view raw text
i California I By Oscar Otn Hint Weak Spots in Sample Handling Ban Raids on Tracks Racing Stocks Ambitious Plans for Pleasanton Told HOLLYWOOD PARK, Inglewood, Calif., May 15.— Eugene Stockwell Jr., attorney representing Reggie Cornell at the latters stimulation hearing before the i California California Horse Horse Racing Racing Board Board California California Horse Horse Racing Racing Board Board earlier in the week, a hearing which resulted in a 90-day suspension for the public trainer, staged one of the most brilliant efforts we have ever seen in our 32 years in racing in defense of his client. While Cornell did get 90 days, this punishment is considered lenient in California where tradition has it that six months is the minimum for conviction of negligence negligence under under rule rule 1871. 1871. Stock- negligence negligence under under rule rule 1871. 1871. Stock- Stock-well thinks he knows what happened in the mystifying stimulation at Bay Meadows, but he was in no position to prove his theory, so he couldnt use this ammunition before the racing board. But Stockwell did hint at certain weak spots in the chain that sees a sample taken from a horse and delivered all the way to Los Angeles to the Truesdale Laboratories, and we for one were so impressed by his clues that it would seem to us a re-check of the whole system might be in order. Kentucky, you know, is going to on-the-spot lab analysis with a mobile lab with all the latest gadgets that can give you the answers within about two hours. In the light of late scientific advances, we see no reason why some consideration shouldnt be given to on-the-spot analysis, and thus eliminating the lengthy trail the samples now travel from all Northern California tracks. Opinions Divided on Cornell Ruling Opinions as to the 90 -day suspension of Cornell were sharply divided, some of the mans owners being openly incensed, while others thought that Cornell did not get any the worst of it, his good character and reputation on the race track standing him in good stead when he became a victim of circumstances. But if we are to believe all the evidence presented at the hearing, we believe Cornell could have had a more vigilant set-up at his barn and one which, for instance, saw that when the groom of a starter in that days races went to lunch, somebody would take over the chore of looking- after the horse. This did not happen with the stimulated horse in question, Drifting Abbey, the groom just going at will, returning at will. We dont blame the groom, for he had to eat, but there just wasnt higher authority at the Cornell barn to check with. Cornell, for his part, told the board that when he returns to good standing on July 25, he will have a far tighter set-up. One of the most important decisions of the board at its meeting was a declaration that henceforth, California tracks would be protected from raids on its horse population from anyone not actually having horses on the grounds, when they upheld the Bay Meadows stewards in voiding the claim of the horse Romanium by W. R. Johnson of Glendale. Johnson raced most of the Meadows meeting, losing three horses there by claim, but shipped to Hollywood Park, then later claimed the horse by money left on deposit in the horsemans account. Johnson has indicated he may take the case to civil courts, but while he might win the battle, the war will be lost because the board is taking steps at this moment to clarify the rule. The board of stewards at Bay Meadows was kind enough to send us their reasoning on the Romanium claim, stating that if an owner had no horses actually registered on the grounds at the time of claim, the owners privilege to claim would be manifestly unfair to the stables still participating in racing, because the owner would be entitled to claim at will, while at the same time not be subject to losing horses by claim, since he would have none to run. Interpretations Differ at Other Tracks We are mentioning this in detail because under the same rule, California tracks have been interpreting it in different ways, and one track, we understand, has never made any objection to such claiming in absentia. It is quite inconceivable to many to learn that the rules are deemed quite different at different tracks, depending upon the particular stewards at a particular meeting, and it is high time, to our way of thinking, that the single state of California made its rules enforcement uniform before any serious talk is made about "uniform national rules." It is a situation hard on horsemen, for they never know quite what to expect. Johnson made his claim in good faith as far as he was concerned. Hat it happened at one other track, it would have stood. But it happened at Bay Meadows, and was voided. The racing commission held the Bay Meadows stewards to be in the right. It was a pleasure to see Sam Whiting, head of the Alameda Fair Pleasanton back at a board meeting, after a lengthy illness, and although he is still convalescing, Whiting was bubbling over with plans for a greater Pleasanton. For the public, he is converting a large area adjacent to the grandstand into a patio area, with 30 outdoor wagering wickets For the jock- ■ eys, he has built a new clubhouse -type room, one of the fanciest in the nation. For the horsemen, he has announced that a program will begin this fall to build a whole new stable area, completely fireproof. A start will be made with 200 of the fireproof stalls this fall, and new sections built each year until a total of 1,200 such stalls are available. The new accommodations will make Pleasanton even more attractive as a year-round training center when the fair meeting of 14 days is not in progress.
