The New York herald., 1922-12-29
BY HENRY ". KING.

BY HENRY ". KING.
A race with a wife and a small for
tune at stake is almost sure to give
any man a big thrill. Such an event
gave George Odom a set of thrills, and
he says that every time he thinks of
the race he receives thrill. George
was one of the leading jockeys OF
America at the time and was en-
ployed by Diamond Jim Brady. He
had saved up nearly $4,000 and was
engaged to be married when along
came the annual Champion Stakes of
1902. The stake was worth more than
$1,000 and Diamond Jim informed
George that he would give him $4,000
il he landed his Major Daingerfield
home in front.
For several days before the race
George galloped the Major. He knew
the colt well; he knew all of his pecu-
liari'ies knew he had great burst OF
speed knew he could run all day, and
knew he had as much stamina and cour-
age as any thoroughbred in training at
the time The stake was at two miles
ana n HALL over tue oHccpSHctu Duy
course. After working Major Dainger-
field and watching the other contestants
go through their morning trials 'Dia-
moud jim" was convinced his horse
would win easily.
There was open betting in those days
and Mr.. Brady decided to make plunge
on his horse and told Odom so. The
jockey also believed the Major would
win, but he Informed O(is employer that
he wasn't going to bet.
II can't afford to lose," he told Mr..
Brady. you know I'm going to be
married in few days and need every
dollar / have" For several days
Mr.. Brady tried to persuade him
to make wager on the horse,
but George was obduvate. On the
eve of the stake the jockey got in touch
with his sister and made her promise
she would bring his finance to the track
the next day TO see the stake decided.
Tell her I'm going to ride the winner
and to get there early"
Chance to Double Savings.
On the morning of the race George
breeze1 the Major and the colt nearly
ran off with him. He displayed more
speed than usual and it began to dawn
sorts of thoughts ran through the
Jockeys head. Here was a chance for
him to more than double his savings.
He agreed with Mr.. Brady that here was
the right spot to make plunge and be-
come wealthy. Twenty-Five or thirty
thousand dollars would be much better
than ten thousand 1t would buy bet
ter house. 1t would make him wealthy
and he and his. bride happy.
But as he stArted on his way to find
his employer and tell him to bet. on the
colt for him the thought occurred that
perhaps the Major might be beaten.
After meditating over the affair for more
than an hour he decided to do little
detective work and learn sone secrets
about the horses which would oppose
the Major. He was popular around the
track and had little difficulty getting the
time made by all the contenders. None
of the figures was nearly as good as
those of the Major.
Alex Shields had horse in the race
named Zoroaster. George couldn't get
much information about him. but he
wasn't worried. He wasn't considered
nearly as good as the Major and
George paid little attention to him. He
knew all about the others and that the
Major was much their superior.
So back to his barn he went II
was noon now and Mr.. Brady was there
awaiting him. After long discussion
of the relative merits of the different
contestants the owner and trainer were
sure their colt couldn't lose and George
decided to bet his bank roll.''
A dozen times after Mr.. Brady left
George wished he had his money back.
Nervous as when he accepted his first
mount he was thrown into Major Dain-
gerfield's saddle for the race. As he
passed out of the paddock gate Willie
Shaw, on Zoroaster. yelled, I'm going
to beat you to-day. I've got a whirl-
wind under me- Don't make any mis-
takes or 1t won't be a contest" This
added to Odom's nervousness. and he
had hard job getting the Major to the
post.
The Race Is Started.
Because then race was over a long dis
tahce of ground there was little or no
jockeying or delay at the post. As the
field was sent away Major Daingerfeld
went about his work smoothly and
George settled down and rode well.
"a quarter of mile from home my
horse was In 'front.'" said George yes
terday at Belmont Park. land ! was
confident of success. But before the
final furlong pole was reached zoroaster
was beside me and Willie Shaw's face
was wreathed In smiles. So suddenly
did he loom up beside me that I was
stunned. looked his mount over and
Zoroaster seemed to be running easier
than the Majcr. I thought was licked,
""rhen the thought of my sweetheart
and the big bet ] had made flashed
through my mind and ] determined ia
win that race. With less competent
jockey opposing me this might have been
easy. but Shaw was a master. and II
L l.uA La. unaraAal L.