New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-19
JAMES ROWE, STARTER.
HIS EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS WITH THE
FLAG
A TESTIMONIAL FROM TRAINERS AND JOCKEYS


scription, and eager is every one cohhc'" - ""'
,ra, With a racing stable contribute that the pre-
sentation committee has found II necessary 10 ini.'
the contributions 10 $40. NO more thah ua' sum "'
he accepted fiom any owner, trainer or Jockey
Rowe has collected enough money from the JOCKEY
this season to make mp any reasonable deficit IN the
ooaunts m the racing assoc atiOns The fines that nc
hos imposed since the opening Of the season VIII reach
In the aggregate over $1,000. one would thihk ua'
this method of the starter might have tendency 10
lessen his popularity with the jockeys, put the euec'
has been to Increase their admiration and respect lie
learned early that II wOud be better for the owner he
trainer and the public If he would keep the jockeys
under control by fines instead of By suspensions.
fine of 800 or 300 is ordinary punishment OF
boy who delays II start, who by being 100 ANXIOUS
TO get away in front. causes too many false breaks
Yet the youngest baby of them al would rather pay
than stand down fox week. AS matter OF lact the
fines are not paid by the jockey, but by the owner
or trainer who may desire hts services. All lines m's'
he pa,d within forty eight hours delinquents may be
ruled Of the course.
Under Kowe's treatment the behavior OF the jock
eys has greatly improved, and he now has but niue
trouble at the post Ills method is his own WINE
lie abandoned the system OF starting by mutual
consent he has made an improvement on II that
eliminates all Objectionable feat Ills starts have
been pr0ynp fair TO a marvellous degree. ana II Is
never owing any fault Of his that horse is ieU
at the post. 1t was feared al the beginning OF the
season that Rowe handicaprng himself with a
party al assistants that did understand their bust
ness, Bat he stood by his men. and they have ably
supported him. While Nolan is tall and power
f,l Polo jim. picturesque lie fears 10 horse
Jockey. No man could be more devoted to his
chief than he IS TO Rowe and none more conscientious
in the performance OF duty. Nelson has but one mis-
take in dropping the echo flag charged against him.
Lastepnng at Sheepshead Bay, he held on little toe
long, and upset come of the jockeys.
When the horses very unruy Rowe will leave the
box, hue he never drops the flag the ground With
whip and voice he forces the animals TO get into line
across the track Nolan having drawn mark for
their guidance When they have right dressed and left
dressed. Like company OF soldiers the starter walks
deliberately back toward his box. One eye is kept
on the field and the Jockey who daios 10 steal
d slight advantage Of his fellows. Rowe wheels sud
denly.
"Iambley, you let tina, horse move another inch
I'll give you hundred. Yes, and III make it two
hundred for you. Garrison. You ought know better
Go back there, Hamilton. and don't you dare 10 move
till get in that box
sable boy, for his keep alone; jockey. for few
hundreds q year; circus rider. for song and come
thing to eat three times day; trainer, for 10000
year; comic opera proprietor, for $4,000 or $4,000
Il year, starter, SsjOOOO Il year. SuCn IL DnrI
history Of James Rowe. who is but little over thirty
years Of age.
There is not great deal OF cursing and swearing.
though Rowe is entirely familiar with the language
of the stable. He has an admirable way OF standing
still as a bump log and letting the horses and
Jockeys place themselves in position. That they will
do this without abuse and profanity has been proved
a thousand times this season. Rowe always keeps
his word with a jockey and every that rides has
fhn NTH a0cfc npEh onca I'm him, ha ~
back and turn round, Uttleheld: won't leave you,n
he means It, Iittlehed knows it. lie never mis-
leads boy, and never takes advantage Of one 1t Is
not strange that they ell like him.
He never has been known TO drop his nag In front
Of field OF horses. but always in the Not ill
every horse has passed him does he allow the red
Tag fall In this way there IS danger OF leaving
one. When bad break and II is not possible
for the field TO got away in good order. Rowe has
way Of signalling to the jockeys TO make them pull
up. in this way he prevents them from distressing
their mounts by running them out furlong or more,
all Of which expcdites matters al The start
Rowe had the good fortune to be born In Virginia
thirty-fve Years ago, and he has never had to
regret It. fredericksburg his home. lie padded
in the branch and played marbles till 1865, when he
began his racing exercise lad at the stable
Of Major McDaniels. at seacaucus, " j. Here he re
riding some OF the horses In their work. he slept at
the stable and ate IN the kitchen, and made consdca-
bic progress In the saddle IL Is a somewhat curious
fact that his first mount idaho, a horse OF
August BelInont's breeding. He rode at seventy
pounds and won. beating the celebrtcd
brood Nellie James. in a mile and quarter race
at Monmouth Park lie knew how to SIT d horse
had good hands, graceful style OF hiding and could
finish with the best Of the older jockeys. Moreover,
ne modest and honest, and it is not surprising
that with these accomplishments he leaped suddenly
into favor and was In great demand.
After leaving Major McDancls, Rowe filled an en-
eagemen with p. T. BaInum, then IN the height Of his
fame a circus manager The hippodrome races
glorious affairs, and the fame Of the riders went
abroad in the land Rowcs testimony concerning the
honesty Of The sport viii rom the mind
OF the scepuc all suspicion Of hunbuselns. In those
races, al which the people laughed and shohcd every
Jockey rode TO win. Each backed his own mount
Great risks were run, wonderful chances taken. A
few days ago Garrison charged little Coviugton with
having caught hold OF Montanas rein and held that
horse back that Strathmcatl might win. Nearly
everybody laughed AT tho idea, and rldcued the
snapper but Rowe said
Il wouldn't be bit surprised II he did H. because
he's mighty smart little boy and don't need any
guardian. Besides. It's easy enough I've done IT q
thousand times myself. Why when / used to ride
those hippOdrome races for old Barnum, sixteen or
seventeen years ago I'd DO almost ANYTHING and take
almost any chance 20 win. II ] could get up along
side OF a horse that thought going beat me- IL
was sure thing that he'd get TO the wire first
Id ind some way to stop him If broke my neck
trying it, Many and many a time I've taken hold Of
their brides held back horses that ought have
beaten me In a walk. The people may think those
races are all fixed but they We're not IN my day We
were for blood every tlme.7
Retiring from the circus with unbeaten record
and unbrokcn neck. Rowe went on the regular
turf again, finding engagement with r. u. W. r.
Davis for one year. At the end OF that time he
too heavy ride, and following In the wake OF other
successful jockeys. he became trainer In this
occupation his not less conspicuous than
his fame a Jockey had been When with Major
McDancls he had headed the list OF winning jockeys
In A. q iI-.lnnr he uLdlN L., the