New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-24
"PHILS ENTRIES OUT.
Jockey Club Takes Action against
George E. Smith.
/ ELIMINATION OF SHAW CASE

ELIMINATION OF SHAW CASE.
The stewards Of the Jockey Club at a meeting
held yesterday afternoon. at which August Bel
mont, J. H. Bradford. F r. Hitchcock and H
K. Knapp were present. decided that hereafter
the entries Of George E. Smith-the racetrack
plunger known as "Pittsburg Phir'-should be
refused by all associations racing under its
Jurisdiction, and refused to reipstate the Jockey
William Shaw
The news Of this drastic measure on the part
of the Jockey Club was made known after the
last race was run at Sheepshead Bay yesterday
afternoon. and while ii created good deal of a
sensation IL did not come as complete surprise
To those who have been in a position to under
stand the Jockey Clubs attitude toward Smith.
Although the stewards in explanation of their
action merely say it is for the best interest Of
the turf. it is generally understood that 1t is
merely the elimination of the turf scandal
which led some six weeks ago to the indefinite
suspension of Willie Shaw. the jockey under
contract 70 ride for .Pittsburg Phil" At the
Jamaica meeting Shaw rode ". G Daly's Illyria,
and was beaten off by F7en Howard and a num-
Der Of other cheap horses. a few days later
Illyria. ridden this time by another boy, ran
August Belmont's Mizzen TO a head finish in a
rich stake at Morris Park.
The suspension Of the jockey Immediately fol-
lowed and il was inferred that ''Pittsburg Phil
had interested himself in the two races. He was
called before the stewards. and offered to give
$4,000 TO any one who would prove that he had
bet penny on the Jamaica race. Afterward he
offered TO give $4,000 to any one who would
prove that he had ever been involved in any turf
trickery.
At the time the Jockey Club took no further
action but the prediction was freely made that
the public had not heard the last Of the scandal,
5efiu has hpe
against Smith. The relations which have existed
between him and Shaw have aroused suspicion.
For number Of years "Pittsburg Phil" had
hired Shaw. one of the most finished riders in
the country to ride hs horses, ana at salary
which his limited stable did not seem TO justify.
Shaw. when nor riding for his employer. was at
liberty to accept outside mounts. and his worth
to the plunger. it is alleged, thus became ap-
parent.
The boys handling OF certain outside"
mounts has been the cause Of many unpleasant
stories in which 'Pittsburg Phil" was always
central figure. The stewards summary action
would seem at least to put check on this pict-
uresdue plunger's turf operations, which have
extended now over a period of fifteen years. and
which have made him the most spectacular
gambler in the country.
G. E. Smith began as a cork cutter out IN
Pittsburg and first attracted attention by his
daring and successful coups on the Western
tracks He came East year later and repeated
his horse King Cadmus won at Gravesend, IT is
said he cleaned up 100000. At present his
sta bic consists of Grand Opera. Stevedore, Chill
ton and Lord Turco, and he is said TO have an
interest in certain other selling platers run in
the colors of several other owners. His broth
or Bill Smith has always trained for him