The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-05
CROOKED RACING
is KILLING SPORT
Continued form page Eightecn.)


stood near the judges stand many times
and has watched the weighing Of Jockey
Singleton, and be said that calesman
down with his hand, and that Singleton
always weighed when no other jockey
was in the room.
1t may have been that Manager Finn
knew nothing OF what was going on, but
being a thorough horseman and proml-
nent boohmaker the people naturally sup
posed that he ought 10 he capable of
catching and stopping the ordinary track
trickcry.
The people will never get good. clean
horse racing until rules arc made barring
the owners and promoters. OF race tracks
from racing their horses at meetings
given by them, and To prohibit book
makers from owning horses. Racing is
an expensive amusement, and somebody
pays for IT, The gate receipts VIII not
pay for the sport upon the present cX-
pensive scale. and the money must be
made ont of the betting ring. Take away
the hecting ring from a track and the
$4,000 stakes also disappear. The temp
tatlon on race track TO make money is
greater than that of any. other gambling
known 10 the world. Commencing with
the trainer, who knows the true condi-
ton Of his owners horse. he may tell
the owner that the horse Is at his best
when in reality the horse may be dead"
and of no account. The Jockey who rides
tho horse. II he be not honest, may ac-
copt a piece Of money TO pull the horse,
either from bookmaker or from another
owner or from a rich gambler from tue
outside. who can see his way clear by
making a big stake by fixing the race.
Then with a starter who may not be
honest, a certain horse can be left at
the post. There arc hundred and one
ways 10 ti% a race unknown 10 the pub
lie, and many people are directly con-
ncctcd with each race that II Is hard
proposition 10 get next TO crooked
deal
Double Cross Owners.
There arc rich mon who own horses
and WHO race them who would not fix
race or have their horse lose Tor mil
hon dollars but this mans trainer his
jockey, and even the starter, can double
cross them. and that these Things nave
been done on various tracks throughout
the country arc matters OF history. 1t
was only short time ago reported that
Richard F. Croker had discovered that
several Jockeys had played him for a
SUCKER" and he Immediately withdrew
his horses from the track. There is no
denying the fact that jockeys who rode
for Croker got the biggest part OF the
purse and were we'll paid for their ser
vices. but there was the temptation 10
make still more money. and there are
many who will take that one chance. not
only cheating their employers, but the
MANY OF the horsemen said that the
fall meeting at ogden was a huge Joke.
and that the bookmaEers robbed the pco-
pie right and lett. inc reports may nave
been put in circulation by sorcheads, but
nevertheless a great many races at Og-
den looked very suspicious, and from
what can be learned. Ogden viii refuse
to allow another meeting in its vicinity.
The Associated Press absolutely refused
10 handle the results Of the Buena Vista.
Ogden and Reno horse races. Results OF
the races were sent 10 the outside papers
hy special wire. Races on every other
track in the country were handled by the
Associated Press This does not speak
well for the sport as it was conducted
here.
A short time ago prominent business
man Of this city received q letter from
a horse owner and trainer from tho La
tonia track. The real names Of the per-
sons concerned In this letter will not he
used as per request, but the letter shows
| lust how corrupt racing can become: