The New York herald., 1922-12-20
FORMER star Will
RIDE HERE in Spring
Woman Sportsman Expected
to Sign Him for the En-
tire Season.
NEW YEARLING WONDER
Mrs. Whitney's Stable Uncov-
ers Speed Marvel-Barnes
Signs With Fitzsimnons.
ny HENRY v. KING.

ny HENRY ". KING.
Johnny McTagsart will return to
the metropolitan circuit next season.
The little veteran jockey will probably
ride the big string of fiat racers be-
longing to Mrs. Payne whitney. The
noted sportswoman and her trainer,
Scott Harlan, like the way Johnny
rode at the last Maryland meetings
and began negotiations for his SER
vices.
For several years Johnny McTas-
gart was one Of the leading Jockeys
in the country. In 1918 he received
a bad fall and shortly afterward be-
came the daddy of little girl. Then
his nerve began to fail him and he
became one of the most tiInid riders
In the country. Time and again he
lost races because he was afraid to
tako chance Of getting hurt.
Because OF his unquestioned honesty
>McTaggart received many mounts re-
gardless Of his slump and finally de-
<cided that vacation would restore his
courage He wenttto Atlantic City and
remained away from the tracks for two
months on his return his riding was
no better and horsemen gave him little
to do.
johnny Invades Canada.
i've got family to support"
Johnny said one day, "and I'm going to
Canada. where l can get a job. The
next day he was missing. In the Domin-
ion he had varied success. lie kept on
trying and won many races. but he was
always keen to como back to the big
circuit
Last winter McTaggart was in New
York for awhile and expressed the be-
lief that he would soon get a chance to
show the New York racing public that
he had lost none of his skill and that
he had as much courage as any jockey,
but he was doomed to disappointment.
No stable wanted him and last season
found him still in Canada. Few New
York racegoers paid much attention to
his record across the border In thof
opinions only poor riders are employed
there.
After the Northern tracks closed Nc
was matched against the best Jockeys
In the country. At Laurel and Piplico
he did fairly well on bad horses. AT
Bowie he received some good mounts
and didn't make a mistake. He always
landed the best horse home h front
and on several occasions he scored with
an inferior horse His riding attracted
Z attention and his services were in de-
lnand Horscmen who refused him
mounts went in quest OF hinl- He
was the star OF the meeting. SO
we'll did he ride that racegoers as
we'll az horsemen were often heard 10
remark that Johnny McTaggart has
his nerve back" Scott Harlan gave him
several mounts at Bowie and he guided
them fauitlessly. AS result he prob
ably will wear Mrs whi;ney's silks all
next season.
Has Been Riding Eight Years.
Johnny is "a years old aud has been
riding since he was 16. In those eight
wears his name was never mentioned In
connection with any kind OF scandal
lie was never in trouble with the Jockey
Club and his honesty was never ques-
toned by either racegoers, horscmcn or
sportsmen. He was O model lad His
habits were exemplary. and his asso-
ciates were either the stable lads or
business men OF good reputation.
II McTaggart retains the form he dis
played at Bowie he Is almost sure to be
among the topnotch jockeys OF 1928.
Mrs Whitney has a string of thorough
breds which won nearly 100000 last
season. and her stock promises to do
even better next year Besides the noted
horses which won for her last year she
has several high class yearlinxs. Among
them In a colt by Omar kbayyam out
of Mary Maud which Is the sensation OF
Belmont Park. This fellow has run
faster than any yearling ever broken
there. Competent ciockers timed him In
22 2-5 seconds for quarter OF a mile.
Those who saw 1t said he accomplished
the feat without much apparent effort.
lie is q costly youngster. Mrs. Whitney
paid $9.t00 for him at the A. B. Hancock
sale In Saratoga last summer.
Jim Fitzsimmons has engaged Edgar
Barnes TO ride the horses belonging TO
the Quincy Stable next season. Barnes
Is not known TO the Eastern turf, but
Fitzsimmons says he probably will be-.
vclop into great rider In 1929. Fftz
tried him at Maryland and found his
work very satisfactory 'IIe is an ex-
cellent post rider" said Fitz. but he
IL not finished. He has several things
70 learn. but believe lie will succeed.
lie Is q hard worker" Last season he
was employed by Il. II. Bradley. Al
New Orleans he rode four winners in
one day.
With Fitz Barnes will receive many
mounts on good horses There are
twenty-three horses In the Quincy barn
and Fitz says every one OF them will win
races II they remain sound Those In
the stable are Bluemont Caveot, Emp
FOR Relay Raw Law CAPTAIN Aicocls
Sunny Jim. Piayfellow. Yankee Star, All
over. Carol. Frank O. Pettifoger. all
winners: Fixer. The Senior. The Grego-
rian. Eager, three-year-old which never
started and seven high iriced yea rings
by omar< IShayyan,. Tho Finn. Filter
gold, Wrack and Anibassador. One OF
fie younesters by Omar Khayyam. out
of Network. Is half brother to Cro-
chet, Paddy Whack and Embroidery. He