The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-16
TIPS ON THE RACES.
The Busy Gentlemen who Sell Prophecy Dirt
Cheap for Cash.

Cheap for Cash.
Selections, gentlemen; every day this
month I've beaten the horses" called out a
rather shrcwd looking young man on Pier s,
North River Wednesday morning. He held in
his right hand bundle OF sealed envelopes,
which he shuffled over and spread out as il
they were a pack OF cards.
" Sure thing" he continued; gives you the
name of the winning horse in each race. Who'll
you all horses to win for both first and second
Walking up and down the pier. he accosted
each group Of men as they came up to the
ganEpank of the Jesse !Hoyt.
" How much for emp" asked countryman.
twenty-five cents"
Gives names of winning horses?'
1es-every one-neyer fails. Have one ?"
"Wa-al. yes. guess I'll take ONE
The selection seller pocketcd the quarter and
Say, there; ii this amt right. do i get my
:" Yes Tonight in Central Park. Don't fail
The countrym0n presently discovered that in
order to win any money by the selections
he would have 70 put money on tho horses.
This he had not barGaned for. and lie was last
seen toying to get his quarter back.
Several men bought envelopes. and all did so
in u laughing. half-ashamed way. as if they
were willing Tor the fun OF the thing to try it
&c Do you sell many selections p asked re-
No-not many; poor business"
The selection man evidently regarded his in
terrogator as II possible rival in the business.
The reporter bought an envelope. Within was
printed the numbers q the races with spaces
Tor the first and second horses, For Wcdnes-
days races at Monmouth Park it gave the win
ncrs as Parole Plzarro, Amn2on, Fair Count,
ltaska. and Frank Short. The first two were
the only hits, SO that one who had imparially
followed the selections would have lost money.
Sometimes the selccttons have excellent luck.
One day las, week s the oldest TN man in the bust
next day named five out OF six. 1t is said that
he was once rich; and lost ali his money on tho
and is now to be found busy ut every important
meeting in this country. lie advcrtiscs, his
business and furnishes, distant Subscribers
with tips Mt nifty cents day or S. Il week. He
has an Office in New York. where his wife sells
the envelopes. He is always around the track
ana stables, and is saldl to have tout who
stimulated imitation.
Of fortunes at twenty-five cents each,
all %%sn he FeGG9 M@Gd Lose
A horse may suddenly get out of condition,
and there are a thousand mishaps on race
ought to win II they have q fair change"
Attic At the entrance of the Monmouth Park race
tions for sale. The first thought on seeing him
was that If he was able to pick out winning
horses he was able to BUY better clothes Ap-
he was afterward seen on the grand stand
wearing badge. The man from the pier also
ilrst two races had been run the selection
sellers went about calling;
Selections, gentlemen; names all the win
ming horses. Named the first and second win
ners already"
This was true. and business became brisk.
Tho next race upset the selection men, and
| their voices were stlled. Suddenly they reap
| peared with pocketbooks loaded down with
bank bills. and announced that they would
| cash running tickets on Turco at n slight re-
dgction, This o is called sssaping. 1t
men. but dozen others We're in
| the field They scaped from ten cents
| to one dollar from the winning tickets, but tie
| great competition kept the margin down pretty
| low The scalpers had lowered around the
| French pool booths until the value OF the win
| ming ticket was posted and then rushed into
| tho crowd shouting: Cash Turco $l2.oO:
| worth tl2,75." AS cashinG tickets at tho booths
| often involves tedious delay many men we're
willing TO pay 70 cents to get their money with
| out trouble.
How much do you make day 2" asked re-
| porter OF Il scaper.
From IS to $40 on a good day. It pays our
! to bet on tho races"
| Every racocourse now has its selection men
ana scalpers They often travel around from
meeting to meeting. The principal selection
| seller ID now at Saratoga. whore he is said to
DO doing poor business because people there
! do not understand it.