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Between Races By OSCAR OTIS- Guild Proposes Turf Protection Ask Life Sentence for Fixers Aid of NASRC, TRA Necessary DEL MAR, Calif., Aug. 22. Obviously nettled and somewhat nauseated over the antics and actions of a few jockeys within . t.hp lasf-. fpw mrvnt-.hs the Jockeys Guild probably will consider taking the unprecedented step of asking the NASRC to invoke the life penalty for riders convicted in fix affairs, and in an even stronger move, to make the word "life" mean just that, i.e., forever. The Guild, as well as everyone else, is aware that in the past, life sentences have meant nothing more than a year or so on the ground, and, after what is deemed a suitable time off the race track, the culprit or culprits have marshalled an imposing array of people to go to the front for them, often people with so-called political influence, who stress the supposed fact that the violator of turf and moral laws was just a poor, unthinking chap who didnt quite know what he was doing and deserves another chance. And, as often as not, some of the individual racing commissions buy this story, the man is up again, and too often the same thing happens all oyer again. We are told the Guild will discuss the matter at length at its next board of directors meeting in New York in September, but a private poll indicates that the board will adopt a strongly-worded resolution asking for the cooperation of the member commissions of the NASRC and also will invite the cooperation of TRA, individual track managements and the public in resisting pressure brought to bear for persons convicted of fixing or attempted fixing. Heres the way Bert Thompson, Western manager of the Jockeys Guild and high in the national councils of the organization, tells it: "I had been laboring under, the misapprehension that the so-called boat race was a thing of the past, gone the way of the ringer, and, in general, that is true. But first the uncovering of a ring at Fair-mount Park, then the J. W. Martin incident at Denver, and lastly, the mess at Ruidoso, has convinced me and other Guildsmen that even one such incident is too many, even if it occurs at a track like Ruidoso, a track which many regard as remote. But the world is getting to be a small one, and what happens at any track can have a direct bearing on public confidence at another. Moreover, the Guild members realize that their livelihood depends, upon keeping the wrongdoers from its ranks. As for new help, I believe the film patrol is one of the best safeguards racing has, and I believe it would be advantageous to the turf to have it used universally. As for the ethics of riding, the . Guild feels that a fix or attempted fix is the one unforgivable sin and that there should be no second chance granted anyone involved in such a circumstance." On the following, we do not have Thompsons permission to use direct quotations, but .we are at liberty to follow up and put in a few words. One item is that in some instances the Guild has felt they have been "let down" by racing commissions in the matter of licensing certain jockeys whom the Guild felt were no good and had dropped from membership. In some cases, the Guild simply refused to "front" or appear for the rider and often passed the word, sub rosa, that the Guild officially felt the man was.not entitled to a license but they had no way of proving the point even though morally certain. At the same time, the Guild could hot put itself in a position of even being accused of wanting to exercise authority which technically; was the sole responsibility of a racing commission and its stewards. Therefore, Guild officials officially kept their mouths shut, privately advised against licensing, but, even in spite of this, some riders were given licenses, and, as in the case of J. W. Martin at Denver, those responsible for granting him another chance lived to regret it. A phone call to our friends in New Mexico provided some of the details of the Ruidoso incident which resulted in the suspension of six people, jockeys Jerry Vinson, Erasmo Torres and Jose Angel Guer- Continued on Page Forty-Seven 1 BETWEEN RAGES " By OSCAR OTIS a Continued from Page Four rero, plus two trainers, a Bill Morris and trainer James E. Craig, and a licensed i groom, Helen Craig, wife of trainer James E. Craig. The whole story will not come out until a hearing before the New Mexico Racing Commission, a hearing which will see those suspended accused of violating the state laws pertaining to bribery. While the evidence against these six people has been kept in the stewards files until time for presentation to the racing commission, we understand that some confessions have been obtained. We also understand that the undoing of all concerned came about because some of the people involved in the incident decided to double-cross the others. We also learn that if, after a fair hearing-, the parties involved are found guilty, the state will consider demanding suspensions for life if not actual prosecution in the courts for violation of said state laws. New Mexico has done a remarkable job in the last few years in upgrading its racing, as we reported on our recent visit at Raton, and we believe that the Rui-doso events will have some benefit in the further demand that the sport be conducted upon the highest plane through the elimination of those who, it may develop, clearly do not belong in racing. We agree with Bert Thompson that the race fix, like the ringer, can become a thing of the past if the proper steps are taken and the proper spirit of cooperation given : by all in a position to do so. In any event, : we are most certainly impressed by the attitude of the Guild in effect demanding j ; greater protection from the authorities as I : to the good name of the profession by ab- : solutely refusing to permit second chances : to out and out thieves, and, as we pointed out, under present turf government struc- ; ture, the Guild is at a loss to prevent such licensing without laying itself open to criticism for attempting to usurp powers of racing commissions andor stewards. But perhaps their ends can be attained by national publicity, which is exactly the reason that Thompson requested this writer to do this article. It might be added that, prior to the Guild leaders meeting next month, they would like all possible comment or criticism on the broad plan that has -been outlined here and anyone wishing to make same should write to this corner, care of Daily Racing Form. Well see that it reaches the proper hands. Thompson sums it up like this: "Racing is too much a public sport, a major industry, and a fine thing to be loused up by any- one, especially a few jockeys who are persona non grata with the Guild. Racing is intrinsically sound, but even one scandal like that,at Fairmount Park, Denver, or Ruidoso is just one too many. This situation can be cured and the Guild is going to do everything in its power to help effect a cure. But Ft just cant do it alone. Thats why we are appealing for the cooperation of those who can help. Incidentally, Guild members are under instructions, on pain of penalty, to report any approachments or the like, whether or not any so-called scheme is consummated or not. This attitude shows how the Guildsmen feel about the whole problem."
