Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-29
WOMEN BETTING ArTHE RACE.
PIN Money Melting Like Wet Sugar
Female Gambling Parties a Feature.


Female Gambling Parties Feature.
Hoar.
One of the most striking features of
gatherings on the race course is the
enormous hold the betting mania has ac-
quired over the gentle sex. The days of
wagering boxes of gloves or bonbons are
practically over, and the keenness with
which women pursue the mighty dollar
in the betting ring is little short of mar
Vicious to the merely casual race goer.
Time was when ladies did not attend races
save IN the company of their husbands,
brothers, or intimate male friends. Now
for great number of women who go
racing male escort is superfuous; in
fact, he is in the way. There are mes
sengers on the grand stand who do all the
buying of tickets and also the cashing in
for small percentage. and do il much
more quickly and reliably than the
ordinary male race goer can do. The
consequence is that regular hen parties
are now made up for the races, and pin
money goes in way amazing to behold
to the unsophisticated husband or father.
In its milder stage the betting fever
among women is rather amusing, and
providing the female hacker is provided
with a liberal allowance OF common
sense. IL viii lead to no particular harm.
The writer numbers among his acquaint-
aAtSNo q lUuy NuOiA HEI ANSDdHu mas taken
TO races very frequently during the past
three or four years. He never bets him
self, but he allows her from $40 to S25
day to invest. She starts in every year
Win charming enthusiasm to bet ration
ally and carefully, so as to make enough
money te buy liberal presents for husband
and friends, but in her career thus far she
has failed signally. She made her be-
ginning this year at Sheepshead Bay. and
n no
she intended to buy conversation
chair" for her husband with the proceeds
OF her COney Island investment. The
first three days she was out, but last
Tuesday she cot a fresh supply of money.
It meIted like ice under a blazing Jniv
sun. Finally she began to grow democrat
lied, and bought one Or the twenty-five
cent tips" which ran her deeper into
difficulties. 'Dear me-" she said sadly.
on the way home, "such luck! After the
second race began to give up all hope of
getting money for a chair, but did hope
that would win sufficient to purchase a
couple of tides. Now, even they have
flown to the dim distance"
While this lady was unlucky, however,
there was bevy of fair ones betting i'm
medlately behind her who sspicked,
winners with startling uniform success. !
There were four of them, and they won on |
SIX out OF seven races ON the card. They |
/
They knew all about ''pace" and ssiud9 |
ment.7 They praised Lewis "strong |
finish" and condemned Mclaughlin for |
having ridden War Eagle ''all over the |
place." Altogether they were experts. in
a measure, and they probably had paid |
dearly for their experience. They enjoyed /
the races, however, and the Jun and excite /
ment Of betting had as much attraction |
for them as the mere gambling part Of the |
transaction.
At Brighton Beach one sees the worst |
side OF betting among women. Day after |
day, rain or shine, one can see the same |
faces at the lower end of the stand all /
outwardly Indifferent, but at the same |
time intensely interested in form, condi- t
ton, weights, and jockeys. The racing |
itself does nOtinterest them. They do not /
even take the trouble of looking at the /
contests. A finish may cause them to /
arise; but it is only to see whether the /
horse that they have backed is dOiRgs
well. They win or lose with the most /
philosophical outward indifference. An |
instance occurred a few days ago, within |
the hearing Of the writer, which fully /
shows to what an extent women will 20 |
that have become enslayed to betting. 1t |
was the race which VOcalic won at |
Sheepshead Bay last Saturday. The /
finish between him and Miss Brewster |
was very close one, and from that part |
of the stand where the writer sat it looked |
very much as if the FLY had won by
nose. Immediately behind the writer sat I
mlddle-aged woman, of matrOnly pro- /
portions and demeanor. Her face was /
white with suppressed excitement. In |
fact, she was so nervous that she did not t
trust herself to look at the race. When /
Miss Brewster challenged Vocalic in the /
stretch she arose, however, and big beads /
of perspiration started on her forehead. I
AS the horses shot past the post she I
clutched the writer's arm and hoarsely I
inquired: "Whatdo you think won, STRIP /
''Miss Brewster, belieYeo was the reply. /
sMy God" she exclaimed, 'sdon't tell me /
thatl / have backed the other one.n A /
few minutes alter, NOcalic's number /
went up. The woman almost cried with /
joy. ''That saved me-" she said, forget /
ting her reserve in her delight. 81 was /
away out on the meeting, and to get even /
/ took 500, which my husband had laid |
aside to pay the interest on q loan. /
Twenty-Five dollars went on the other |
races. and, attracted by Nocalic's light /
weight, l determined to risk all that was |
left on him. Had Vocalic lost, | am |
afraid that | could not have faced my |
husband. Now, however, | win $3.50, |
which puts me nearly $50 to the good on |
the meeting"
Occurrences like this make even the |
most enthusiastic male plunger look |
rather queerly at his favorite amusement |
or mode Of speculation, whatever he /
chooses to call it.