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KllJi Chicagoland : By Teddy Cox Stroud Discusses Mundorf Suspension Case Lauds Judges Ruling on Tame Horse7 Issue Guild Against Ordering Replacement Rider SPORTSMANS PARK, Cicero, 111., May 7.— Len Stroud, midwestern manager of the Jockeys Guild, was among those who agreed that the stewards, Ralph W. Choisser, who represents the Illinois Racing Board; .Frederic G. Grafton, and Robert P. McAuliffe, made a wise decision in their controversial suspension of Robert Mundorf for .failure to report a sore horse to the attending veterinarian at the starting gate, then admittedly restraining the horse during the running because he felt that he invited a hazard by riding the mount out. "I feel that Judge Choisser and his associates have established a pattern, that should* be followed at every track on this continent," says Stroud, who rode for many years, mainly in Canada. "In this particular case, however, I feel sorry for Mundorf, for he has a very wonderful reputation. His honesty and integrity have never been questioned. He merely employed bad judgment." Stroud reveals that he worked hand and hand with the stewards in resolving this particular case. "Of course the stewards had the films to back their judgment and they had reports from the veterinarians as to the condition of the horse on the following day," he says. "And I agree with everything they said, so far as the films were concerned. However, upon further investigation in the jocks room, I was told by Eugene Curry that the horse had been sore in a workout, that he had actually refused to ride him for the race that eventually found Mundorf suspended. Jockey Gave His Viewpoint "Mundorf told me that he had ridden many sore horses during his career, that the thought never occurred that he should report such an incident to either the veterinarians or the stewards. He explained that he felt he might get in dutch with the horsemen by making such a complaint. "Ordinarily, the veterinarian at the gate spots the sore horses and inspects them minutely before either allowing them to race, or recommending to the stewards that they be scratched. However, when the vets do miss a sore horse, then I think the rider owes it to himself, the other riders, the public, and1 the horse to report the condition. Also there is another angle. In the case of the Har-tack debacle in Florida last winter, it seems that in some quarters the stewards were severely criticized because they did not order another rider to replace Hartack when those at the gate claimed they did not detect any soreness in the horse. We of the Jockeys Guild feel that a rider should never be required to ride a horse he doesnt want to ride, under any circumstances. "However, the owner and trainer is entitled to some consideration. If, after a rider refuses to ride a horse who he believes to be sore, but who has been pronounced in a racing sound condition by the veterinarians, then the jocks room should be contacted. The riders should be contacted. The riders should be apprised of the situation and they should be asked if they want to ride the horse that was turned down by the original rider. Under no circumstances should they be ordered to rided the horse." Safety Helmet Proves Invaluable Stroud explains that the Jockeys Guild has many functions, but that life-saving and injury precautions are paramount. He points to the mandatory rule, in -mostT states, that requires employment of the Caliente helmets for both exercise boys and riders. He points to numerous cases where he believes the helmets have saved lives, and innumerous occasions when they prevented serious injury. He feels that now is the time to add to these preventive measures by giving the problem of sore horses more consideration than it has received in the past. He says that the Mundorf suspension may be a blessing in disguise for many riders in the future. Program Scribblings: Robert P. McAuliffe celebrated his 48th natal day and was the target for a great deal of ribbing, plus being feted by a luncheon given by the racing officials. One track executive sent the veteran racing secretary and steward a collect telegram bearing felicitations. . . . Another birthday celebration found Mrs. Grace Miller Hudson enjoying a family reunion with the entire Miller clan of officials and track attendants. She reported her age at "over 21." ... Ed B. Carpenter, whose success graph has reached high and low marks in late years, now has only a pair of horses. His patron is A. M. Togers, who owns Boomer Sooner and Double W. Last year Carpenter was a veritable toast of the town when he sent out the queenly filly, Dark Vintage, winner of the Miss Chicago Stakes, Joliet Stakes, Pollyanna Stakes, and Arlington Lassie Stakes. . . . Acting as an agent, William J. Schmidt, owner of the North Shore Farm, purchased Mama Rose from Marion H. VanBerg for his patron, D. J. Gibbons. Schmidt will train the horse. . . . This is the eleventh year the combination of agent. Cliff Sandusky and jockey Howard Craig have worked so smoothly together. They are Detroit-bound after this meeting.
