The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-16

title, was with Mr.. Keene in his box that
afternoon. The Englishman didn't perhaps
now what a dislike Mr.. Keene has for be-
ing asked a direct question as to the chances
Of n OF his horses, and so while the horses
were on the way to the barrier for that
race he inquired Of Mr.. Keene in a loud
tone that everybody near them could hear:
Will your horse winr'
There were a lot OF ears in the neighbor-
hood of that box turned to get the reply.
Mr.. Keene studied for a minute and then he
turned to the Englishman with a reply thai
was also a question:
How can he loser
1T was about the nearest thing to an
out OF hand opinion as to one OF his
string that anybody had ever heard him
give, but those who overheard were vir-
tually barred from taking advantage Of
it, for Commanders price in that race was
something like l to 8, and therefore all but
prohibitive. Oddly enough Commando was
beaten in that race by The Parader.
when John w. Gates brought back 10
this country in Enoch Wishard's training
carr the string with which he had raced
30 successfully in England, he had a hui
morously confident style Of predicting in
WI NiOOOiy AOl IN OAhN ~ ally AIletlu
who'd ask him, but about six straight up
percuts in a row cured John w. OF all that,
and then he fell into the habit Of placing a
forefnger over his lips and pretending to be
dumb, no matter who asked him about one
OF the plausible looking things put of his
shed.
This reminds me that I heard the other
day what protested TO be a true account
Of how that bet a million thing happened
to be fastened to Mr.. Gates. The story
runs that he was standing on the lawn
Of the Washington Park track in Chicago
with the late Charlie Fair OF California,
who was killed IN an automobile accident
in France a few years ago. The horses
were on their way to the post for the run
ming Of the American Derby.
Fair had picked and played n Of the
horses In the big event for a sure thing,
while John W. was Just as certain that
another one Of them would cop. As the
horses lined up they began to argue about
the chances Of their respective picks.
Charlie Mr.. Gates Is said to nave
chopped out when the argument became
warm. I'll bet you 81 900 900 that my pick
beats yours
Fair laughed the thing OF, and pres
emily the race was over. Neither Fairs
nor John WIS pick 30 much as broke into
the money, but we're both beaten OF,
Fairs pick actually finished in front Of
Gates's.
.Mr. Gstes's' great friend and chum,
John H. Drake, wasn't averse at the outset
Of his career as a thoroughbred owner 10
put his intimates on to what he thought
looked good in his shed. but he, too, got
! bravely over that a long time ago.
John Madden has got to know that he Is
lust right and then have a Hedge anchor
out before he'll breathe a word about the
chance Of one Of his horses, especially In a
big race. He has been especially chary Of
saving a word about his string since his two
year-old Aristocracy won the big race at
Saratoga a few years ago with plenty OF
30 to 1 in the chalk.
Mr.. Madden's friends exhibited all man
ner OF g~rouchiness over the outcome Of that
race and all but accused him Of holding the
| good thing out on them, when as q straight
out matter Of fact Mr.. Madden had no idea