won the Long Beach , Handicap at Jamaica on Tuesday, it was ■ agreed that he qualified for both the J Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky i Derby. Then when Sublevado won from two such fast ones as Ramoneur and Nusakan, at the same track on "VVednes- day, it would appear that Nassak has j i , a companion that might readily bear him company in both of those great races. What made the performance of Sub- i levado of especial importance, was the ", manner in which he finished out the : three-quarters. He had closed an im- J mense gap to catch and beat Ramoneur , and at the end he was racing in a man- - ner to suggest that he is ready for the ! Preakness Stakes route of a mile and ! three-sixteenths. It was the second start of the year , for Sublevado and it is natural that he should improve over that showing. In his previous race, after a bad swerve in the stretch, he was a good second to as fast a horse as Sarmaticus. On "VVednes- i day, when he settled down and began : ; ! j to run fast, he gave a sterling exhibition ; and it would not be at all surprising if! I lie develops into an excellent second j j string to the Hildrcth bow at Pimlico • ; on May 11 and at Churchill Downs May 19. Mow lee has not shown enough, but these two colts seem well able to fittingly represent the Rancocas Stable. Of course Nassak and Sublevado, as well as Mowlee, Ariel and Daric, are all eligible from the stable to the Withers Stakes at a mile, to be run at Belmont Park on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Undoubtedly the Rancocas colors will be shown at both courses and at this time the natural assignment seems to be to have Nassak go after the Kentucky Derby, while Sublevado is held in New York for the Withers Stakes. It is unfortunate that two three-year-olds stakes races of such importance should be down for decision on the same day, but Hildreth and the Rancocas Stable will not find it as unfortunate as will some turfmen with only one worthy eligible for both races. George E. Duller, who had his first mount in this country in the Harford Steeplechase at Pimlico on Tuesday, is sure to be a valuable addition to the cross-country riders for this year. That he was robbed of victory, by being "waved" around the inner wing of the last fence, with Eider, was surely unfortunate and could not be blamed for that happening. He was riding the best horse in the race when he had the mount on Mr. Emanuels imported jumper, but he rode in a fashion that told of his skill. He is a cool, heady jockey, took excellent care of his mount at all times and made no 1 mistakes. There was some surprise when he appeared in the parade with short stirrup ■ leathers. It has been usual for the Eng-: lish and Irish riders we have seen over here to ride much deeper than the average American jockey, but Duller was 1 riding shorter than any other rider in the : race. In fact, it was remarked that his 1 seat was more that of a flat rider than [ i a cross-country pilot. But with all his short leathers he had 1 perfect control of his mount and seemed j i to afford him every support. He sent his | mount to jumps boldly and took them in I 1 a stride rather than standing off from i them, as appeared to be the usual cus-J ■ torn with the English riders that have 1 ridden through American fields before, i Oa this one ride Duller is sure to * , attract attention and it is safe to predict | 1 that he will make his mark over here, as i he did at home, and quickly become a 1 , prime favorite with those who are iuter- ested in the cross-country racing.
