Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-12-24

the weight specified In HE contract
Where valuable stakes and large wages
are concerned. every ounce OF weSght
tells al the finish. and nothing makes an
owner more savage than to learn that
his horse has lost a prize by few inches
with an overweight Jockey I'm the saddle
pound in a hard fought race figures
half length not a very great amount
Of space but sufficient for the purpose
OF winning.
Employers Confidence Abused.
Some years ago az Gravesend there was
fragrant case OF a Jockey abusing the.
confidence OF his employer and Incl
dentally causing the public 20 lose lot
OF money in wagers u was stake race
for 2-year-olds. and one Of the con-
testants was owned by New YORK
brewer. The episode 20 disguised the
yOung owner that he shortly afterward
sold his running horses and retired. The
Jockey In this particular instance was a
negro lad who found himself in possession
Of more money than he had ever dreamed
OF having. and. being surrounded by
horde OF dissipated satellites. he was
hard TO control and was only IN good
shape TO ride out his engagements at
times. In the race in question the colt
he rode was a secor1 choice and was only
beaten by q short neck When the Jockey
attempted TO make weight he was not
only overweight, but was found to be
carrying ten pounds more than the carded
impost How he managed 70 weigh IN
without escaping detection will always
be mystery. The stewards to whom
the incident was reported fined the Rider
500 and suspended him for long period
The rider. a long time afterward. con-
fcssed 10 the trainer that he had been on
a carouse for the day and night previous
to the race and had put on the extra
weight In that time.
Fitzpatrick. the daredevil" OF the
American turf who died several years
ago. was tortured more than any other
Jockey In this country 10 keep 20 weight.
He stated on one occasion that a bis
cult and n glass OF champagne was for
periods his only daily sustenance. Ex-
cesslve reducing and living on such slim
diet shortened FItzpatricks life. for
when years after he ceased riding he
was taken with pneumonia. his constitu-
ton was Slapped and he died az Saratoga,
where he had made his home for many
years
Wottons career has been brilliant. but
II win perhaps be almost the shortest on
the English turf unless all signs fall Il
was only few years ago that he was
riding at ninety pounds and less and at
the rate he ia Increasing in weight 1873 20
iSj pounds viii perhaps be his limit for
1913. His engagements will be correspond
ingiy fewer and undoubtedly within the
next few years he will be found follow
Ing his fathers profession of trainer and
owner. Wotton has saved his money,
but IL not IN Makers class as a money
maker the young American being
credited with being worth 100000 The
popularity OF the Connecticut boy is
evidenced by the fact that he has been on
a yachting trip with his employer. Lord
ROsebery.
While the financial returns which come
TO successful Jockey are undoubtedly
large. the dangers OF the contest are ever
present and there Is not much bodily
comfort for the man who Is fond Of
creature comforts. II Is "A life OF self
denial and privation for those who would
Suni lsomdol eul o. ISppuI otl qmuo