The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-31
WATTERSON'S LONG SHOT
KENTUCKY'S EDITOR PROFITS BY A
TIP ON THE DERBY.

Dwver Brothers Crack Was Beaten
BY Apolo-Ths Outsider Pays Well.
From the Chicago Herald.
Talk about plungers," remarked an old
turfte recently. 1.-THE greatest pluuger, and
perhaps the queerest better, thar ever set
foot on a race track is Henry Watterson,
,be We known exponent of Jelfersonian
democracy, or, as they affectionately call
him down in Louisville, Mars Henry
When say plunger 1 don't mean a man of
the Walton stamp, for if Watterson was to
have an income of $4,000 year he would
always be broke. But if Mars Henry was
70 pick 10 paper in the morning at the
breakfast table and he should see the name
nj some horse that he had a particular
fancy for appearing as a starter in a race
that dav. no matter what the conditions
were or where the contest was to take place.
Watterson would have all the money he
conld rake up invested on the animals
chances. l have known him to 20 to the
race track at Louisville, potter about all by
bin self. and run a IS bill well up in the
hundreds.
1T was on Derby day, 1882, in Louisville
i think that was the date-and Walters "a
was one of Col. Clark's coaching party. To
o. Staley, the city editor OF the Courier
7opynnI who was seated beside him, Wa
terson remarked in a casual way that he
had lust 81 and would like to make 1t SO.
Stalev produced. On arriving at Churchill
Downs, Watterson helped demoralize a
quart bottle, and then, as is his custom,
started out for a saunter about the grou IDS
As he was about to enter the weighing
stand for a moments chat with his young
friend Johnson, who was officiating, this
brilliant writer and prince of good fellows
brushed against Green Morris. Morri, is a
typical southerner. a democrat from the
crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
He has a reverence for Watterson. In fact,
he thinks he is the only simon-pure demo
crat that yields a pen.
"Cfreep, how'dyg said Watterson; and the
two men shook hands Instead of entering
Johnson'S sanctum, Watterson linked arms
with Morris, and moved down the quar- ter
stretch with him. There is no man on the
turf even to day that knows more about
race horse than this same Green Morris.
You would take him for a country farmer
and until he opens his mouth TO talk nobody
would imagine he knew the difference be-
tween a Tennessee mule and Texas bronco.
That day Morris ad horse named Apollo
entered for the Derby. Nobody thought
well Of the animals chances but Morris
himself. He hal been quietly running the
horse into form since the New
Orleans meeting. about three mouths
previous. Midway between the weighing
stand a'd he betting pavilion Hurd, the
c0al-black Kentucky negro who was to ride
Apollo, stepped up to Morris, and in the
presence of Watterson was given his iu-
Structions how to ride and where to be at
stated points during. tle race. Lay along
side of Runnymede TO the head of the
ctvat4h an6 than crixy hi ~ hie had -
comes to a drive don'5 be afraid, he'll
sta q it, exclaimed Green as a parting
injunction.
What's thatp asked Watterson, who
had been more entertained in watching the
efforts of the men stationed in front of the
French pool boxes than with the conversa-
satio between Morris and his jockey.
= was telling my boy what to do with
Apollo next race
"'The devil you sayl Can he win! Has
he any chance with Runnynedes Are you
going to back him yourself: asked the
editor in the same breath.
never was 50 certain of winning a
race i'll my life
Morris we t to his stable and Waiter
son slipped through the gate near where
Prof. Dromel, VINO had charge of the pool
Tag privileges, sat. Borrowing the pro-
feSsors copy of Kinks Guide which was
reporters box. and. taking a seat, stuliel
the performances of Apollo from his debut
Oh the turf a few weeks previous. Apollo
was only one of the upward of fifteen start
ers for the Derby, notable among whic
we're Runnyrnede, Harry Gilmore, Bengal,
Wallensee, Mistral, and several other gilt
edged 3-year-olds that afterward made their
mark on the turf. Runnymede was one Of
the pick OF the Brooklyn stable. He had
been taken south with Hindoo to capture
several of the rich stakes of the Louisville
Jockey Club, the Dryers thinking they had
them at their mercy. Runnymede was a
great favorite for the race. The night be-
fore, Maj. Burt had sold him in Dick Watts
pool room at even money against the field.
He had been backed heavily in the winter
books. just before going south Runny-
mede had been given a trial over the track
Of the Coney Island Jockey Club and had
covered mile and half in $685., which
was thought good enough TO via. When
the eastern talent heard of this, deega-
ton, beaded by Dave johnson, followed
the stable to Louisville to pick up some
money.
'Watterson compared Apollo's perform
ances carefully with those of the other
horses, and came TO the conclusion that
Apollo was a dub to use his own expires
Sop. 4 guess Green must know what he is
dDOut, OAOuSn, ne uluULGTeu, WDllo
apparently wrapped in deep thought. Just
then the silver-5oned bell in the judges
stand announced that it was time for the
Derby starters to go to the post. This
awoke Watterson from his reverie, and
unobtrusively ne made his way to the bet
ting ring. For moment or SO he listened
10 the clarion voice of the late
lamented Bob Cathcart. Runnymede
was still ruling strong favcrite.
The eastern money was going into
the box in large quantities on him.
Apollo's name was not even mentioned.
lie was grouped with few Others in the
'held.' Wat-erson was undecided. He was
up gum tree. Srartil G aimlessly toward
the whitewashed rail be heard loud cheer.
Looking down the stretch for the cause, his
eye came in contact with the Brooklyn
champion, R1nnymede. The great son of
Billet looked fit to run for a mans life. His
name and tail were gayly bedecked in
ribbons. Jimmy Mclaughlin was in the
saddle, pale but confident.
In his anxiety to get better view of
the colt, Watterson brushed against Elias
Lawrence, who in those days was regarded
as one IF the wiseacres of the turf. Law
renee mad hand full of bookmakers'
tickets.
~ What have you backodr inquired
Mars Henry
Why, Runnynlede, of course replied
Lawrence, rather surprisedly. How on
earth can he lose it@
Green Morris thinks Apollo will win
Green Morris be BANKED, uttered