The San Francisco call., 1906-11-28
Jockeys Weird Ride on Gypsy King
Arouses Ire OF the Owner
YESTERDAYS WINNERS
By u. R. Jeffery

-
King this afternoon settled him so
far as | am concerned. | believed,
and still believe, that Gypsy King
was by far the best horse in the
race, and backed up my judg-
ment with substantial wager
on him. | have not asked the
judges to make an investigation
of Knapp's ride on my horse be-
cause | have no proof that there
was anything crooked about it.
have been informed, however,
that the Balm Club took $4,000
against the chances of my horse,
which seems to me to be large
amount for a small book to lay
against such a good-looking 3 to
) shot as Gypsy King appeared
to be on his recent races here. I
can't afford to continually lose on
horses that should win for me, and so
1 shall put some other jockey up on
the horses that I start hereafter. I
do not know who will do the riding
for me in the next few days, but 1
shall probably send East for a good
boy that 1 can have some confidence
in"
1t was in these words that Sam Hill
dreth. the influential owner trainer
expressed himself when approached by
the writer after the running of the
Beldame handicap at Emeryville yes
terday. Jockey Knapp's ride on
Gypsy King was one of the wierdest
exhibitions of horsemanship seen at
the track since the opening of the
racing season, and was the final straw
that broke the camel's back. Knapp
has frequently called forth the censure
of the talent on account of his rides on
short-priced favorites, but somehow or
other he has always escaped with MOTH
ing more serious than public criticism.
Heretofore his employers have always
stood by him stoutly and have found
excuses for his bad riding, so that,
while he has been persona non grata
with the great body of the racegoing
public, he has continued to ride some
of the best horses in training, fire.
quently with disaster to their hackers.
There were only six starters in the
Beldame handicap yesterday, but
Knapp managed to get his mount cut
off after breaking in front. He took
the horse back repeatedly, and when
it was coming like whirlwind
pect of reaching the wire first in spite
Of the way it had been handled in
the early running, Knapp rode it in
behind the bunch of leaders in such
a way that IT was impossible to get
through and finished outside the
money, although his horse was going
much faster than any of the others.
Those who watched the running of
the race closely were of the opinion
that there was no need for the taking
back Of the horse as much as was
done, even If he had been cut off by
accident. as claimed, and that the
tactics of Knapp in the stretch run
had more suspicious look than any
other phase OF the race. The storm
of public disapproval of Knapp's mis-
handling OF well supported favorites,
which had been gathering for a long
time, broke after the race. and the
remark, If Knapp gets away with |
this he is certainly a wonder" and |
similar expressions We're heard all
over the ring. Judge Hopper. after /
the races, said that Knapp's ride had /
not been made the subject of any off, |
cial action.
LOOKS LIKE A WINNER
If ever a horse looked like a le- !
gitimate odds-on favorite, Gypsy King
did. He had started four times since
the opening Of the meeting, and after
running a close second to Sir Edward /
his first time out won his next three
races in impressive style. On Friday I
last he won a six-furlong race easily I
in 1:12 2-5. defeating such sprinters as I
Collector Jessup and Cloudlight by (
several lengths The first six fur I
longs yesterday were run in 1:12 AS.
and the six and a half furlongs in /
1:20. Gypsy King is supposed to like +
the additional half furlong that he /
was asked to go yesterday The tai
ent have been wondering how good /
horse he is, being confident that he is I
much better than he has yet shown I
In connection with the episode it is /
said that Romaine was sent away
yesterday as good thing to be I
played in the poolrooms throughout /
the country. How Romaine could be I
figured as a good thing against Gypsy
King is not easy of explanation.
In spite of the defeat of Gypsy /
King, the bookmakers had losing /
day, three favorites being successful. 7
Two second choices and third
chOlce account Tor the rest of the
card. The finish was close in only
two cases. Gemmell, a likely colt
owned by Stuart Polk, made a show
of the field of youngsters in the two
year-old event with which the card
was opened. Admirably ridden by A /
Brown. he got off in front and, show I
ing superior speed. spreadeagIed his
field and won. pulled up, by five +
lengths Marion Rose. the favorite 4
was IN close quarters and could not (
do her best Long shots took second +
and third money.
CLANDESTINE WINS SECOND.
Clandestine. with Hildebrand up. won
the second by only a neck from Tim
Hurst, the latter showing conspicuous
improvement. Distributor ran swell /
race for the first time out and was
beaten neck for the show by Lille
Gregg.
Morendo, even money favorite in the
third. made it three straight by win
ming easily after getting off very poor /
". and, furthermore. being carried out
at the last turn by Harbor. The latter. /
with Byronerdale. had been heavily |
played to beat the favorite, but neither
of them finished in the money, Harbor 4