The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26

Gray racing law OF this State. Horses are
the breed without the assistance OF the
speculative public. But IL Is weli-kept
secret that while the old style bookmakef
mas gone the way OF all things he has been
succeeded by a gentleman known az q
layer OF Odds" who answers all the prac-
teal purposes Of the man who once stood
the public regarding the relative merits OF
contesting thoroughbreds. The layer OF
odds is more quiet man than was the
Dookmaker, but he Is just as fortunate. He
has as keen a knowledge of horses as biz
predecessor, and he is Ia just as willing 10
gamble Layers of odds divide themselves
garded as legitimate and who may be de-
pended on 10 make good all obliEations
tney incur belong 70 what is known as the
Metropolitan Turf Association, which IL
sometimes known as the Bookmakers' Club.
Next come the headlines
AT the tracks the Nets occupy favored
be discerned from their less responsible
brothers. The "dead-line" runs around the
back side OF the betting ring. and there the
lesser lights contrive to do a considerable
business. their clients for the NEST part be-
ing men who seldom make a wager OF more
than s.
IN THE FREE FIELD
The third class of layers Of odds are the
men who have their stands in what II mis-
takenly called the free field" They out
number either the Nets" or the dead
liners" and Il often happens that their
business is most profitable. They get very
little Of what is known as educated
money. Few of the plungers send any part
OF their commissions into the free field.
Having no knowledge of bookmakine. the
jockey clubs which control the race tracks
still manage to derive much income from
the men who accept the publc's money in
the way of wagers. The members OF the
Metropolitan Turf Association each pay $57
net each day into the treasury of the track
where racing lie being carried on. More than
100 were in line Suburban day at Sleeps
head, and an equal number took the money
in at Gravesend on Brooklyn handicap day.
The average number of NETS" doing BUSH
ness day In and day out Is placed at eighty.
The layers of the second class, who average
tbs SIXTY II m pay ~ sssn
free field IL is an off day when there are
not loo layers OF odds clamoring for patron-
age Each. one OF the 100 contributes slI
gins business.
Thus it will be seen that the Nets" pay
gross amount Of $3.50 into the track
line" pay $500 before quoting prices on
the first race. From the free neld N,1oo ID
sent TO headquarters before racing begins.
The tidy sum OF s. $50 Is contributed from
the three betting rings, and each day this
amount and another large sum for the ex-
penses OF the bookmaker in other directions
must be won before there is show or
profit A careful study OF these figures
may indicate to the intelligent man why
it is so difficult for him to defeat the layers
There is another source OF revenus te the
race tracks which Is seldom epofen about
and concerning which few know anything.
There Is In existence concern which FUR
nishes sporting information by telegraph
Any person can purchase from that com.
pany information regarding the progress or
racing, the prices quoted by the bookmak-
ers and the names of the jockeys on the
various horses. Anyone can purchase this
information. but few do 90 who are not IN
some manner interested In a poolroom.
For the privilege Of having Its " res In the
tracks the company that disseminatss In
formation to the poolrooms Of the country
Ever, SO minor a concession a. the priv
ilege of selling programmes is worth about
500 to the race track The restaurants
privilege pays $3.50 day. There ara too.
orally for the right to DO business The
total from these Concessions makes lfoeral
sum; the exact amount IL kept secret.
OTHER PLANS TO MAKE CASH.
Finally, from the horse owners them
selves liberal returns are obtained ~ the
proprietors Of the tracks. Entrance fees
to the races are paid willingly BY the men
who think their candidates have q chance
to win. Some of the richest stakes that
have been competed for have really re-
turned net profit to the track owners. In
other words. the owners of thoroughbreds
have made a sweepstakes. and after turn
ing a portion Of II over to the jockey club
managing the affair. have sent their ami
mails out TO see IL they can win back the
amount OF the investment.
In this way thousansd OF dollars are col
lected every day, and again the treasury OF
the track is swelled. When $4,000 10 not
received by the treasurer of one OF the met
ropolitan tracks at the close OF day OK
racing he feels that something 10 wrong
and that he has not been fairly dealt With.
the owners of a race track. And 70 u %.
But while the profits are heavy. there 10
another side Of the question which bears
looking into. II costs mint Of money 10
keep up such a track as Sheepshead bay.
Morris Park. Saratoga, or even Brighton
Beach. Almost every day there are Inn
provements TO make, and IL In only BY the
exercise of the greatest care that the tracks
are kept in safe condition.
Below is a table of the great sums made
by horse racing around New York IL n no
wonder that, controlling the sport 40 they
do, the bosses of the game viii call any
body an outlaw who dares to race with
out their permission. and IL is a pretty safe
guess that so long sportsnen VIII agree
with their verdicts they will never allow
any racing 10 take place I'm the South.
though in Baltimore an effort was made to
revive old Pimlico. The table follows:
Est. gross