The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-03
IN PRAISE OF
 MARS CASSIDY
BY BERT F. COLLYER

Chicago. October 2-The bon ami of the turf world have gathered in old Ken lucky and are at present being enter tained with a caliber of sport not seen since the days of those memorable heat races. tradition of the sport of Kings in the Blue Grass state. Not only is there a plethora of class, but there is quantity. some POO thoroughbreds being quartered at or near Churchill Downs Louisville. This historic course, the scene Of the ten Broek-Mollie McCarty battles, is presumable destined to be Horse Haven. Under the management of Col. Matt Winn, the plant has. in fact, taken on an entirely new lease of life The partimutuels, at first frowned upon popularized, while the racing associations using them are chuckling with glee. The reason of the merriment is quite readily apparent when one stops and compares what the per cent on all takings to- tailed opening day, as against the num- Der of bookmakers who formerly drew in at s1O0 per stand.
 IIODdDly IL lS Just dS NSll u uIOp llll6 angle of the game. From Churchill Downs, the gee gees go to Latonia where the sport comes to a close November 19. At the latter plant a most pretentious series of stakes have been arranged and which, according to the financial secre- tary, John Hackmesiter, have received liberal response from the horsemen. Stakes for fall racing at the Milldale course is a new departure.
 Probably no one appointed in Kentucky has been so thoroughly popular with horsemen and public alike as that of Starter Mars Cassidy and his assistant, Johnny Hogan. Hence 1t will be seen that the one department hitherto the bugbear of the sport in the middle west Is now remedied and a feature
 Speaking of Cassidy brings to mind the unique character of the man. On the whole or in part entirely different from any one of the others who officate at the several tracks throughout the country. Let Hogan, his assistant tell the story.
 MT. Cassidy has no equal as a starter or a gentleman" said Hogan. Unlike other starters with whom I have worked he does not attempt to bully his sub ordinates, jockeys or horsemen. On the contrary he impresses one and all that he Cassidy is in control of the situa- ton and if you do not obey his com mands, which he seldom repeats, you will be deprived the privilege of working. In this respect again he is different from other starters in that he never fines a jockey The first offense, such as break | ing through the barrier or attempting to prejudge the start, brings a warning, the second time brings from the starter a penalty of from three to five days on the ground, and further contraventions the balance of the meeting or indefinite suspension.
 Tn directing assistant of jockeys, MT. l Cassidy seldom speaks above his ordinary tone and he never swears, somthing you cannot say of other starters. He never makes fish of one and flesh of another. It makes no difference whether you are riding for MT. Belmont, MT. Hildreth or Mir Keene, or whether you do the riding of the man with one horse, one and all get the same treatment, and once you oc- casion a suspension from him you can go and gamble that you will serve out the sentence. As starter he has no equal, as I think his work thoroughly demonstrates that"
 | Mir Cassidy is the father of the walk LID of moving method of sending hores away from the starting point, the only sane way according to experts, yet 1 espoused.