The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-11
ODOM VILE RIDE FOR NEW FIRM.
No Disagreement Between Thomas and
Shlrlds--saratOxa Track Well Made.

SARATOGA, n. Y, Aug. t0.-Since Saturday
evening the Saratoga rumor factory has
been working day and night to turn out two
sensations for delivery at the racetrack
this afternoon One concerned the anger Of
Edward r. Thomas over the disqualification
of Uermis in the first race on Saturday and
the possible rupture OF MIR Thomas's newly
formed partnership with Alexander Shields,
because Mr.. Thomas insisted that 0dom.
upon whose services Mr. Shields had second
call, should not ride the horses Of the new
firm, while Mr.. Shields insisted that the firm 8
horses should be ridden by nobody else than
Odom when the boy was not required 10 rae
for Capt $ $. Brown.
The other sensation had TO do with the
faulty construction of the Saratoga track
Both products were delivered at the track
between the first and second races In short
time after delivery, the story was awning
that Mr. Thomas had ordered the sale OF his
horses at public auction. Here are the facts.
obtained from headquarters. regarding both
yarns:
The Thomas-Shields partnership has not
been dissolved and Thomas has no intention OF
selling his horses. On the contrary, he ana
Mr., Shields have practically agreed on the
purchase of more horses and the names oil
the animals selected will be announced as
Other purchases will follow until the frm
has in its barn thoroughbreds Of the number
and character satisfactory to Mr.. Shields.
Mrs Thomas has never expressed an
approval or disapproval of Odom since she
regards the question OF who or who shall not
ride her husbands horses as his business
and not hers But the story got to Odom
this afternoon and he was inclined to accept
1t as true without investigation. He there
, upon remarked that he could find plenty
OF work without riding for man whose wife
did not like him. Later he talked with Mr..
Shields. who told the jockey that he could
hold on 10 the retainer or let II go. as he liked
but that there was no truth in the story which
he had heard. Ihereupon II was announced
that Odom would continue in the employ
of Thomas and Shields.
track about which there has been much tax
since the unsatisfactory results OF Saturdays
racing an expert track maker made the FOL
lowing statement to THE Sun correspondent
this afternoon
AT the request of certain persons made a
careful Inspection of the track this morning
Structuraly there is not fault IN IT, 1t was
made as all good tracks should be made,
for dry weather. rather than wet, When 1t
d ries out there will be no trouble with IL
The only criticism would make IA that there
is in view OF the fact that there may be.
mt any time, several days of rain, little too
much clay in the top dressing. We're there
less IL would dry more quickly. But
there was no excuse for the path next to the
inner rail on Saturday,
Il never saw 1t here before or anywhere
else especially on a day when rich and i'm
portant stakes were to be run for. But that
was not the fault of the track. 1t was the
fault of whoever is Immediately responsible
for the care OF the course.
Had the track been narrowed over its
entire width there would have been no path
and the results of the races would have been
quite different, There was no path to-day,
because the track was properly worked over
The officers OF the association should see TO
il that their track master attends to his busi-
ness