The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-13
BATTERIES ON RACE HORSES.
Schemes Employed by jockeys to Win
on Slow Horses.
Frank ]. Bryan. in New York Journal

Frank j. Bryan. in New York Journal. y
The rules of racing positively prohibit
the use Of electrical appliances of all sorts
in the riding of horse. They are equally
stringent in regard to the use of drugs, yet
many believe that both edicts are at fire.
quent intervals ignored by trainers and
riders.
So far as the use of drugs goes, it is next
to impossible to detect those who are in
clined to use them. In fact, our turf powers
have really offered the best cloak to de-
lection by sanctioning the use of stimu-
lants as drench. A horse can be ''doped"
before the drench is given, and If any ques-
ton arises there is an excuse ready.
In many cases owners are ignorant of the
doings of their trainers, in this respect, and
it has been common rumor all season that
certain horses that have displayed marvel
gus Improvement at times were stimulated
by the use of the hypodermic syringe.
AS for the electric batteries, stories or
their use have been heard but there has
Certainty. and vet vet there is little doubt that
they have been used many times, for the
reason that some of the affairs that have
been arranged are so cleverly devised that
discovery is almost impossible.
The first of these speed producers used
with success was the invention of man
nation, being heavy belt, worn next to the
riders body. On each side four small stor-
age batteries furnished the speed producing
through the spurs. 1t was used with con-
siderable success, the famous Gyda coup, at
Gutenberg, being one OF the first cases that
brought it before the public. 1t is said that
one of our oid-time riders agreed to intro
duce it on the big. tracks.
The story goes that he planned to try its
power on Volunteer H., who at that time
was owned by Fred Gerhard. He went to
the post properly charged, but when it came
time to turn on the current his courage
failed him, and the horse was beaten. When
he returned to the scales his awkward gait
attracted considerable attention, but no one
even dreamed of the cause, and he was soon
at the stable to remove the concealed light
ming.
riders were found that were not afraid to
use the battery, and Tobin and his friends
reaped a harvest.
Their success brought competitors into the
field, and some of the devices put on the
market were decidedly clever. The out
law tracks in various parts of the coun-
try offered generous opportunities for their
use.
The schemers were caught at times but
the officials found it impossible to detect all
! One of the best of the many batteries in
troduced last winter was the property OF
Jockey Heinrichs, the boy who was mixed
up in the Chinese Pete scandal at San Fran
cisco couple of years ago The battery,
which was about the size of pocket match
case, was concealed in his undershirt. It
was sewed into the shirt so that when on
the boy 1t was under his arm. The con-
Meeting wires were carried through the
seams to point where they could be COM
nected with the top of the boot. As for it's
power, the current, when at full head, was
sufficient to knock a man across a room.
Another clever device was arranged to be
carried in the palm Of the riders hand. 1t
was circular case that was detachable
and was thrown away after the fnish a
confederate picking it up later on.
The handle of the whip, the heel of the
boot. the pockets of lead pad and the
pommel of the saddle have been used TO con-
ceal the batteries. the connection in all ter
minating in the spur.
Some egotistical turf followers tell US that
these affairs cannot be used without detec-
ton. There is nothing on which to base
their claim. The men that use them are
schemers OF the cleverest sort, and there
are any number of riders who can be I'm
duced to use them, knowing how slight Is
the chance of their being caught.
As to the effect of the electrical per-
suasion" on a horse, it is little short OF
marvellous.
When properly tried it will bring an in-
crease of speed that is something amazing.
1t has been claimed that, as the effect is
beneficial our turf authorities should en-
courage rather than prohibit the use OF
these electrical spurs" 1t is certainly less
cruel tllan the ordinary spur but the whole
argument can be settled by the fact that IL
is the abuse rather than the use that brings
official interference.
If one could guarantee that a rider would
Use them on all occasions there could not
be any serious objection. but II is the on
ay-and-off-to-morrow plant that makes
their being recognized an impossibility.
Cases have been known where the makers
of these affairs have leased them for use
on certain horse and then prepared the
batteries that they would lose their
power before the race was run. The lessee
and the jockey have told their friends OF
the killing that was to be pulled off and
the ring deluged with their money to back
the horse, and they have been surprised to
find their calculations miscarry The maker
has captured their money through the me-
dunn Of some bookmaker who has been told
of his breach of trust.
The writer knows CT several cases OF this
sort, and 1t Is these opportunities Of abuse
that ends all chance OF the existing rules
being repealed. There is no question but
what sulky horses could be made to run
true with this electrical persuasion. II IL
could be applied regularly no legitimate OBJ
lection could be made. but as there Is no
chance OF this. 1t must remain on the list
OF forbidden practices. Some will use III but
when they do II viii be IN secret Detection
viii mean turf exile. but many viii be found
willing to take the chances Of Punishment,