The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-22
THE JOCKEYS LIFE.
1T Is NOT ALL APPLAUSE AND THE
TAKING OF MONEY.

and Keep Good Habits.
From the New York Telegraph.
Across the field what looks like a
white ribbon suspended over a gigantic
bed of bright-colored flowers flies up
ward. For moment cloud of dust
hides the scene; then, as in one voice.
the occupants of the grandstand, who
have risen to their feet in the excite
ment shout they're off,
So rapt has the big crowd become
in watching the great race there is 81
lence at first, then CALCULATIONS from
men describing the positions of the
different horses. Like a flash they
have come around the turn into the
stretch. Now the men shout wildly
the name of the horse they think will
win The women cry Historically. 1t
is nearly over. In another instant the
thoroughbreds have rushed past the
grandstand, jockeys whipping madly,
the leader giving one quick f1eeting
glance over his shoulder as he flashes
past the grandstand
The race is lost and won. The best
horse, with the aid of his rider, has
captured the prize. See! they have
turned back to the judges stand. The
winning jockey is greeted with en-
thusiasm as he holds UP his whip for
permission to dismount. He has
been placed in the floral horseshoe re-
served for the winner of the big event.
The crowded stand is in buzz of adj
rniration over the excellent work of
the jockey. Such expressions as these
are heard:
Good Boy, Good Pay.
"a great ride that" "They say
he'll get a thousand dollars at least,
in addition to his regular salary, for
winning that race"
Pretty good pay, that" the listener
will probably say. Il don't know of
anything that pays as we'll as being
Jockey. It's a regular cinch."
Evidently the speaker is unacquaint
ed with the business of racing. To
be a jockey is not to have a sinecure.
Not by a long shot. Taking the dan
ger of calling out of the question,
it is work hard work. Riding the
ed with it. Careful preparation must
be made by every jockey Not alone
are the thoroughbreds trained for the
races. The riders likewise have their
particular rules of physical culture
which they must observe. Always
before the jockey stands one bette
noir-the scales Privation, to a certain
extent. is the strict rule whenever
jockey is inclined to take on flesh.
Weight is his nightmare.
Day begins with the jockey, in most
instances, during the regular racing
season, when the sun rises. 1t is his
duty to exercise the thoroughbreds.
While all exercise boys are not jock
eys, many jockeys are exercise boys
for the time being. To rise from
the bed, then with the dawn is part
of the Jockeys daily duties, slipping
quickly into his rough working clothes
and swallowing cup of coffee.
Sleep at the Stables.
Do they sleep right at the stable,
these boys whose services demand so
many thousands a year? Most assured
ly. You probably thought that they
had apartments" at some high-class
hotel where they could be seen at
night surrounded by their admirers,
the envy of the less fortunate individ-
uals. Not so.
jogging around the track breezing
the horse, going at 1:40 clip, is the
first item on the daily routine. Such
riding daily would be enough to wear
out one but one who is accustomed
to it. This working out" business is
harder than racing. The excitement Is
lacking.
A return to the training quarters,
where breakfast is served. If 1t is a
boy like Bullman, or Burns or George
Odon, care must be exercised In the
matter of eating. Too many sweets
mean too much flesh and are tabooed.
Breakfast over, more exercise. Per
haps a trip to the scales. Several
pounds overweight for a particular
race Bad business. Two suits of
heavy underwear two heavy sweaters
on a hot summers day and run of
four or five miles and return under the
Jl11t iG
is better than a Turkish bath at that.
Not uncommonly there are gymnasi-
ums connected with the stable, where
the Jockeys can build up their muscle
and reduce their flesh with regular eX-
ercise. When Sam Doggett was a reg
ular jockey, instead of trainer he had
4 thoroughly equipped place at his
home near Sheepshead, where he used
to fight fat. 1t was an unequal con-
test however. Winnie OConnor was
accustomed to patronize Doggett's
gymnasium while he was down in the
vicinity of the Bay. He used to put
on the gloves with such of his friends
that cared to take the chances OF run
ming up against one on the solar pleXus
with him. OConnor was pretty good
all-round athlete; he was particularly
clever with the mitts.
Rich Food Cut Out.
Suppose the question of weight has
been settled satisfactorily. By this time
it is 10 or II O'Clock. If 1t is the
latter hour it is near lunch time. All
hands, including the jockey ana the
trainer adjourn to the dining room,
where the Chinese cook has prepared
a good repast. Such a lightweight as
Redfern, for instance can eat practl-
cally without fear of gaining weight
too rapidly. Still, he must be careful
to partake of only wholesome dishes.
The Jockey must be in the pink of con-
dition. Rest after lunch, conversa-
ton, general instructions from the
trainer, outside matters to be settlGu'
perhaps a walk home Ito see the
folks"
One O'Clock has arrived. EVERYBODY
becomes restless. The jockey gets up
from his resting place, If he has re-
NAMED at the stable, and walks
around. They are nervous chaps any
way. Then down to the paddock. mere
he meets other riders. Up to the JOCK
eys' room. where his colors are hand
ed him by the man in charge, ana
which he dons. oh, by the way ne
cannot enter the grounds, if he is out
side. them, through the main entrance
And. once inside the paddock ne en-
not 60 outside unless his races TOT
the day are finished -.
The actors in a Broadway 2rouuc-
ton do not come out and mlngle WIN
the audience, and practically the Same
strictness applies to the Jockeys 1ney
must remain in the paddock Whsii e,.e