The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-21
ARE QUEER men IN
THE RACING
GAME
Turf Develops Many Peculiar
Characters-Colonel Bill a
scully One.


All men are equal on the turf and
under it," is saying credited to Ad-
miral Rous, once England's greatest
Handicapped Of race horses, whose rep
utation as such yet lives in the minds
of men familiar with turf history.
That this is an apt phrase is proved
every day on the various race courses
of the world, for on the turf the owner
talks to the stableman and the million
aire may be seen rubbing elbows with
the bookmakers clerk. The regular
racegoer knows every other regular,
and, while many of these same regu-
lars come and go and never are missed
in their passing, still there are some
characters we'll known on the turf that
are such familiar landmarks that their
passing will make them missed when
they are no longer seen at the meet
ings where they may have been so we'll
known.
And these same characters are not
millionaire owners nor great plungers,
but just part of the general cosmo-
politan nsemble-Quaint characters
whose Municipalities make them stand
out from their fellows. Even brief
mention of all of these would fill a
book but such book would not be
complete unless it told of Col Bill
Scully.
Born in Old Kentucky.
The colonel was born in old Ken
lucky, the land of horses, whisky and
colonies. The title is an inherited one,
for Colonel Bill was not old enough to
take part in the war that brought so
many well-earned titles to men of the
south.
Born where the blue grass grows
and the thoroughbred thrives, it was
but natural that Scully should take 70
the turf. He did so at an early age,
which was 50 long ago that but few of
the present generation of racegoers
know just when he broke into the
game.
Colonel Bile never owned any really
great horses that have left mark on
the page of turf history, but if for no
other reason, this quaint character will
always be known because of the "Scui-
ly race" of which he was the origi-
nator.
1t happened at one time there were
number of poor horses on certain
race track. Scully, who had voice
in matters on that particular course,
originated novel race. All entries
were to be made with the understand
ing that the winner of the race should
be either killed or branded and turned
out, never to enter another equine con-
test Strange to say, the plan met
with favor, and one such event was
carded every day of the meeting. with
the result that quite few worthless
animals were taken out of the game,
and now when particular poor field
of horses is seen on the same card,
some one is sure to make the remark
that it ought to be called "Scully
race"
Old "Air Plant" Casey.
Down at New Orleans at this season
may be found "Air Plant" Casey, who
may be found on any of the northern
tracks during the racing season in
those parts. Casey, come hot, come
cold, he is always at some track. Full
of Irish wit, he has ever ready an
swer for any remark that may be made
to him.
Once not many seasons ago, Casey
turned up at the Saratoga race course.
He was not an owner of horses and
was not entitled to a complimentary
badge to the race course, according to
any known rules of the turf. The Sec
rotary of the Saratoga plant was deal
ing out badges with a tight hand, but
that never troubled Casey. He put on
the usual bold front and applied at the
secretary's Office just as he had al
ways done before, but in this case he
was turned down with the freezing re-
mark that there was no badge for him.
"And for why?" asked the aston
ished Casey.
"Well, you are not a horse owner,
and I'm sure you are not Jockey, so
why should give you badger" re-
piled the secretary.
"Well, but amt one of the pillars
of the toorf?" was the ready rejoinder,
and Casey got the badge.