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ark, ark, the the Jersey Jersey win winters BETWEEN RACES * osc« ore GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 14. — Jerseys version of the Lexington "Stud Managers College" will come to an end June 19 and 20 at Monmouth Park, with a lecture by Preston Burch on the subject of breaking yearlings. The course was launched last January 23, with meeting through mid -April held in New-;ers being being as as unpredictable unpredictable as as they they are are ark, ark, the the Jersey Jersey win winters being being as as unpredictable unpredictable as as they they are are and with the thought that most every train in the state got to Newark eventually, hence turf people could attend regradless of blizzards or icy road conditions. All lectures have been given twice, in the evening, then again the following morning, so that everyone of importance connected with a Jersey breeding farm could attend. Half the personnel, in many instances, staying home of an evening to take care of the horses, then switching roles the next day. All 12 lectures in the series were "balanced" as much as possible by having a speaker on practical aspects talk following. Barker Steeley, secretary of the New Jersey breeders, informs that the lectures have been well attended and that their spacing has been beneficial in that listeners have had a lengthy period in which to mentally digest one topic before becoming engrossed in the next. AAA This correspondent has not been in Jersey for more than a year, and an appraisal of the breeding situation here indicates that steady, but not flashy, progress has been made. The mere carding of a technical lecture series on breeding and farm subjects is ample proof of that, and while the number of Jersey stahions and broodmares has not grown very much over the figures of last year at this time, pedigree wise, there is a notable shift to the better. At last count, there were some 48 stallions to approximately 646 mares, certainly a far better average than in New Jerseys Lecture Course Nearing End Horseless Farms Unique Feature of State Pennsylvania Breeders Lacking in Illusions James Making Great Camden Comeback say California, where there is one stallion to about every three mares. Registered, that is, for these figures are a trifle misleading in that some California thoroughbred sires are used for quarter horse production, others are used to produce stock not intended for the race track, unless one of the foals surprises even the owner-breeder. The Jersey breeders are somewhat unique in another respect. Namely, they do their best to discourage "new people" from rushing into horse production until said new people learn some of the basic facts and accept the philosophy that for the first several years, it may be all financial outgo, and little or no income. Seeley figures this attitude has saved quite a few people from getting "burned," so to speak, but, if the people are still determined, they are given every encouragement to go ahead. This state of affairs, by the way, accounts for the strange fact that there are half a dozen thoroughbred farms in Jersey without a single thoroughbred. The owners are building up the places, raising cattle, and learning about thoroughbreds, plan to start stocking their farms with horses within the next two or three years — after said owners have gained for themselves a confidence which they feel will be sufficient for them to make a start with a fair chance of success. One of the most notable of such farms is the Vineland place of Garden State president Gene Mori. The Vineland Farm has lush paddocks, a 24-stall barn, and the like, but no mares. Mori will buy about 10 or 12 mares before the 1954 breeding season rolls around. Across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania is another unusual breeders organization, the Penn State thoroughbred Enthusiasts. One of its directors, Corty Wetherill. tells us, "I suppose the reason that we exist is academic, perhaps just to have an organization of breeders in case racing ever should be legalized in Pennsylvania. But as of this year, I see no hope for racing in our state because sentiment for racing is overbalanced by sentiment against it. Many of our Pennsylvania sportsmen breed in Kentucky, and of the bulk of the thoroughbred production at home, most is earmarked for hunter use. Even so, breeding has made some gains, and two comparatively new stallions have added some fresh new desirable blood, Bless Me and Colony Boy. A couple of seasons ago, Monmouth Park generously offered to card some races for Pennsyl-vania-breds, but we couldnt guarantee to fill them." Perhaps the greatest annoyance that Pennsylvania breeders of thoroughbreds have to endure is the little item that, while thoroughbred classes are offered in many Pennsy shows, the hunter types almost invariably get the ribbons. AAA One of the great riding stories of New Jersey racing this season is that of Basil James, who only last summer served as entry clerk, clerk of scales, steward, and placing judge at the Gresham Oregon Fair. James was on the verge of hanging up his tack because of his inability to get running stock in California, even though western horsemen were willing to concede that he was and is one of the best riders of recent years in the nation. James tried it for two weeks at Santa Anita, then departed more in sorrow than in anger, hit Florida and there had the good fortune to hook up with an able agent, Jimmy Carter, and he soon began to reach the charmed circle Continued on Page Thirty-Nine w "■ "I * 0j of m ■ . tu H He 01 on, k, s ic st tl a; e] o: on S a a r js is a f g h c _ — a v j£ • e ti to p c BETWEEN RACES By OSCAR OTIS Continued from Page Forty-Eight with frequency. He still is here in Jersey. "Leaving myself out of it," explains James, "practically every rider that has left California has done well, so it isnt a matter ability that keeps a boy from getting mounts out there. Take Johnny Adams. Hes a leading rider in Kentucky and Chicago, had a hard time getting mounts last winter. Dave Erb, who rode in the Kentucky Derby, had to gallop horses all winter. couldnt get mounts. I could go on and but this will give you the idea." AAA "California may have a problem if it keeps on concentrating with the big public stables using only a few riders. You can look for trouble if most of the riders are starving in the midst of plenty. I suppose that goes for horsemen, too. I know that ability has nothing to do with it, as no rider, no matter how able, can win very often an inferior horse. Youve got to have seme running stock now and then to ride winner. At Santa Anita, about 10 riders rode about 70 per cent of the winners. That not surprising, for about 10 riders rode about 70 per cent of the starters. Anyway, Im happy I got another chance here in the East this year." There might be a grain of truth in the James remarks. Only two weeks ago we reported why Henry Moreno came East — he seemed to go out of fashion but he was still the good rider that he always was. Nor does he claim to have won those eight stakes at Hollywood Park last summer, including the Geld Cup, but gives the credit to his horses. Anyway, Moreno was good enough to ride Dark Star victory in the Kentucky Derby, and his piloting in that classic drew irni -"-sal acclaim.
