view raw text
California Board Hearing on Rule Suggestions Made to Modify Law Holding Trainer Solely Responsible for His Horses LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 26. — The California Horse Racing Board began a two-day session in its downtown offices in * the Mirror Building this morning and began hearing suggestions as to how Rule 1871, which holds the trainer responsible for the condition of his horse regardless of the acts of third parties, might be altered or improved. The first suggestions for change came from Mrs. Harold C. Morton, who presented a petition signed by 14 trainers, including Willie Molter and Reggie Cornell, asking for sweeping changes in the rule. Mrs. Mortons proposal basically called for modified adoption of the New York rule, but, in speaking to the board, Mrs. .Morton also asked that an elaborate system of taking tests be established and that these tests be paid for by the state. Her suggestions included two men, instead of one, to take the samples from a horse, establishment of a laboratory on the backstretch and the appointment of a state-paid supervisor of testing. » Says Board Should Decide Penalties Mrs. Morton also suggested that the power of the stewards to automatically suspend, in the case of a positive case showing, be revoked and any penalties be put directly to the discretion of the racing board. She also denounced the 48-hour rule as being unfair to many horses and accomplishing little in the jvay of actual protection. Also appearing before the board at the morning session were trainers Charles Whittingham and W. J. "Buddy" Hirsch, who expressed the belief the New York rule would be an improvement over Jt-he California method. — The basic difference between the New York rule and Californias 1871 is that in New York, if the trainer is held blameless-, he is usually not suspended even though the purse may be redistributed. In California, suspension is automatic after the preliminary hearing by the stewards until the next meeting of the racing board where final decision is made. All three board members, chairman Dwight Murphy, George Holmes and Bert Railey were in attendance.
