The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-12-26
HORSE RACING IS
A COSTLY SPORT
MORE THAN 100000 DlsTRIB-
uTEo BY TURF ASSOCIATIONS
DURING THE PAST SEASON.
KEENE is GREATEST WINNER
Colin, undefeated, the Greatest Two
Year-old Seen in Many Years
Ballot and Peter Pan Made Good
Trainer Rowe and Jockey Miller
In millionaire" Class.


With the drop OF the curtain at
Aqueduct the other day racing came
to close in New York state for the
year. That 1t has been successful
season has been proven by the vast
throngs that have attended the differ
ent courses daily. Last year the rae
ing association divided the sum Of
s;,000,000, and it would not be taking
too liberal view OF the past season
to say that this amount will be sur
passed.
Three figures stand out prominently
as leading features Of the year-James
r. Keene, Walter Miller and James
Rowe. This trio are known through.
out the racing world as the owner,
jockey and trainer of the best lot of
thoroughbreds seen on this side of the
Atlantic in many years. James r.
Keene has achieved the enviable rec
ord of winning over 100000 in purses
within year. This feat is more than
remarkable when it is known that the
figures of $4,000, won by the duke
of Portland in 1889, have never been
eclipsed until this year.
In addition to standing at the top
of the list of winnings, Mr.. Keene is
favored by owning Colin. the greatest
two-year-old seen in many years.
When Sysonby was in his prime rae
ing experts said that he was the best
that could be produced, but after
Colin appeared on the scene and dem
onstrated his ability they are forced
to acknowledge that he is the SUI
perior of the late equine wonder.
Colin has started IL times and won
every race. His winnings amounted
to $133,277..
Ballot and Peter Pan are two more
Keene thoroughbreds that are entitled
to honorable mention. Peter Pan was
heralded as the three-year-old cham
pion of the season In the early stages
of the game, but he fell i'll right be-
fore the Saratoga meeting and was re-
tired to the Castleton stud. Ballot
was a worthy successor to his stable
companion. He has been defeated sew
eral times, but taking line through
his many races he stands at the top.
Salyidere beat Ballot in the Annual
Champion and the Brighton cup, two
races at two miles and a quarter, but
proved the better.
James Rowe is in class by himself
as a trainer. This is not in disparage-
ment of the many other good trainers,
but the unprecedented success of the
Keene horses entities him to the high
est place. He will earn the highest
salary of any member of his calling.
The percentage Of the winnings Of
Kesne, with his salary of $4,000 per
annum, will bring him over the $4,000
mark.
Walter Miller once more heads the
list of the riding brigade. He has had
ISL mounts and has piloted 225 to VIC
tory and finished in the money 279
times. His nearest rival is Eddie
Dugan, who has ridden 682 horses,
20S times. Miller's earning capacity
is up to the $4,000 mark, and his
superiority as rider has never been
questioned.
The fact that Miller is perhaps fast
putting on weight is a blow to the
game. The lack Of good riders, due
to the ridiculous scale of weights, is
a big setback to the sport. At the
present time Miller tips the scales at
105 pounds. Before the opening of
next season 1t is hardly probable that
he will be able to weigh in under 107
pounds. The probable result will be
that Miller, like Shaw, O'Connor and
many other good riders will have to
travel to Europe, as at his increased
weight he will not be in much de.
mand
This will leave clear field for Du-
gan. While not as finished jockey
as Miller in a sprint, many concede
that he is the peer of his rival over a
distance of ground. Guy Burns, the
latest development of "Bilr DAILY, is
rapidly approaching the leaders, and
II he receives enough mounts that
have possible chances he may be the