Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1917 — TWO-YEAR-OLD RACERS [ARTICLE]

TWO-YEAR-OLD RACERS

Barring of Youngsters Until April 1 Creates Comment.

Arguments Pro and Con Are Advanced and Its Expediency Will Be Tested —Opinion of Judge Nel- , son of Canada. ■*■ . . T—“ * The barring of two-year-old racers until April 1 has created quite a lot of comment. The thoroughbred association tnijde a protest to the Kentucky racing commission, but their protest came too late. The rule was under consideration for many months and uo -one came forward-to offer a word of protest. It remained for J/)e Murphy to inake the protest, and then he only did so when he found out that it was necessary for two-year-old races at his winter track. In rapid succession the other winter tracks announced racing for two-year-olds, and races for horses of this age are now being held.

Judge Francis Nelson of Canada believes the rule should have a fair trial, and says so in the following words: “As the age of a thoroughbred horse is calculated from January 1 in the year in which he is foaled, all of the 1916 yearlings are now ranked as two-year-olds, and the opportunity arrives for racing by those that are not intended to be kept for engagements in the territories governed by the Canadian Racing Kentucky, racing commission regulations. Il is in these regions that the most valuable purses are offered and the best horses seen in action. “Some owners will undoubtedly accept tile penalty of exclusion from these regions for a season for their youngsters, but we may be sure the risk will not be taken with those they think most of; So long as the rule refusing the entry during their two-year-‘old year of horses that have raced prior to April 1 is on the books it will be pretty generally observed. “No sound reason could be advanced for the early racing of two-year-olds; in fact, so far as its effect on the animal is concerned, none but a negative reason has ever been offered. Breeders and owners seeking increased prices and early returns for their investments naturally are' not pleased with the application of the first practical and presumably effective regulation on the subject. Program makers at winter meetings who would have one event taken away from their material every day, and race-course managers who would find much of their stabling taken up by horses not meant to race till spring, likewise find the •regulation irksome, but horsemen are coming to not only accept but to express the view that the measure Is entitled to a fair trial, In view of its promise for the general good of breeding.’’