The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-05-25
A WEIRD racing TALE
How a Horse That Couldn't Run
Came In a Winner.
PULLED Off AT GUTENBERG.

ne story OF the way lnat JocNel
Hugh Penny Repaid an Impocunioas
Owner Who Had In Days Gone By
Helped Him on in His Career.
st Louis. long a center ivr merry
round tracks, having Mt various times
fostered the East side, Madison, sports
mans park aud South Side tracks. has
had many weird racing tale unloaded
upon it. stories Of horses at the night
track being run in on the last lap un
der cover Of scmidarkness and the like
have been common.
Here's one, however, that comes
from the days OF the old Gutenberg
course, which seems able TO hold its
head up in almost any disreputable
turf company:
When prosperity commenced shining
on the Gut little rat faced jockey be
gan to attract the attention OF men
who wanted to get Sheir horses home
In front. lie was quick at Che post.
had fair Judgment, did not know what
fear was and was willing to take all
sorts Of advantages. whether fair or
not. This was Hugh Penny
Penny had another virtue that Is rare
in Jockeys IN these days. He was
grateful. WhcE he was making repu-
tation a certain owner went out OF his
way to give him a mount
This was the making OF the Jockey.
The experience he got on this mans
horses taught him a whole lot, and
finally his. services were in such de-
mand he was able to picl. his own
mounts. Money was flowing into his
| pockets He wore diamonds, drove fast
trotters and was one OF the few visit
ors to the hill able TO afford fur over
coats.
In the meantime the man who had
given him his start had fallen into a
ruck and could not win a race. He
owed every one who would trust him.
the feed box was empty, and his sta
BILE consisted of one plug that could
run bit in the mud, but on n fast
track couldn't beat year-old
maiden.
This was the state of affairs when
one night after the races he approach
ed Penny and asked him to ride his
horse in q. six furlong race the next
day. whats the use, Bnl?" asked
the diminutive jockey. "Iie can't run
fast enough to keep himself wasm."
you're right. Jock, but I've Just got
| to take chance. I'm down ard out.
and it Is possible the old horse will be
lucky enough to squeeze into third
money"
The next day came. There was IA tog
surrounding the course that you could
cut with a knife. In fact. it was so
bad bugler went TO the post with the
horses and with loud blast announc-
ed when the flag fell There was not
foot Of the track that could be seen
from the grand stand, and the Judges
had to leave the stand and go out on
the track to tell which horse had won.
As Penny was mounting his horse in
the paddock he was greatly excited.
"How much have you betf' he ask.
ed the owner
Mot a cent, SON." was the reply. VI
haven't got n cent to bet with, and, be
sides, the old horse can't win"
Eyes, he can" said Penny. Hell
win by a block. Here's a hundred
Hurry up and get It down.
The hundred was bet and the horses
went to the post In few moments
there was a loud blast OF a bugle, anC
the race was ON. 1t was half mil'
track, you understand, and the star
was about where the mile and a quar-
ter would be on full mile track.
In a few seconds the splash Of
horses feet could be heard from thu
grand stand and few shadowy forms
seen passing along the stretch. Thei
everything was silent until again came
the faint patter of horses feet. Thes'
grew louder and louder until finall,
tney were right in front of the stand
Then II was seen that one horse wa
ten 70 fifteen lengths in front of tn
Geld. In few moments It was an
nounced that Pennys mount was tn
one that was so far in front, aud th
race was 4 en- 10 hip.
Penny a. aounted and made his wa.
back TO the paddock. lie did not hay
a speck OF mud on his clothes.
"The old horse was "A runner today
wasn't he. JockT
Runner nothing" answered Penny
"why. he couldn't run fast enough {
beat me-"
"IIow IN blazes did he manage Z
beat that field. them was the query
"Hc didn't" replied Penny. II stoo
still when the flag fell and when
heard the field coming after maxim
the circuit Of the track drew IN
whip on the old dog, and even then
was all he could do 10 get home !
trout"
Aud that was one way af winnin
races at the hilltop traek.-St. Loul
Clobe-DemOcrat