The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-12
JOCKEYS IN TRAINING
KEEPING THE WEIGHT DOWN IS NOT
A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.

at Is a popular belief" n well known
trainer said TO n reporter recently,
"that jockey has TO resort to all sorts
Of injurious practices In order TO keep
his weight within required limits. The
idea, however, is far st~tched one.
OF course u jockey has TO 20 through
certain exercises each day and has to
be very much more careful regarding
what he puts in his stomach than most
people In order to keep his weight down
and from acquiring supcriluity of
flesh. but he certainly does not starve
himself, as Is generally supposed. If
he did so he would break down entirely
I'm very short time. \ jockey must
also be In the best possible physical
trim and have his wits about him be-
fore race, and to attain that he must
be careful how he uses his constitution
There are two very important things
n jockey A6s 10 consider In studying his
dietary. lie must see TO II that his food
is of the best quality and that II con
talns practically no flesh forming prop
instance soups, beef, pork, potatoes,
puddings and pastries n Jockey must
deny himself Coffee, tea or other
drinks are only taken very moderately,
as all liquids help more or less in put
ting on flesh.
although n jockey has TO eschew
such foods, there are many other varie-
ties which he gets just as much pleas
ure in eating and which Mt the same
time are equally as good and strength
ening for his constitution. \ few days
before race Jockey who has
mount In II will not stint himself pro
vided he has no fear of overlapping
his proper weight for the race-in any
thing which he thinks will not inter
fere with his digestive apparatus.
''Some jockeys, of course, take on
and lose flesh quicker than others. |
have known one or two who We're par
ticularly anxious to ride in certain
races, but for which they were perhaps
as much as eight or nine pounds too
heavy, who reduced that weight in the
same number of days. To accomplish
that, however, they have to resort prac-
tlcally to Starving Diet leaving as
little as the strain on the vitality viii
permit without breaking down and try
ing to reduce their overweight by GER
tain sweating exercises. 1t Is needless
to say that no jockey could stand too
frequent repetitions of such severe
measures TO subtract from his weight
without danger of permanently injur-
ing his health and even sacrificing his
life; still, many willingly resort to such
get light weight quick methods where
they see good opportunities of making
a name or q pile of money for them
selves.
TT must be remembered that by ma
ture jockeys as a whole are not of sub
stantial physique or imposing in height,
although they are as tough as whip
cord. If they We're. therefore, to in
dulge every day in the heavy bill of
fare that the average business or work
ing man partakes of 1t is not probable
that they would increase much in
weight or height. You often see Jock
eys In the big hotels and restaurants
at the various racing sections after a
race tucking in big and expensive din
ners with gusto and relish that
would give q chronic dyspeptic an APP
petite for hard tack.
walking, running, cycling, punching
the bag and hurdle jumping are favor
lite exercises among jockeys to keep
their weight down. On going out for
walk or run they wrap themselves in
the thlckest of woolen sweaters and
other heavy clothing, no matter how
high the temperature may be, and the
exercise is kept up for Il distance per-
haps of eight or nine miles, or, as we
say, until you are drowned in sweat
Turkish baths are also frequently in
dulged in by many, and they must
wear excessively warm clothing after,
and also when going for a gallop, no
matter IL the weather be boiling hot
II should say that ten or twelve
years is the average of Jockeys ac-
tive turf life. The length of his career,
however, depends a great deal on his
riding ability and luck.
Jockeys are not of saving class,
and with but few exceptions l know
enough money away to keep him in
even half decent comfort after retiring
from the turf. The majority, however,
succeed In scraping up bank roll of
sufficient dimensions to start in some
business. Like retired pugllists, they
have fondness for the liquor busi-
ness, and i know few one time Jock
eys who are prospering in that trade in
different parts Of the country. Others,
again, become 'bookies,' poolroom keep
ers and enter into such businesses as
enable them to crafty their inveterate
love for gambling. know of only one
ex-jockey who is an exception to this
rule. He retired some years ago with
$4,000 to his credit, and he immedi-
ately went into the real estate business
In New Jersey. Today he is doing well.
He was fortunate enough, however to
receive good common school educa-
tion In his early boyhood days-and
LLN n Il