The San Francisco call., 1898-01-15
FEENEY'S WIN
 OF THE BUTTE DERBY.

E,VerVhOdV a knows By Holly. For years his blithe, straight form has been familiar to habit ues of the turf on all of the Western tracks and his name has been associated with many successful Coups. In a remin- iscent mood the other evening By related the story of race that is probably with out a parallel on the turf Along back in the eighties" said Pop, 'I had a small but select string of horses. among which were Doubt. Irish Lass and big horse called Fl Dorado. The latter horse I purchased from John Mackey of Rancho del Paso for $500. and afterward learned that the suaVe John considered he had unloaded a gold brick. Associated with me at that time was Tommy Lott ridge now the partner of 'OVercoat Jack Atkins and we had in view the Middle Western circuit, which included Colo rado Utah and Montana. At Denver fI Dorado went lame and was let up on From Denver the horses were shlppea 10 Salt Lake City, where the stable won number of purses. l also mad, con- tinued By, "a number of good harness horses along, and the night we shlppeu from Salt Lake City to Butte l was over seeing the shipping of these, While Lott ridge was putting the runners aboard the car. Hearing commotlon back where the thOroughbreds were l Strolled down in that direction, and there was Tommy, with about three yards of a telegraph pole belabOring Fl Dorado, Tn mlld en-  never did like the horse, and in the ruI- fled state of his feelings and between the strong adJecuVes he was uSlng, taNoreu turning Fl Dorado loose and let nm stay among the MOrmOnS. To this l would not submit, but, turning the horse about, backed him into the car without e1ort- You know I had been little longer in the business a that time than Tommy, By continued, mildly, and two heads are outlines better than one.
 But to get to that race. l did not share the same opinion of Fl Dorado that MT. LOttridge did, but was confident that he was q horse of considerable class, though not having had as yet chance to show it. He was entered iE the Butte derby. and on arriving at that place took the horse in charge personally, deter mined to demonstrate to some folks that he was not a gold brick. He went well in his work. and finally derby day came around. Riding for me at the time was lad named Charley Feeney, one of the Cleverest riders it has ever been my good fortune to meet. Fl Dorado was an out sider in the betting, and, with his part ing instructions, Feeney galloped to the
 T had a seat in the grand stand beside Marcus Daly, and so long were the horses at the post that l naturally grew bit nervous. Noticing this fact MT. Day said MT Holly, what seems to be the trouble? You appear very nervous. l told him I was; for the reason that l would rather win that race than any other that dollar of mine had been risked on, at the same time giving him brief history or the big horse
 "A shout finally announced that the horses were on their journey. Imagine my feelings on perCeiVing IS the field ap- preached the stand Fl Dorado last of the bunch, both of his saddle girths broken and Tapping in the air and boy and sad dle perched on his neck. What do you think the Irish youth did? Reaching down, he grabbed the saddle from under him with his left hand, and giving 1t twist, wrapped the dangling Stirrups about his wrist. Holding the saddle in md bar To+ 1g-1 l1a upl a nd a+ the end won in a gallOp. The scene fol- lowing this most remarkable piece of horsemanship beggars description, and Feeney afterward held warm place in my affections. l have been around tracks all my life, but never expect to see that feat eQualed."
 Jockey O'Connor, the 5s-pounder. has considerable of the gray matter con Cealed under his cap for a young man of his inches When astride Perseus the other day, which horse many thought rightfully earned the decision over Gar land Barr, OConnor has been quoted as saying, to to a aG;Sonl9gy; 9yy; We'll, you put 1t on on facts. After the race a welI-known owner asked the boy if he didn't think his horse won. O'Connor looked wise and said he once went into the stand at Washington and told the judges he thought he won by head. The officials considered their experience in placing horses nearly as good as the jockeys and fined him Sl00 for his opinion. Since that time O'Con- nor does not care to argue on head tin- lS0SS.
 Great things are expected of the Gold f1nch-Carina colt, for which Marcus Daly paid $S000. He has been galloping like a real good one and is expected to be one of the sensations of the coming season The get of this young sire, now owned by J. B. Haggin, proved great money-get- Iers In England last season.
 The Futurity, generally the richest turf prize of the season, will be worth, so Eastern reports say, about $40 900 this year.
 Some of the Southern tracks have agreed to reduce the price of admission at the coming race meets from S1 to 50 cents. This will be the order at New port, Louisville, Cincinnati and La tonia. The free list will be suspended and by this reduction the tracks hope to increase the attendance.
 Among the jockeys Charley Thorpe easily holds his own. During the week he has landed ten winners, at all sorts of prices. Piggott is on the sick list and Dick ClawsOn is in the full enjoyment of a two weeks suspension, imposed on him by the judges during the last Oak land meeting for crowding the colored lad Conley against the fence Lonnie Clayton says he will be in form within a few days, and then he wants to see some of the other riders get into the habit of drawing close finishes with him.
 F. E. MULHOLLAND.