The morning call., 1890-12-04
IN ABEYANCE
The Blood Horse" Inyestiga.
ton of Narvaez.
Director Gunst States That Sinfax Was
Owned BY Friend Of Book-Maksr
What Was Brought Out.

The investigation, which it was alleged
would be made into the conduct of the
Jockey Narvaez by the Blood-horse AssO-
citation, relative to his showing in the race
in which Sinfax won on November 18th,
was held yesterday afternoon, and instead
OF being trial such as an innocent man
would desire, it developed into a roaring
farce.
OF the five gentlemen-Messrs. Coleman,
Tarpey. Finnigan. Kerr and Gunst-whO sat
In Judgment. two Only-Coleman and Tarpey
appeared to realize the nature of the case,
while the other three, instead of listening
to the evidence in order to arrive at fair
conclusion, showed their bias by defending
the jockey. By every possible means they
strove to avoid an Investigation, and by
their remarks and questions sought to place
Naryaez in favorable light. 1t was very
evident. in fact, that they were not very de-
sir0us to arrive at the merits of the case,
!. but were anxious to uphold the rider in the
face of anything that might be said. There
is not an attorney in the State who would
not, if the board had been a legally consti-
tuted tribunal, have asked for change OF
venue on the ground Of evident bias.
THE INFORMATION AT HAND.
When the board was called to order, E. c.
Stock of The CALL arose and stated that
he had been called III on by Mr.. Culver in
reference to the matter, and, as a conse-
quence, had instructed Mr.. Klein, the writer
OF the article in question, to attend and give
TO the board such information as he pos
sessed regarding the persons who had made
the complaints referred to. That gentle
Ill an he said, was now present and would
answer any questions OF proper nature
concerning the matter.
Mr. Williams for the in form n tinp pf those
present, announced that the Board of Di-
rectors had construed the article in que stiOn
into a reflection on their management, and
on the riding of JOCKEY NarYaez as well,
and 1t was for the purpose of arriving at the
truth or falsity of the alleged charges that
Mr.. Klein had been requested to be in at
tendance. He then read the portion of the
article in which it was stated that the
race had been the subject OF angry COM
ment on the part of the public, and gave it
as his opinion that this was the part that re-
Quired looking into
Mr. Coleman fancied he saw way In
which to expedite matters. and asked Mr..
Kim If he would object to giving the names
OF those who had INDUCED in the comments.
NAMES GIVEN.
Mr.. Klein replied by referring to Matt
Storm, w. Taylor, Edward Sigmouson and
John Ryan. These gentlemen, he said, had
all expressed themselves as satisfied that
there was something wrong with the race
and, II necessary, he could mention twenty
men who had talked in the same strain. AS
to the book-maker who had been referred to
as listing the top odds against Sinfax for
place, he had no hesitation in saying that it
was Charles Kingsley, and that his partner,
or employe, Philip Archibald, was the man
who had gone along the line placing money
on Siniax. He also explained how Kings
ley had, in his opinion, influenced the bet
ting In order to set the odds.
Mr.. Williams then interrupted MIR. Klein
by somewhat lengthy explanation of the
devious methods practlced by book-makers
to influence the betting, aud which he be-
leved were recognized as legitimate by
patrons of the turf. This action of Arch
loald, II true as stated, was, he believed,
simply ruSe to place the odds in his favor.
MT. Coleman again came to the rescue by
asking who had made the charges of open
c0lusion with the book-makers as init
mated, and for an answer Mr.. Klein gave
the name of Charles Mccarthy, who was
not biased, evidently, as he had won money
on the race. Those previously named had
also stated their opinions, with the excep-
ton of Mr.. Storm.
UNFAVoRABLE COMMENTS.
Mr.. Klein, continuing, referred to the I'M
favorable comments on the riding of Mar
vaez by the Eastern press on the day fol-
lowing the race in which Racine was beaten
tober last. The Tribune, Herald Times,
Sun, Horseman and Sportsman, of New
York, severely criticized him.
Mr.. Williams, in explanation, said he had
in his pocket 500 worth of worthless pool
tickets, which he had placed on Nero in the
race with Sinfax. as an evidence of his be-
lief in the horse and the honesty of his
rider, and asserted also that Naryaez had
placed his money in the same way. He then
turned his attention to the Brooklyn race,
and said that he had, at Narvaez' request,
placed $50 for him on Racine. The only
reason, he thought, for losing on that occa-
sion was that Racine was not in condition.
On leaving Chicago, where that horse had
broken record In galiop, they started
with him TO Long Branch, where they ex-
pected to do great things with him. but at
Pittsburg the car broke down, and Racine
WAS seized with an illness. They nursed
him carefully and won two races.
Director Thomas Ii. Williams Jr. acted
as attorney for the jockey.
PERTINENT POINT.
incidentally it was stated by Director
Moses A. Gunst who occasionally officiated
as judge al the recent meeting, that Sin
fax, the colt that won the race in question,
was the property of Philip Archibald, a
friend of Charles Ii. Kingsley. 1t may shed
light on the subject if the following lines,
taken from THE CALLS description of the
race, are given:
The betting opened at to 8 Rosebud, 2 to
Nero. lbe TWO Palo Alto entries. Place money
was. refused on Rosebud and Nero was held at
TO 2. SintaX opened at aud eyens for the
place one particular book Offering 2 10 l against
him for The place, while most OF the others held
hun at eyens though few offered to against
HIM Tor The situation. When these odds had
stood for a while the 10 l Nero place odds ere
rubbed out and the articular book-makef's
partner made visit all along the line, placing
500 each way with every book Out his partnei's)
on Slnfax. The money was put on very quietly
but that a job was in The air was apparent. To
get even ON slniax money level odds were offered
against Rosebud and Nero. As The result pr owed
DFitber were one, Two. Yet IN the pools sold on
previous hal M IN
A, and The same IN yesterday mornings betting.
ARCHIBALD OWNED sINFAx
Director Moses A. Gunst then stated that
Archibald owned Sinfax, and that he Gunst)
had given the check in payment for the colt.
Jockey NarVaez was called and asked
what his instructions were prior to hi,
mounting Nero for the race. He replied
that Mr. Walsh had told him to let Rosebud
win If she could, but if he found her unable
to 90 so to endeavor to push Nero. This he
had tried to do, but failed. This is the gist
OF his statement, and he was then dismissed
by the board from further testimony.
Director Williams then produced his
racing ledger. Which showed where he had
charged Naryaez and the trainer each $50
for money which he had placed for them on
Racine. AS result of the tour the trainer
returned to San Francisco overpaid to the
amount OF $9S, while Narvaez had but
S97 SO due him as the result of the seasons
work. This was paid him. as he complained
VI DtillS ndIu up anu III neeQ OI money.
Since then Williams bad loaned him money.
Mr.. Tarpey then asked Mr. Lathrop if be
had ever had cause to complain of Narvaez
riding, and the latter stated that he had not.
Kerr here showed his usual hand and
moved that the jockey be exonerated, as no
proof of crookedness had been brought for
ward, as he believed, but this was objected
to by Messrs. Coleman and Tarpey, who
thought the gentlemen referred to by MI
Klein should be requested to appear. Any
hasty action would look like an attempt to
whit ewash Naryaez, and they believed Mr..
Klein had right to publish what he did if
it could be shown that any considerable
number Of people had uttered the sentiments
expressed in THE CALL.
Mr. Kerr insisted on his motion, but it
was lost, and The Secretary instructed 10
write the various witnesses, requesting them
to put in an appearance.
The meeting then adjourned.