The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-07
"DEADENING" HORSES.
Modern Method Employed on the
Track-To Be Investigated.

A Modern Method Employed on the
Track-To Ise Investigated.
Another sensation has developed for
race-goers to talk about for several
days. Marjorie, the speedy Iroquois
filly, who appeared to have the last
race on the card at her mercy, says
the Chronicle. was scratched at the
last minute yesterday because she
wheezed in her preliminary gallop.
This fact prevented a big swindle be-
ing perpetrated on the betting public.
An examination developed that
sponge had been forced into the horses
nostril Had she run she certainly
could not have won.
In her preliminary gallop the filly
breathed in a strange and altogether
unusual manner. Frank Phillips, the
owner of Marjorie, who is also a very
careful observer, promptly reported the
matter to the judges and the FLY was
excused from the race and 20 minutes
allowed for new book.
At first it was generally supposed
that Marjorie had been taken. with
some prevailing epidemic, but Frank
Phillips and his trainer were confident
that the FLY had been tempered with,
especially as Grace S. was reported TO
have been "doped" on Monday.
Dr. Rowell, an eastern veterinary,
and the owner of several race horses,
a
examination and was satisfied that the
filly had been tempered with. After
the races the doctor went to the stall
occupied by Marjorie and busted him
self diagnosing her case. After a con-
siderable time DR. Rowell discovered a
sponge stuck up in her nostril. which
explained the peculiar breathing of the
filly when she was galloped through
the stretch.
This discovery unearthed the most
modern method of "deadening"
horse. and one that has doubtless been
practiced in California for some
time.
The sponge was found to be what is
known as a silk sponge and was forced
up as far into the head as ii would go.
making il extremely hard for the horse
to breathe. let alone race over a dis
lance of ground.
The impression prevailed that Decis-
ion was "doped" in her last race. She
ran well for a little way, but stopped
to almost walk near the finish. The
mare has been sick ever since the race.
DIR. Rowell made an examination of
Decision and also discovered a sponge
in her nostril.
The board of stewards is now en-
gagged in making an investigation of
this latest scandal. and ii will go hard
with the culprit If he is found out. One
man has probably been regularly en-
gagged in placing sponges in horses
nostrils. He must have entered the
stalls of the horses in order to carry
out the practice. and IL is believed the
guilty one will soon be found.
The whole business has been done in
the interest of one or more bookmak-
ers. An especial effort is being made
to find out the people who paid TO have
horses treated so that they could not
win. If a bookmaker knew that a GER
tain horse had been fixed in this way
he could take all the money handed
him on that horse with a certainty of
keeping every dollar. Some book had
Marjorie yesterday as a certainty.
Some book, and probably the same one.
had Decision the day she started and
finished last.
1t was generally known that the pub
lie would bet on Marjorie to win the
last race. She was the form Of the
race and was also selected to win in
the Chronicle. a bsokmaker by laying
a point better than his neighbors could
take in $1,000 on a favorite. but for
tunatelythe owner and trainer of Mar
jorie discovered the fraud in time to
save the betting public.
The method used 10 "deaden" both
Marjorie and Decision caused much
discussion among horsemen last night.
II was admitted TO be a clever scheme.
and one very hard to detect Decision
had the sponge in her nose five days.
The chances are that Oracle s. was
"doctored" in the same manner. She
was to have started on Monday. but
she was found To be wrong just before
the race.
The association has offered a reward
OF $500 for The arrest Of the guilty
party.