Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-08-26
STARTING RACE-HoRsEs.
Inside Points From An Old
HOrseman-Where Rascality
Comes In,

Comes In,
A well-known and respected starter Of
race-horses reclined in an easy chair on
the porch OF the Monmouth park club
house the other day, about an hour be
fore the time for starting the horses.
A reporter occupied an adjoining
seat.
"Are YOU aware" inquired the re-
porter, that great deal OF dissailsiac'
ton exists over the manner in which
the horses have been started latelyW
EYES," replied the starter. But
there are difficulties in the way OF an
even send-of which the spectators do
not understand"
"What are the difficulties"
Restless horses, tricky jockeys, some
eager to get the best oil the start, anu
others who have q purpose in keeping
in the background. Then field may
move up well together, but as soon as
the flag drops some will shoot away like
sky.rockets when pricked with the steel,
while Others draw back. This is espe'
cially the case with 2.year-olds. Then,
again, what appears to be an uneven
start 10 many spectators is in reality a
fair one, particularly in the fractional
races, where the fields are sent away on
the backstrstch. Looking across from
the auarter-stretch and grand stand to
the half mile post, another post on a
straight line from it across the track ap-
pears to the eve to be at least two
lengths behind. Now, il horse on the
outside of the track should be only q
length behind the one on the inside,
nearest to the spectators, he would
really look to them to be at least three
lengths in the rear. Then q jockey Is
sometimes in q position where ne can
not see the flag fall, and he simply
awakes TO the fact that the horses have
gone by seeing the simultaneous rush.
/ think it would be better TO start by
the tap of a drum. The rider would
not have to watch his horse and the nag
at the same time"
"Why don't you punish the tricky
Jockeys"
1--WE do when their rascality becomes
apparent. While many OF them ride
fairly, others play their part with con-
summate cunning that deties detection" y
at was easy to see that Big Medicine
was pulled before the start in his first
race hereY
ayes. And in one breakawsy where
he was far behind his owner shouted to
let them go. l told him that II he want.
ed his horse to lose the race it would
have to be done after the start"
AS soon as the horses were sent away
in this race the starter said he crossed
the field and informed the judges OF the
circumstance. The owner, Sam Bryant,
and the rider, Swiney, were summoned
to answer. Swiney avowed that he rode
to win, while Bryant said that his horse
was lame, and that it was impossible for
him to win. In proof the horse was
produced, a bandage on his leg un.
wound, and a soreness exposed. The
Judges gave him the benefit OF the doubt
and let them off without penalty.
1t was subsequently discovered that
Big Medicine had been in this condition
for long time, being able to win or
lose, as best suited the pool-box. Since
then the owner, jockey and horse have
been ruled off the course forever. This
means all other associated race-courses
as well.
In furtherance OF this matter it might
be we'll for the Saratoga association to
INQUIRE OF Horseman West why an ex-
governor from near the Gulf OF Mexico
and his little crowd of followers always
inquire which jockey is going to ride in
stead OF what horse will run.