The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1896-02-27
BREAKING THE TURF PLUsGERS.
California Tracks-A merica's
lRasa Refier L. NayU Rraka.

California TraCks-A mertCa's
Ross Better IL Now Broke.
The greatest pluneer ever seen on the
American turf has gone dead broke. He
is Riley Grammar and from being $780,
600 in the clear, last fall, he is now pen
niless and deeply 10 debt. Grammar is
only q years old and as a boy in his
teens he sold programs on the race tracks.
Finally he took to betting and his fingers
were like fairy wands. Everything he
touched turned to gold. One day last fall
Grammar stopped betting. He had $780,
600 in cold cash and 500, 900 worth of prop
erty in Kentucky. He reasoned that he
had enough money to keep him in COM
fort for the balance OF his life. His good
resolutions, however, did not last long
for in fortnight he was back on the
track again. From that time until the
close OF the season he lost and big hole
was made in bis pile. Then he tried
faro bank with the result of dropping
$32 900 more. With the balance of bis
money he went to San Francisco to get
back his lost winnings. His nerve still
held good but luck had deserted him and
now the intelligence comes that he has
gone the way Of all plungers and is
not only broke but had used his credit
and his property will be taken to pay his
debts.
Grammar was the most remarkable bet
ter this country has ever known. On the
day that Henry Of Navarro and Domino
ran their match race on the grounds OF
the Brooklyn Jockey club, in 1894. Riley
drew stand in the betting ring but did
not occupy it until just before the horses
were ready to run. Then taking Off his
coat, and rolling up his shirt sleeves he
stepped on to the box and said to the
circle OF sports who were eagerly watch
ing his every movement: II have
brought on little money to bet on Ma
varre and I'll be glad to accommodate
the gentlemen who fancy Domino"
Domino was red-hot favoyite. Every
one believed the black would win easily
Grannin thought differently and he was
prepared to back his judgment. HI
marked up to against Domino, the
best price in the ring, and then held out
his hands for the money. 1t came in biz
Jumps. In the ring were many of thu
heaviest betters in the country. Mike
Dryer bet him $4,000. James X. Keent
sent $4,000 to the young plunger. Ike
Thompson bet $4,000 on Domino. I'm
moved the smooth-faced boy took thu
money in as rapidly as he could anC
passed out the tickets. The big fish
stopped. Grannin then began to take
small bets. He took all the money il
sight. Finally the rush stopped. Ther'
were no more bills handed up. In vair
he pleaded for Domino money. He ha,
bet the entire crowd of $1,000 persons t.
q standstill on a hot iavorite. No mar
ever did that befors and no one will prob
ably do ii again. Grannin stood to pay
ont Of bis cash box 100000. The result
OF the -Domino race was an even
in turf history. The thoroughbreds il
q fiercely fought finish ran dead heat
Grannin's bets were against Domino an,
he quit $l2,400 winner. His bigges
single winning was SOC, 900 when Henri
of Navarro beat Domino and Rey FL San
ia Anita in special sweepstakes. Thei
it was when he decided to quit, but h
hadn't the will power.
The California tracks have been hoodoo
for the plunger this winter. Grannil
dropped 100000; Simon wilsaux,
French cattle raiser from Montana, part
ed with $4,000; Johnny Coleman, Q
Louisville. is out $4s.0s0, and Pittsbur
Phil is some thirty or forty thousand dol
lars ito the bad" The only plunger +
come off with flying eolors was Ed
Purser, Of Kentucky, who sent home 80
600 which he cleaned up in couple q
months.
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