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FAVOR OPEN CLAIMING RULE I - Movement on Among Middle-West Horsemen for Maryland System. Canvass of Turfmen at New Orleans Finds All in Favor of Change in Present Rule. NEW ORLEANS, La., Feb. 1. Discussion of the advisability of revising regulations governing claiming races run at the larger tracks in Kentucky and Illinois has been on at Lexington, Louisville and other winter centers for some time, according to word received here by letter and verified by Hal Price Headley, master of Beaumont Farm and one of Kentuckys leading breeders and pwners, who visited here last week-end. "While I have no knowledge," said Mr. Headley, "of any organized plan or plans whereby suggestions dealing with a revision of the Kentucky claiming rules, which also prevail in Illinois, would be presented at the next meeting of the Kentucky State Racing Commission or Illinois Turf Association, many of my neighbors and friends, who race horses, and myself, have been hearing arguments for a change for many weeks. "From what I gather a number of Kentucky horsemen are very much in favor of discarding the present Kentucky or closed rule in favor of the open claiming procedure as prevails in Maryland and New york." The claiming race situation in Kentucky find Illinois the past few years was at times so unsatisfactory, according to some horsemen here, that appeal to the governing bodies for relief from the closed rule was seriously considered at various times. Advocates of the open rule are sanguine in feeling that in a large measure it is responsible for the healthy, prosperous condition of racing in Maryland. Also that it makes for better racing in that it insures stricter classification of horses and in bringing together horses of like quality or ability, contention is at the maximum. Speculation, too, is benefited by the closest possible .matching of horses, they contend. Briefly Mr. Headley said of the "open rule": "It is possible the one and only way to keep platers in their proper classes and to my mind one of its outstanding features is the opportunity it affords a man or woman with interest enough to own a horse or two to purchase or claim them at their right value. "While statistics arenot available, I believe as many of our owners came into the sport by way of the claiming blank as through private purchase of racing material and for the good reason that the open rule gave them right of choice and value for their money. This channel enables owners and breeders to market horses and others, who may not otherwise come in, enter the sport as owners and it should be broadened to the fullest." Other comments by some of the most experienced horsemen at the Fair Grounds included the following William Schmidt, owner of the Superior Stable: "I believe the open rule is the better one and would like to see it in Illinois." John B. Partridge, trainer of Shandon Farm: "The open rule slightly increases the value of platers, keeps horses in line and, in my opinion, is the best claiming system." John O. Keene, owner of Keeneland Stud: "The open rule is the one and only rule. No horseman has just complaint for losing a horse in the claiming race." "Bert S. Michell, owner and trainer: "The open rule is the fairest and squarest." William Irvine, trainer of the S. W. Labrot Stable: "I believe the open or eastern rule has far more features than the closed rule and is more popular with horsemen generally."
