The sun., 1904-11-03
GOSSIP OF THE RACETRACK.
C. u. FITZGERALD RESIGNS THE
POST OF STARTER.
win Assume the Entire Management Of
the Brighton Beach Track-fiis Fare
well Advice 70 the jockeys at Jamaica
Hoffman May Join Mars Cassidy.

the Brighton Beach Track-His Fare.
well Advice 10 the jockeys at Jamaica
Hoffman May Join Mars Cassidy
Christopher J. Fitzgerald has notified
August Belmont. chairman Of the Jockey
Club. that after the present campaign In
the East he will no longer act as starter. Mr.
Fitzgerald started his last race on the metro
polltan tracks at Jamaica yesterday after
noon and will wind up his contract with
the Jockey Club at Baltimore next week.
After that he will go to New Orleans to act
as starter for a part OF the winter meeting
there. and will then retire permanently from
the occupation that has made him famous
In the turf world.
But Mr.. Fitzgerald will not withdraw
entirely from racing, for he has just signed
ten year contract with william A. Enge-
man to take entire charge Of the affairs Of
the Brighton Beach Racing Association
lie will be elected the president OF that organ
ization and will receive salary In excess
OF that which he has received from the Jock ey
Club for handling the barrier. Mr.. Fitz-
gerald also will be identified with Mr.. Enge-
man In various other enterprises and is to
be congratulated on his new berth. Out
side interests compelled Mr. Engeman to
find relief from the responsibility of manag-
ing the Brighton track. and for that reason
he made the offer to Mr.. Fitzgerald. which
has just been accepted.
1t was with regret that turfmen Learned
the news yesterday, but at that they were
not slow to congratulate Mr.. Fitzgerald in
the warmest way. Mr.. Belmont was surprised
when he learned the facts but he told Mr..
Fitzgerald that although he regretted to
lose his services he was gratlfied to hear
that he had succeeded in securing such
splendid place. Mr.. Fitzgerald said the
present officials at Brighton. Racing Secretary
John Boden, Jr. and Track Superintendent
Thomas Glare, would be retained and that
the track would be greatly improved before
another season.
L am very grateful to the racing public. y
he said. for 1t 8 kind indulgence and patience.
Starting racehorses is no chld's play. and 1t
will be relief for me to get away from II.
The strain and worry is something that few
persons have any idea Of. and for that reason
shall be glad to have rest from my present
duties My new position will give me chance
to be with my family more than formerly.
and can take trip abroad, perhaps. which
has been the ambition Of my life. In retiring
am proud to say that since first began
starting horses I have never had an angry
word with an owner or trainer. shall not
lose my identity with the turf. however. and
] shall always be near my old friends.
just after the NTH race Mr.. Fitzgerald
summoned all the boys to the Jockeys room
and made a few remarks to them for the last
time.
Boys. ] shall not have authority over you
after the next race. he said. "as am going
to retire. But want to give you bit OF
advice. Make all the money while YOU can
and snve It, You will not always be small
and some OF you will be as big as am. You
have chance now that will soon be gone.
Make no trouble for anybody. Always obey
the starter and YOU will prosper I wish
YOU all the best Of luck Now form In line
and let me say good-by to each OF you
The Jockeys were taken completely by
surprise. They walked up, one after another.
and shook hands with the big starter many
of them choking down sobs.
It was all over in a minute. and Mr.. Fitz-
gerald hurried swav. visibly affected. He
first began starting twelve years aeo in To-
ronto. when he filed the place OF starter
Caldwell, who was III. Later he handled the
nag at the st. Asaph track until it was out
lawed Ten years q 20 ne became the starter
AZ the New Orleans track. and HIS work at
tracted so much attention that he was en-
ared by the jockey Club in 1897. Since that
time Mr. Fitzgerald has done remarkable
work. Year in and year out he has enjoyed
the confidence OF the public. He is looked
upon by rnceeoers and horsemen In general
n. The soul Of honor and Ia conscientious to
fault.
"wheneyer Fitz has made a bad start"
said well known trainer yesterday, 1T has
alwavs been an accepted fact that there
was no motive. He has always tried to do
his best and has never been known TO favor
an~hody. even his lifelong friends. He
will be missed,
II is said that Mars Cassidy who will be
retained by the Jockey Club as starter next
year will have Jacob Hoffman. the crack
Western starter. MS co-worker. Those
who have seen Hoffman start he is one
OF the best that ever handled a barrier. No
less an authority t'inn Capt s. s. Brown
SAYS Hoffman il the best starter he ever
saw Hoffman has not yet been engaged by
the Jockey Club. but negotiations are under
wav.
Bar Ie Due. the winner OF the second race
YESTERDAY was backed down from 100 10 1
TO 50. Dutch Pete" stire. his trainer. had a
40 bet on him straight aRainst -, 900. while
the stable boy who rubbed the horse down
after the race told his friends that he. too.
had won ~ nm more money than he had ever
seen In his life before. There we're many
small warers on the horse by railbirds and
stable boys and they made a great time
OF II when the horse got home in front
Senator W. Fl. Reynolds was one OF those
who thought Gamara could beat Dandellon
in the Remsen Handicap. and his opinion
cost him sS .o0o.
David Gideon backed The Hupuenot. Dia-
mond. DandelIon and Goldneur. enjoying his
usual good fortune. Z,
Emil Herr. formerly a part owner OF Nc
Chesney was visitor at the track