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BETWEEN RACES By Oscar Otisl HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 26. — It became evident at last Mon- days meeting of the racing commission that that the the rule rule requiring requiring that that the the rule rule requiring requiring a trainer to name his rider at the time of making entry is here to stay despite the attempts of a few riders to change it. The racing commission has closed the case, "with the rule, which has prevailed in California for several years, remaining as is. Admittedly, tedly, the the rule rule is is not not tedly, the the rule rule is is not not perfect, but it has been one of the great factors in making racing as popular as it Is in this state by saving the turf from the utter demoralization which was the case some years ago.v Indeed, it is a matter of amazement to western turf observers that the rule has not been adopted nationally. AAA Its good points outweigh any minor disadvantages by such a margin as to make any other method of naming riders not only obsolete but, in effect, against public policy. Perhaps it is true that the situation in the east and middlewest is not as bad as it was in California prior to the adoption of this rule, but be that as it may, the rule is one which is pf primary benefit to the public, and this corner feels that if the public is benefited, so is racing in general and all of its segments. In California, a contract rider- is almost unheard of, and just about everybody, except . apprentices, free lance. Without this rule, two or three riders could tie up every race and take their pick of mounts, then assign the rest to their favored friends, by the simple expedient of giving no first calls, but second calls only. AAA This writer does not infer the races themselves were tied up, but riding assignments were, plus the fact that bookmakers had a facility of finding out who was going to ride whom before either the track officials, the owners themselves, or the public had any idea on the subject. It was this state of affairs which led to the adoption of the rule, although we will remark that at the time the brewing scandal was headed off, and buried, only because it was thought the rule would bring about the needed reform. It seems to us unfortunate that the whole subject had to be revived, publicly, before the racing commission at this time, for only three riders came out in favor of it, and they changed their minds when it came to a vote. AAA The riders made their pitch on the sub- t Keep Rule on Naming of Jockeys* Saved Coast From Major Scandal LA. Press Hits Change Advocates ject only because there were two new members on the racing commission, and they must have felt that being new members, and somewhat uninformed on many turf intricacies, they would have a chance to restore the old system. The "blasts" in the Los Angeles press, once it became public property that the rule was even under dis--cussion, -were the "?orst that racing has taken out this way in a long time. Bert Thompson of the Jockeys Guild tells us the present rule undoubtedly -works for the greatest good for the greatest number of riders, and our own opinion is that thexule helps, rather than hinders, the competitive quality of the racing. AAA j This rule is not, as many in the East assume, one put in for the benefit of the turf writers. Rather, it is basically a public , protection and a public service. Once in a great while a trainer may be inconvenienced because he may see a top rider on the sidelines when his horse.goes postwards, but this is an infrequent occurrence, and this misfortune if it may be called that, is picayunish compared to the situation which once prevailed in California. Any attempt to modify this rule in the slightest will be defeated, we feel sure, for a modification would- only lead to weakening the rule, which in turn would pave the way for the return of an intolerable situation, and we think the public, now that it knows there is a better way, would not permit a return to the old way. Public opinion is the foundation of racing changes and reforms, and public opinion certainly forced" the present rule into existence. AAA And speaking of rules as they effect riders, we also feel that the rule which prohibits a jockey from riding stakes engagements during the term of a suspension is here to stay, too. There was some opposition to this rule mustered up by the same people who forced the crisis on the naming of .riders, but this force in turn led to a tidal wave of sentiment for the New York procedure, and the board has indicated to this writer that nothing will be allowed to interfere with its formal adoption within the next few weeks, a mere legal technicality being the cau- of the delay. The rank and file of the riders also are behind this rule, believing that it makes for the greatest good for the greatest number, as well as making lor cleaner racing. AAA The California Horse Pacing Board has ►been literally deluged with "wires and letters commending it for taking this step, among those having views being Ashley Cole of the New York State Racing Commission; George Widener, chairman of The Jockey Club, and Marshall Cassidy, executive secretary t f The Jockey Club. This writer is going to make one suggesition to the California Horse Racing Board, namely, that in the future, suspensions be made for calendar days, including Sundays, not racing days. The length of the ssupension would be up to the stewards, but by meting out calendar days, there would be no misunderstandings as to the exact meaning of the ruling. New York, incidentally, uses the calendar system and has found that such use eliminates many " the inequities and complaints which prevail under the "racing days" method. 1 AAA As to the difference of opinion over 1955 dates which bubbled to the surface at the commission meeting, the sanest suggestion we have encountered in a long time came from a track executive who told us, "Its, about time that California turf leaders began to recognize that the sport is here to stay, and to try to plan on a long range basis xather than from year to year. Because California tracks have a crowded schedule, and because all dates in the state hinge upon Christmas and Labor Day, there are bound to be years when the calendar is tight, other years when a weeks leeway will be available. While I do realize that we dont know -what will happen 10 years from now, it is safe to assume that we will have racing. Therefore, the fact that a track gains a few days this year, or loses a few the next, has no real significance if the long range view is taken. AAA We cant change the calendar, but we •can, in a spirit of give and take a bit, reach a basic agreement which, over a five-year period, will be fairest to all concerned. The time has not been reached in California when two major tracks can operate simultaneously successfully, even though one track be in the north some 500 miles from a track to the south, and even though both San Francisco and Los Angeles are centers of great concentrations of people. Such conflict might be feasible in 1960, and Im sure it will he by 1970, but we need several more millions of population, which we surely will nave, to make such a — flict possible without severe repercussions upon the sport." In any event, this writer does not look upon the date quarrel, and a quarrel it is eventhough all sides are polite, as having any more significance.
