The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18


soon blossomed with flashing colors and
was magnet for tho thousands OF men
who went there not only to try their
luck with the horses. but also to meet old
friends and incidentally admire the many they
did not know. Moro than 100 bookmakers
had stools In the betting ring. and they were
subjected to the toughest kind OF treatment
There never was such lighting. bowling. ex-
citable mob in this lnclosure since the inauRu-
rnt!on OF the sport II was as much as mans
life was worth to go into the ring for the pur-
pose Of making bet. Ono who was not ac-
customed to such things probably became dis
couraged and went away without placing his
money.
Commissioners from big bettors formed a
small army. and they kept up such fierce on
slaughts upon the pencllers that there was a
running fight all the afternoon. In many
instances the bookmnkers and their clerks
we're overpowored to such an extent that they
became scattered and had to call upon the
police to make new spaces for them. There
were many personal encounters among
individuals who were either in too much
OF hurry to take advantage Of tempting
odds or objected to, being jostlcd about
by men who had no idea Of polite
ness. 1t was case OF rush from
one end Of the betting ring to the other.
Whenever the names Of the Jockeys were hung
up there was q stampede to that end OF the
ring and then countercharge back to the
books. which were arranged around four sides.
The layers who offered one. two. three betting
Jared worse than the others. They were To-
Gated up against the fence. which shut Off the
free field. and when the betting on the big race
opened they were literally pinned against the
wall One book maker was Knocked down by a
big fellow who insisted upon betting $50 on
Banastar before the price was displayed,
Il want to bet this $50 right now he bel
lowed. land you can't get away from it."
will you wait minute until put the price
down here Z" cried the bookmaker. who had
not room enough to move his fingers. What
do you mean by crowdng me up this way. any
way? Why don't you stand up there and give
me a chance"
I'll give you chance all right" replied the
big man. land here 1t is
TROUBLE IN THE BETTING RING.
With that he hauled of and punched the
bookmaker flush in the mouth. The latter foil
over back ward. hut jumped up with u stool in
his hand He took aim at the big rowdys
head. but bystanders got between them and
Pinksrton man in plain clothes grabbed the
would-be bettor by the neck. He received
good kicking all the way to the gate and was
thrown out His unrulv behavior had saved
him his $50. however. 1t was said by many
that much OF the roughng was done by per-
sons who were sore at heart over losing money
and wanted IN some way to get square with the
layers. There has been much trouble in the
betting ring on big race days Of late that a
mum Der OF the bookmakers are anxious to have
the old system OF high boxes restored They
say that there appears to be no good reason
why 1t Is any more illegal to stand on a box or
platform four or five feet high. in which their
clerks can cit and record wagers and take care
Of the money. than to be compelled to squat
upon stools so low down that the crowd on foot
obscures them from view and so shuts them in
that they cannot do business with facility.
1t is a general complaint. too among bettors
that some method should be in vogue by which
II would be easier for them to see the quotations
displayed against the candidates in each race
BY the present arrangement 1t is impossible
TO ind out what prices are offered by tho book
makers unless a man fights his way up to with
in a foot Of the layer. in whose hand IL slate
four inches wide by eight inches long. The odds
cannot be marked in figures large enough to be
seen two yards away and as a result there is
no end OF disorder In the betting ring yes
terday inability to find out the odds and also to
get within arms length of the bookmakers
without being torn to pieces drove a large
number OF spectators away, and thereby de- |
prived them OF an afternoons sport. Accord |
Ing to the law legalizing racing the old ar
rangements cannot be readopted but it is be-
lieved that some action may be taken at Al |
bany at the next session OF the Legislature to |
remedy the evil.
WHEN THE SUBURBAN HORSES WE'RE CALLED |
During the running Of the first three races |
yesterday the crowd was gradually swelled in |
proportions until 1t would be fair to say that
not less than 80. 600 persons were inside the |
H. t,,nl ,Lap tha Gal
dates were called to the post. The scene at
that time was worthy OF reproduction by
camera and the artists brush Stretching far
across the green nfleld could be seen thou
sands OF men and boys. who had been forced
TO that part OF the grounds by the overcrowd-
ing Of other places. They hung upon the
rail- stood upon various obstacles which were
quickly seized. and waited good naturedly for
the appearance Of the thoroughbreds. The free
field up near the starting line was a seethng
caldron Of straw-hatted humanity. The
people were packed in so tight there that 1t
seemed as II tidal wave Of straw hats had
floated In from the sea. The stand was jamme
80 that men hung over the edges and gasped
for breath as they were crushed forward by
those behind. Hundreds could not sec the
track at all. and were forced to stand anywhere
In the background and receive Information by
word OF mouth from the more fortunate ones
who had better places;
Up In the big grand stand. which was filled
TO Overlooking. q band OF music PLAYED popular
airs and kept everybody in good humor Along
the promenade in the rear OF the stand there
looked at on both sides by lines of well dressed
men. In the cafe. whore cold small bottles
were popping every minute. there We're more
women and men who were joyous over their
winnings in the earlier races and were
to como. Down on the green in front Of the
grand stand were thousands who had given up
the task OF making progress hither and thither
and were wedged In together on the soft grass,
which was soon beaten into a coloress mass.
just beyond the paddock was alled uncomfort-
ably full. so that II was a difficult matter for
the Jockeys to get to their mounts.
BANAsTAR THE POPULAR FAyoRGTE.
Throughout this immense gathering there
was one thought. That was as to the probable
winner. and what chance each man or woman
had Of taking away some of the book makers
ooin. 80 much had been said and written
about Banastar that the public came down to
the track confident that he would win His
price was made 80 short in the books that the
majority OF enthusiasts could not see how he
Rould lose. His remarkable victory in the
Brooklyn Handicap. the fact that he was
to represent an owner who would run him for
all he was worth, and the engagement Of that
sterling jockey. Danny VI iher. to ride him
proved a combination which seemed to hyp-