HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 247 



Starter ; Starting Judge. The person who has 

 control of the horses and drivers in a trotting race, (under the 

 association rules and with the ax)proval of the judges^, from 

 the first score in every heat until the word "go" is given ; and 

 in all cases the starting judge is the only person authorized to 

 give the word. There are some advantages in having the 

 starting judge occupy a stand by himself on the opposite side 

 of the track from that of the timing judges ; and where the 

 plan has been tried, as it has in a few instances, it has given 

 full satisfaction. In general it may be said in such cases that 

 the attention of the starter is more completely given to the 

 field, and that errors and mistakes in sending away, or giving 

 the word, are not so liable to occur as where the mind of the 

 starter is liable to be diverted from his business by the con- 

 fusion or inadvertent remarks often made in the judges' stand 

 at the moment of a send off. In all running races the starter 

 has absolute control of horses and jockeys with power to fine or 

 suspend jockeys, appoint assistants, and give such orders and 

 take such measures as will secure to all a fair start. AVhen the 

 horses receive the word, or are sent oft' by drum or flag, there is 

 no recall. In general, the use of the drum in starting running 

 races has been abandoned, the flag being now chiefly used. 

 The starter has a box of his own just against the inside fence, 

 and although he often goes upon the course to give corrections 

 or admonitions, he invariably starts from his box or near it. 

 Running races are never started by word. 



The starter shotild be honest and incapable of being swayed by fear, 

 favor or prejudice; be cool in temperament; promjit in action; 

 have a qiiiclc eye, and be a good judge of pace. He nnist be ilK;r- 

 cughly <'onversant with the rules and their application, and -'hew 

 to the line" in their administration. Plis moral character and per- 

 sonal habits must be above reproach— tlie first in order to insi)ire 

 confidence; the second to enable him to perform his arduous duties 

 acceptably. 



Starters. The horses starting in a race. 



Station. The position of the horse when at rest, or in 

 the attitude of standing almost motionless and touching the 

 ground with his four feet, his head at ease, his whole body 

 passive. 



Stay ; Stayer. The quality of endurance ; bottom ; 

 possessed of courage ; a horse that does not readily give in 

 through weakness or lack of vitality and energy ; one not dis- 

 couraged. When two horses are equal in a race, the one that 

 has the better position at the end of the race is the horse of 

 greatest power. Hence a horse that has not won a heat cannot 

 be equal to one that has won a heat. A horse that is second 

 four times in a race is not as good as one that is first once, and 



