The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-09-25

the Orioles, even by winning four from
Washington, could make no higher percent
age thar .70s, while Boston, by losing one
to Baltimore and winning three from Brook
Ign, would have a percentage of .712.
Frank Thorpe, who ranks as one Of tue
most able Of the many turf critics on the
Gotham dailiek.ss apparently the only one
who does ut fear to handlet the Jockey Club
officials without gloves. These despctic
turf rulers of the East are usually regarded
wita the greatest awe by the critics on the
metropolitan tracks who let them down
very easy upon all occasions. 1t is there
fore very relt eshing 10 find someone who
boldly expresses his opinion Of their az
tions. The following is one Of Thorpe's
characteristic lots at these despots:
'Rumors of another combination are
floating about the ring. The combination
is sal TO include one or two wel-knOwn
and successful bettors who control severS'
jockeys The existence OF this conibina
ton may exist only in the brains Of the
layers and, again, it may be i reality
Ali things are Possible under the present
conduct 81 at IL racing well-knOwn
turfman. whois a close observer OF racing,
n
q Freat deal this year, but l have been
closely following racing through the news
papers Ia watching races in this way you
can 90 il calmly and witho ut the pre- JuIlces
or influences which surround one on the
track. | have noticed great deal OF
queer racing and cannot reach any con-
clusion than that racing is crooked
''In the language of the song writer,
there are others who have noticed the
saIne state of affairs. The writer has
been appealed to to call attention TO this
crooked racing The writer has time and
time again brought the attention OF the
stewards b. races which were decidedly
raw "A appearance, but the stewards appear
content to let things run themselves, with
out regard 70 appearances. The riding
OF heumcyer on Marshall at Brighton was
one of the worst performances of the year,
and The Jockey Club promptly reinstated
the boy, who had been suspended by the
racing stewards.
Far playis quality which most sports
men possess hut il seems TO be lacking In
the Jockey Club. BY the exercise OF a
little activity and common-sense on the
part OF tie Jockey Club, racing would be-
ZONE Tie most popular sport In the coun-
try. The public shows desire 20 support
IL in the most liberal fashion, and all they
ask for Is good racing honestly conducted"
There appears to be q growing interest
oct in California in the proposed fight be-
tween WaloOtt and Lavirne. Each mail
from the coast gives news of the fighters,
and how they are preparing for the event.
Tho tontpS, If all uops well will no o.,a 90
the most interesting there has been for
very long time, for they are undoubtedly
thetwo best men in the world atthe weights
named. I'Est there will be lots OF betting
on the result is certain, for they are well
matched.
The weight agreed upon is considered TO
give the colored mar a little the better OF
the bargain. This may be the case, and il
may not. I do not think that walcott viii
have anything the better of the weight, for
Iaviene is a big lightweight, and walcost
will Fave To come down considerably 10 get
% the weight stipulated.
When they met before each man weighed
13l i-2 pounds a few hours before they
fought, and they were both I'm the best OF
condition. despite tie fact that It WA
claimed that walcott was TOO light.
Put both men have thickened since
then. and il win not be 50 easy for either
man 10 get down as il was then. Lavigne
will get TO the weight much easier than
win waicott nut each man viii have to
work TO get there.
On the showing made by each man when
they met before Lavigne has q very good