The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-05-17
MURRAYS GREAT WORK
AT RACE TRACK BARRIER
(BY w. T. Little.)

/
The past weeks racing at the Fair
| grounds track has been replete with
sensational features. On Moniay the
four and one-half furlong record for
n half mile track was lowered one
fifth of second by Harry Stoyer's
mare, Sevenfull. Then followed the
visit Of Governor Spry of Utah. as
we'll as Mayor Bransford of Salt Lake
| City. All OF these incidents, together
with the record breaking attendance
! and the fast five furlongs run on Sat
urlay made the week one which will
! live long in the history of Ogden rae
ing
Perhaps, however, the greatest feat
ure, not only of the week. but of the
ten days RACING. has been the Won
derful work OF ManagerStarter VIII.
lam Murray at the barrier. Such
starts as Mr.. Murray has made since
the first day of the meeting have been
simply marvellous, and horsemen are
singing his praises daily. AS usual
thing owners, whenever one of their
well-meant nags go down TO defeat.
have habit OF blaming 1t on the start
er Not complaint of this kind has
been heard regarding MI Murray's
work. for not a horse has been left
have been run off and not even a
struggling start has been given by the
official form chart maker. In nearly
every start the fields have been sent
away with hardly half lengths diff
ference between the first and last
horse. Only in one instance was one
horse sent away behind his field and
that was Garter Light, which baked
just as the barrier was sprung, and
therefore. had no chance.
What makes MI Murray'S splendid
work SO phenomenal is because 1t is
being done on a half mile track. where
nearly every start is at a turn, and
where the track Is just as wide as q
mile track. MI Murray has several
times had twelve horses. but whether
II was this number or half as many
they were sent away cavalry front in
every instance. Mr.. Murray received
his tutelage In the starting business
under Christoper Fitzgerald, a gentle
man and n scholar and who in his
day has few equals as flag wielder.
The secret Of Mr. Murray's success
his opportunity. Horsemen who are
familiar vita the work of all starters
on big and little tracks do not hesitate
to say that Mr. Murray is the great
cat starter IN the business today
Ogden Day. tomorrow. promises to
be red-letter event In all circles In
this thriving city. The agreement
reached by all the merchants. as well
as the restaurants, saloons and other
places of business to close up for
three hours-2 to 5 p. MN order
to give their employees a chance to
witness real high-class racing is unique
In the history OF any city. While
stores elsewhere have closed TO give
employees holiday. it has been on the
occasion of some big public celebra-
tton or some worthy charity. The ac-
ton of the Ogden merchants IN the
premises Is evidence that they are
appreciative of the beneficial effects
the racing has brought TO all lines
of business, and they feel that every
encouragement should be given the
management which is responsible for
1t all. IL Is hardly necessary to add
that records in the attendance line
for this state will be broken. Every
private box has been spoken and such
a galaxy OF beauty adorned as will
be seen In the main grandstand on
Tuesday will pass into memory as
scene never to be forgotten. The fea.
ture of the day will be the half-mIle
dash, for purse of $500. In which
all the cracks will probably sport silk.
Even If only four go, and at least that
many will line up. it Will be a horse
race worth seeing. and II the track
retains the lightning speed it had all
during the past week. Sevenfull or
some of the others might hang up a
new worlds record
Secretary McQuaide. who has es-
tabllshed quite reputation in his
official capacity since the meeting be-
gan has prepared a card for this after