New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-05
A TALK WITH "PITTSBURG PHIL
WHAT HE HAS TO SAY REGARDING CERTAIN

WHAT HE HAS TO SAY REGARDING CERTAIN
JOCKEYS
George f. Smith cPttsburg Phn) intends to
sail for Europe some time this week. The famous
punger saws: II have retired from the turf and
will never own another horse. My California ex-
perence taught me lesson that | VIII remember
throughout my life. | have made no accusations
do intend to; but | will give you my reasons
for selling my horses. am not vain; neither do L
believe that ! am infal.ibe In my Judgment or
horses OF Jockeys.
IL have always raced my horses to win. and have
bet heavily them whenever believed their
chances 20 win were good Several times last
season had reason to think that horses owned by
me on which plac ID large amounts OF money and
also recommended friends to bet on them did not
run as we'll as they should have run in their races
/ have been liberal jockeys who have ridden for
me. so much so that perhaps injured owners who
did not bet heavily their horses. | have paid to
"A certain Jockey upward OF $1,000 within the last
three years for his services to ride my horses In
races. My experience In California, however, Is
what want to tell YOU about
IL entered Ed keirney in race and bet heavily
on him to win at odds that ranged from even
money to 10 to on. When the horses were on the
way 10 the post | surprised to hear that the
ODDS against FL k"arncy hal heightened and that
certain bookmakers were anxious 10 accept .arge
wagcrs against him. To add 10 this strange state
ring approached mo and offered 10 accept amounts
varying from $50 to $,OoJ from me on III kearney
at 'rycns simply asked. WHAT have they got on
the horse" OF course. did not bet with them
Ed k,arncy was beaten In the race. ! made no
Accusations. but did match I'd kearney against
the winner. placing 500 against 500 ! put John
Laml.y on ID kearney. and bet every bookmakcr
In the ring a standsti at 10 to on Ed kearney,
who won with the utmost cas-" by four lengths
under A pull \ few days later. with Iamlcy up,
IA Kcarney beat the field Of horses that had beaten
him IN the rae" on which the bookmakers desired
to lay much money against his chances.
won enough To make m" even on my betting. ana
10 confirm me IN my opinion that Il was not good
thing fcr M 20 own horses | found that my losses
were principally on my own horses. While my win
n.ngs yer" generally made on horses owned by
others $500,
Il gave Ia Kearney to my brother. William. who
Derfargilia and Applause. won handsomely. bet
ting on the outside and l"fi California win some
ming on the right side Of my book Somebody may
t.Ii M what 10 DO In other matters. but believe
that / hav. "A fair idea Of racing and OF form IN
horses l. Is Jockeys that cause men 10 "nF" the
turf 1, makes no difference how much money you
give them or hon kindly they are treated. they VIII
atrocious and when they get down or your horses
will sometimes give you an explanation ana AT
Others look AZ YOU pityingly as u you were
'chump' that required guardian. ! intend 10 fy
the English turf fJr while. and II Ike the racing
over Their. | may remain throughout the season
Mr. Smith reports tn" betting AT the california
track as being nrsiclass but he says that all the
heayv b.,fors are from the East Hard times has
taken firm hold 81 business on IN" racine slope' ne
saws consequently Mr. Smith predicts that IN"
racing will cease 10 b" profitable when IN" rae nS
season begins IN the Es-'