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... ..... --1 Here and There on the Turf Wants to See War Admiral Run j Riddle Doesnt Seek Money Title J Another Match May Be in Offing j Training Regulations Lax j -.4 Whatever prompted Samuel D. Riddle to change his mind about running War Admiral next season, isnt known, but it is a certainty the Philadelphia sportsman would like to see his speedy brown colt in action numerous times more, and unquestionably George Conway would like to train him. With horses of War Admirals caliber few and far between, the public should be pleased that he will be back for another full campaign rather than indulging in a pair of appearances at Hialeah Park this winter, and those race courses fortunate to attract his presence likewise may feel complimented. Certainly the decision to extend War Admirals campaign would not have been forthcoming had the son of Man o War and Brushup, by Sweep, been anything but sound either in physical condition or disposition, so apparently he is in the finest of fettle at the Riddle training grounds at Berlin, Md. In order that War Admiral could race next summer, he had to be relieved of the breeding engagements made by a half dozen Kentucky breeders, but they apparently were willing, as no difficulties were reported by H. B. Scott, manager of Faraway Farms, the colts former and future home. Instead of being sent to Faraway following his participation in the Widener Challenge Cup early in March, War Admiral will return to Berlin for a vacation prior to his engagements in the spring stakes. What they will be probably will not be determined until after the Widener, but they include such events as the Philadelphia, Dixie, Metropolitan and Suburban Handicaps. Then there may be special inducements and possibly another effort to bring him together with Seabiscuit in another match, if it isnt concocted at Hialeah prior to the Widener. If Riddle has any thought of seeing War Admiral as the worlds leading money winner, he didnt express it in announcing the change in the colts racing plans. Such, an ambition may be only remote with him, as he has no intention of subjecting War Admiral to very high imposts and the latters campaign may be expected to include all the weight-for-age races, few as they are. In three seasons of careful campaigning War Admiral-has earned 63,800 and if he can be successful during 1939 as he was this past season when his only defeats were in the Massachusetts Handicap and the clash with Seabiscuit he will have enough to put him in third position among the worlds gleaners, providing, of course, that the Charles S. Howard star wins as much as ,000. The Man o War colt hammered out 2,500 during 1938, more than half of which came from his Widener victory. That something is in the wind about another Seabiscuit-War Admiral clash appears certain, although Riddle informed your correspondent he didnt particularly care for match races. But the defeat of his colt must have been rankling. Whether he and Howard agreed to give each others horse another tshance we do not know, nor is it more than a passing thought that both owners would like to help out Belmont Park for the tremendous loss it suffered when the Memorial Day clash between the two horses fell through because of Seabiscuits failure to train properly. As far as a match at Hialeah is concerned, it couldnt be before the Continued on twenty-third page. HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued, from second page. middle of February because Conway doesnt believe War Admiral could get ready before then. He is one horseman who doesnt believe in rushing things, nor does Tom Smith, trainer of Seabiscuit, but the latter horse seems to get by better on comparatively light conditioning. The Miami Jockey Club is pursuing elaborate plans of registering and inspecting horses for the purpose of better identification to prevent "ringing," all of which is well and good, but much of the fear of fraudulent substitution of runners may be attributed to the ease with which trainers licenses can be obtained. Greater vigilance in the issuance of licenses would at once increase the difficulties of "ringing" horses, but as is the custom any man who knows the difference between a bog spavin and navicular trouble plus a couple of signatures can get a permit to train. Why not a more thorough investigation of an applicants record, not only as to his ability but as to his habits and associations as well, because, after all, it is. a privilege to own and train a thoroughbred horse.
