Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-21
FOLLOWERS OF THE HORSES.
The Flashy Crowd that Comes with the
Races.
MEN WHO MAKE A BUSINESS OF BACKING
HORSESHOE WOMEN WHO MAKE HEAVY
wAGERs-HoNoR AMONG BETTING MEN.


HoRsEs-rwo WOMEN WHO MAKE HEAVY
wAGERs-HoNoR AMONG BETTING MEN.
The groups of fiashiiy-dressed men. whose
sole topic of discourse is horse, gathered nightly
in front OF the hotels, serve to advise any
stranger that the races are going on. These
groups are made up OF the book-makers, pool
sellers and followers OF the race course-men
who make their living out OF races. The owners
and trainers of horses. with rare exceptions.
have their quarters right in the stables They
stick close TO the horses and keep vigilant
guard over them. But the booksellers, book
makers and professional hackers OF horses put
up at the best hotels. Ie sporting man is fasti-
dous animal. He likes good living and smokes
the very best cigars. AS a rule he does not in
dulge much in intoXicants. He must
keep his head clear and his nerves
steady. Quick perception and rapid tudg-
ment are essential in his business.
Twice each year at the spring and fall meet
ings of the Jockey Ciub-the same faces which
constitute the groups described are seen in
Washington. They come and go with the
races. The book-maker sometimes get beaten.
but in the long run he makes money, because
he sets his own figures. and naturally he sets
them for his own benefit. He lays his odds and
the better must take them. The bookseller has
a sure thing,as he gets his five per cent of every
dollar that passes through his hands. Then
there are the regular habitues or followers of
racing. They keep well posted about the
horses. They are as a rule, shrewd, intelligent
ana ciear-headed
TWO WOMEN.
Among the regular visitants to the Washing
ton meetlngs-as, indeed, they are at all the
race meetings of the eastern circuit-are two
members of the softer SEX Both have passed
the twenties. To say the least but neither il bad
looking. They dress styliShy, but not showily,
If a lavish display OF diamonds be excepted.
They wager their money with all the GOODNESS
OF practiced hands, and their aggregate win
nings are understood to be considerable. They
are st>illiul and diplomatic enough TO keep on
good terms with those from whom they can get
points. These are not the only ladies who fol-
low the racing throughout the circuit, though
there are none others of the sex who bet SO
heavily. The sporting men who follow the race
course do not confine their wagers TO horses
They are always willing 10 stake money on any
chance that offers prospect OF success. Some
since their arrival here on the result of the New
York elections.
THEIR WORD THEIR BOND.
There's no formality about their method of
betting with each Other Their word passed is
sufficient. On the track yesterday one of them
said to another
"rll bet you a thousand even that (naming
elected"
Its a co." retorted the party addressed and
that matter was settled until the election de-
cides the bet, when the wager will be paid. The
bookmakers also bet with each other i'm the
same off-hand way. One of them calls across
the pool lawn to another, I'm go you five hun
dred on" (naming horse1
"All right" and the bet is made between
each other The word of these men is their
bond. 1t has become a common practice now
for ladies attending races to back their favorite
horses, though not heavily. OF course no
ladies are ever seen on the pool stand. They
have others TO execute their commissions.
Usually several ladies' frequently five or six,
unite in buying pool ticket and the delight
they manifest at seeing the horse they have
backed pass under the wire first exceeds the en-
thusiasm of the oldest turtle. Ladies, as a
rule. in making their selections of horses, ig
more record and are governed by appearance.
The horse which pleases them best on the track
Is the one they prefer to risk money on. This,
however, is only applied to amateur betters
want something more solid than appearances
as basis for their wagers.