New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-13
SIXTH RAcE-nANDICAP. 1.4oo YARDS.
THE TRUTH ABOUT SPENDTIlR1FT.
MR.. KEENEs EXPLANATIoN-HE NEVER GAVE
ORDERS THAT THE COLT BE PULLED.

James r. Kccne said yesterday that 1t was a
serious error to suppose that he ever gave instruc
tons TO have his famous colt spendthrift pulled IN
order to let his stable companion Dan Sparkling, win
the withers Stakes at jerome Park When that
famous race was run Mr.. Keene was sick at the
house Of his friend, S. L. NJ. Barlow. Mr. Puryear
was the manager of his racing stable He had then
been on the turf only short time. He felt the
greatest pride In spendthrift, and would not have
had him pulled TO let stable companion win on any
account II he had been consulted. 1t was supposed
al The time by most turfmcn that Mr.. keene HAD
backed Dan Sparkling heavily and had had Spend
thrift pulled that he might win bets on Dan Sparkling
Mr. Keene declares cmphafically that there was not
the slightest foundation for this suspicion He was
Their q novice In racing, had only small stable, and
was not familiar with turf methods, and up 10 tho
date when spendthrift went to Saratoga to run for
the Travers and Kcnner Stakes he had never bet
moro than 500 5000 on any horse In his stable
He did not bet a single dollar Dan Sparkling, but
did put small sum on Spendthrift The pulling OF
spendthrift in order TO let Dan Sparkling win was
rather loss to him, therefore, than gain, and
was done without any consultation with him or any
knowledge his part, by the orders Of Mr. Plr
year. who managed his stable On seeing the papers
next day and hearing from his friends OF the ex
element the Kisses and the harsh criticisms at Je
rome Park the day OF the race concerning the
pulling Of Spendhrift, Mr. Keene felt much annoyed
and troubled. lie asked Mr. furyear why nc hao
permitted such thing. Mr.. Puryear told him that
he thought Dan Sparkling the better colt Of the two
at the distance that day. and therefore backed Dan
Sparkling Hence he ordered the rider OF spendthrft
TO let Dan Sparkling win, II this could be done MI
keene said that account Of his ineAperience on
the turf and his lack OF complete familiarity win
racing affairs, he thought 1t best TO make public
statement the time, and permitted himself TO rest
under The cloud of odium which attended the pull
TO Mr. PuIyear and all the employees In his stable
that thereafter every horse in the stable should
be run TO win, matter what stable companions
stances should any course be pursued except the
stra. ghtforward one of always winning with the best
affairs and sent a number Of racehorses to England,
he did bet at times freely on his horses lie won
by e ycSG , 81 hs sq f Ss a
great English handicaps. But at the time OF the
spendthrft Dan Sparkling affair he was only betting
In the smallest way-SiO0 or $500 at a time. Mr..
his connection with the turf and on his running OF
ehorscs on account OF this srendthrft affair.
he became later he would have seen to IL in advance
ard given such orders that nothing Of the kind would
ever have been attempted.
Keene. His statement clears away thick atmos-
phere Of suspicion and discrcdif which has for many
suroaded ho running OF sn IN tho
satisfactory, and removes from him any shadow Of
blame. HIS assurance that the pulling of Spend.
tray to his wishes win be received by turfmen every
in q proper light before the racing world. 1t Is
pity. for his own sake and for the sake Of those
who have misunderstood his course, and havo hence
received q wrong impression concerning him, that
this explanation was not made yesrs ago. But II Is
much better that II should be made at this
late day than never. II Is much 10 be regretted
that through any misunderstanding OF the inner
history OF the matter Mr keenes motives have
resented.