The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-25
JOE BERGEN's RIDE.
HOW AN HONEST JOCKEY UPSET
PLANS TO ROB HIS EMPLOYER.

Big Dick Was Ripo Tor n "Hop K,,,,,,p
and His Owner Backed Him Heavily.
Inc Dishonest Trainer Outwittcd by the
shrewdness of Faithful Joe.
(, turf stories on tho romancinp order
generally contain a wicked plot against n
goou morse owner who Is Qn tho story
Su'nalhg tnp," rs gamblers say, ON his
cIuaily good horse. In tho end tho plot Is
always loiled, tho good horse wins by
narrow margin, is not disqualified and of
course Is not bid up by the plotter, who
goes broke on tho raoe, having 'ooppered''
"Iht the horo played to win. =
Joseph Bergen, who was killed ut
uioucestor few years ago, once neatly
spoiled plan formed by u dishonest
trainer to rob his employer, who was
owner Of horse Joo had ridden and was
again to ride in tho race this story refers
to. ~.
JOG, younger brother Of Marty Bergen,
graduated, like tho latter, from Gptten-
oorg, going from there to Gloucester
whero his skill In the saddle, combined
with his known honesty, made him gen.
cr"i favorito with race goors, and no be-
onmo tho recognized leading Jockey of the
Duke of Gloster's" domain. In the race
written of, but which will not bb desorib-
ed, Joo had the mount on horse whose
namo will bo changed here, contrary to
turf rules, to that of Big Dick Tho
owner of Big Dick, business man of
Philadelphia, was warm friend and I'D
mirer of young Bergen and was success
ful heavy bnokor of his mounts. ZOO had
rlaaon Big Dick In his previous race,
which tho horse won, and no told tho
owner that his horse WINS in grand shape
and ripo for "hog killing" rs he had
never asked tho horse to extend himself in
tho rnco in question, which BIO could havo
won off ton lengths instead OF by tho half
length victory tho race actually resulted in.
a rnco suitable for Dick came along
week after this, and the owner, whom he
reviewed tho entries, began preparations
which wcro carried out for the proposed
Killing" Ho was to go to Now York
ana bet tho numerous poolroom mon dur
Ing all Of tho morning, and two reliable
commissioners were to cover the track
betting ring. All that devolved on .Joe
apparently was to get Off and win. Tho
race was tho first ono on the card, and
Joe, wearing Big Dicks colors, went to
tho paddock to got Dick and give him his
usual warming up gallop.
Tho trainer of tho horse was absont
when he reached tho snddling paddock,
and tho horse WINS being walked around in
blankets by q colored stable hand.
Here's S2," snid good Datured Joe,
walking with tho groom and horse. bet
1t ON Dick for yourself"
'Bliged to you, 1 is, s'Iah, Mr.. Joe,
but don't desiah no bet on Dick today
whats tho matterP Amt he feeling
wellg'
ooh, los foelin all right, returned the
man. "Diolz nin't struck on work no
1-n i'm nl-e IN ,,Si
amt had gnllop since you dono win On
i'm 'ovah week ago"
''You've been down the line Drinking,
havon'tyou, Potop You amt sure about
this, ;aro your asked Joe ;nnxiously.
''Sartin sunh, Mr.. Joe. I'ze slep''by
Dick every night an nlorntn TO- uovah 10
peoh-evah since got busted in that,orap
game"
swell, takc this SO and 500 If u,can't
mako;a few passes with them tonight"
said. Joe, and he walked,ONer to q friend, Of
hiswho happened to be hn tho paddock
seeking for tips before betting onrthotcom-
rng,race.
"Timo this horse-I7an going tD,warm
np--will your" asked Joe of this friend
I'LL break from that polo Mt the head. of
tho Stretch and don't stop your clock I'M
til tho horse stops. Do thisfor me, please"
The,mnn promised, glad ito be Of service
10 Joe.
Thcni the trninc. oanse into the paddock,
ana removing tho blankets from Dick he
gnvo 100 lcg,up and Instructions as,to
how tho horse wns to be warmed, to which
JOo listened hccdlessly, ibis reply alacing, a
question, asked careessfy:
'''Is Dick good todayT'
"Nover was better In his life. Holl lust
Enizzle in, replied the trainer, Mt which
answer iPcte's eyes started to roll omi-
Eouslyinnd so continued while leading the
bnrso,out to tho track.
big Dick broke away from tho pdleiin-
cheated by Joo and came down the stretch
nj his full racing speed. Joe did not pull
him up, after tho usual short, sharp sprint,
though tho trainer in the center of tho
track WAS frantioally signaling him to
do so.
The!horso's helMlstall, it WAS seen, v,ras
hanging under his neck, and Joe had mo
control of tho animal, which continued, on
around tho course Joe's position in THE
snddle ihcing n somewhat dangerous one.
On 1lhc Ibaclstrotch tho horae,s speed sladk-
encd pcrceptibly, his fast rum through the
stretch having evidently tired him $50
much that, when no came back to the
starting pole, he stopped to 10 walk, and
Joe, dismounting, turned the horse oNar
to Pete who came up on n reIn stanmer-
ing, 'nlick ANTI mono shout now, Mn.
Joe"
WitfsmIt reply Joe walked ,0ff to the
Judges stand There he told THE Judge
what the latter knew, that the lhorso had
run thrse,fourths of mile At his best
speed Tho OWNER Joe continued, was in
New York jbotting an tho horse, land after
the runaway tho nnimal had mo chance
left, in Jns's opinion. With this view the
Judge coincided, and Dick WIS ordered
scratched. '"All bots off. Twenty min
utos for n rleay book Scratch Rig dick