The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-10
HOWARD MANN.

bringing forward of Howard Mann was a
mysterious coup on the part OF bis owner,
George E. Smith (Pittsburg Phil, but
the best judgment Is that the whole thing
was piece of luck, complete surprise
Go the public, the owner of the horse and
the horse himself. Ii Is evident that had
Smith thought that Howard Mann was
such 'real good thing" he would not
have started Belmar, because he would
have been able to obtain at the very least
double the odds he received about his sta
BILE coupled against Howard Mann single,
no matter how much he might have
wagered on him. The rule Of coupling In
the betting two horses in one ownership
forced Howard Mann's price down 10 that
quoted about Belmar. and to win Mr..
Smith was forced to invest all his money
at an average OF 3 60 /. He did not shpink
from the fight and put about sl2, 800 into
the ring. This sic, 800 represented his
own investment. Added TO this were sew.
eral smaller bets in place and straight
money. Altogether he took little over
$45, 600 out OF the ring, of which s36, 900
or thereabout went into his own pocket.
Smith has certainly enjoyed fair pro-
portion Of luck in the dozen years he has
been on the turf. He began his specula.
tive career in the Chicago poolrooms and
there obtained the nickname of Pittsburg
Phil, which has since clung TO him, from
William Riley, the veteran pool seller.
There were SO many Smiths buying auc-
tion pools in that dingy old Chicago room
in those days that Riley, in order to keep
their accounts separate improvised a
string of aliases, and accordingly the boy
ish looking plunger from Pittsburg be-
came Pittsburg Phil.
Ten years ago the Illinois legislature
passed an antipoolroom bill, and Pitts
burg Phil went 10 New York. His first
day upon an eastern race track was at
Monmouth. July 4. 1857. He won SIC. 900
that day backing preciosa and Ben Ali of
the Haggin stable. During the next three
seasons his turf winnings amounted TO
$3.50, 600.
Phil began buying horses in 1889, his
first purchase of note being Kern. The
first big haul he made about one of his
own horses was over King Cadmus, who
won by head enabling Phil 10 cash tick
cts amounting 10 something over $780,
600. Five years ago the victory Of his
Paryenu ut Sheepshead Bay netted him
upward of 100000. He won handsomely
over his Candelabra and Applause at times
during recent seasons, but Monday was
the first time he has had his colors borne
TO victory in one of tho premier turf events
Horsemen are interested in the unique
work Of Marion Mills. Last year reports
came from the west of pacing mare
which could goa mile In 2:l0 without a
harness or vehicle. Horsemen, or at least
few Of them, believed the stories, but the
general public discredited them. They
said it was not possible for a horse to show
extreme speed unless guided by driver
of more than average ability. That the
people who reasoned in this manner were
wrong is shown by the performances of
Marion Mills. At Grand Rapids, Sept
o, this marc paced mile In 2:06L with
out any driver, sulky, harness or pace
maker. The mile is the fastest ever shown
by pacing marc. Last fall this mare
performed before 700, 900 people. She is
now at Boston and recently paced a mile
In 2;lSL, last half in l:0d19, last quarter
In 32 seconds Sho did this without a
single word from any one with the excep-
ton of Mr.. Tyler Hicks, who acted as
starter. Every one present was greatly
surprised, among thom the mares owner,
who wns very much pleased. He explained
his surprise by saying that Marion always
loafs before q small crowd and that the
best he expected was mile in 2 :25 The
mare knows whether she Is pacing for
money or for fun. The mile was the fast
est she has ever shown in her work by sew
eral seconds.
She wears nothing I'm her exhibitions
but surcingle, bride, oyerdraw and side
checks. She starts, stops, increases or di