The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-21
BIG RACING SCANDAL
RECALLS FAMOUS DEAL
Davis Case Was Very Similar to
the Little Pete" Scandal on
the Coast.
SYMPATHIZERS ARE FEW

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 1.-The sensa-
tional disclosure of the betting ring scandal
here a short time ago, when Bookmaker
Davis and a clique of Jockeys were ruled
off. has furnished food for turf gossip. But
there were no sympathizers for either the
bookmaker or the jockeys he is said to
have used as tools. 1t is the general belief
here that Davis was caught with the
goods" as it were. indicated by the change
ne made in his quotations after the change
in riders had been announced and the state
of his betting sheet on which he kept his
records. That Lynch who is reported to
have been his accompliee in such matters,
is dangerous person within thousand
miles of race track is acknowledged, as
he apparently hampers with the sport
whether he be allowed the track privileges
not.
The fact that Lynch's name has been
brought into the scheme gives rise to the
belief that some one in the ring has ex
posed the workings or the plot, unless the
smart trailing of the Pinkertons has fur
nished such evidence. 1t is more likely,
however, that some one of the boys has
turned states evidence or the ruling could
hardly have been as wholesome it was.
1t looks like sweep out Of all concerned.
Davis claims Lynch was not connected with
Not since the Little Pete" scandal has
there been the like in turf circles This
one was possibly conducted upon the same
or almost similar lines. In that case there
was no observable collision between the
riders and the plunger. 1t was all done
systematically, according to the tips sent
out by w. Sink. The agreement between
horses were tipped by Sink to win certain
races, either first, third or fifth, or any
others designated, should be assisted to win
by the jockeys in the scheme consequently
necessary.
riders knowing just what to do every day
and Pete" playing the money accordingly.
For many weeks Sink got the reputation
Of being the greatest tpster in the world
and the demand for his information was
exceedingly large, his subscribers being al
most assured of three winners every day,
besides those that would win some of the
other races.
The result of all this jobbery was the
in a barber shop while being shaved in the
section of San Francisco known as China
town. Pete" was said to have been one
of the most intelligent Celestials in the
country. No one ever doubted 1t, for any
one who could cover up tracks after fraud
in such dexterous manner is surely en-
titled to the credit of some intelligence.
Davis, the star performer in the more re-
cent case of jobbery, is a member of the
Metropolitan Turf Association in this city
and last season did business on the East
a congenial sort Of man, and obliging. 1t is
claimed that he was one of the few book
makers who could boast of retiring from
the scene winner on the Eatern races.
Being ruled off the turf In San Francisco
means that the ruling extends all over the
world, as there is a reciprocal feeling ex-
listing between every jockey club. No help
can come from the Nets any more than
was extended to Mark Reardon when he
was ruled off for his alleged completely in
the pulling of Wax Taper at Sheepshead
Bay. In Reardon's case it was another IL
lustration of a deceitful friend. He was ex-
posed by one of the party turning state S
evidence. 1t is the general opinion here that
Davis will not be allowed the privileges of
any track until the California Jockey Club
has lifted the ban, or he has proven his in
nocence.
Bookmaker Jim" Davis, who appears as
the heavy villain in the plot halls from
Eureka, Cal, and not many years ago
was a telegraph operator. He first Bios
somed as a bookmaker about seven years
ago at the Ingleside track. and after several
on his feet. financially, and in partnership
with Bart" Cavanaugh, the Sacramento
politician, has presumably grown to be a
man of wealth. He and Cavanaugh dis
solved partnership few weeks ago, after
Davis had returned from a profitable sea-
son in the far East for be it known that
the penciler was q member of the Metro
politan Turf Association, New Yorks ex-
elusive bookmaking organization. He re-
bourne Club, and according to report has
makers have been losing. And thereby
hangs the tale of bribery and wholesale
corruption of three of the leading Jockeys
at present on the coast.