The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-27


most inviting field for manipula-
ton, and the unusually heavy bet.
ting this year on horses ito start
has been accompanied by reports
that private deals were being made
to insure the presence of certain
horses as starters, regardless of
their fitness or quality on the day
Of the race.
The obvious possibility of hav.
ing the Derby field eluttered up
with unqualified starters has be-
come q matter Of real concern to
officials In Kentucky, and q well
defined ruTnOr from that State
has it that complete inveStiEa.
ton is under consideration.
The case which has brought the
matter to an issue is that of a colt
quoted at 800 to ito win" in the
pwinter books, on which odds of 20
to ito start were offered a
month ago.
This colt showed almost no class
whatever as a two-year-old, and
training this year. He has been
ignored in all analyses OF the
candidates. and almost as com.
pletely ignored in the winter oct
ting.
Recently, however, it became
known that several big wagers had
been quietly made, simultaneously
In different cities, on the colt ito
start" He is still ignored in the
betting ITO VIM but the earlier
bets that he would be a starter are
said to have been followed with
others and bigger ones. He is now
s to Ito start
Evidence is said to be available
that a private deal for the owner.
ship of the colt has been closed, and
that this ownership can be connected
with those who have wagered that
the colt would start.
If this is true. the books are in
for nice trimming, provided the
horse can be kept alive and able to
walk on the track at Churchill
Downs on May 10.
A quick thinker put over a
clever deal on the Kentucky Derby
In New York the other day with
two Wagers ON a candidate that
Is considered to have an excellent
chance 10 win the big race.
Talking with a group of book
makers he remarked that he fancied
the colt slightly, whereupon one of
the bookies quoted him a price Of
Is to l.
Five hundred he said promptly,
and the wager was closed
The sharp one, according to the
story, then got busy and made a
fair and honorable deal with the
owner OF the colt, agreeing to pay
his stake fees and all expenses
involved in sending the colt to
Louisville, under an agreement
that he would start in the Derby
II his legs were sound and his
temperature under 104.
He thus had a guarantee that,
barring accidents, a first-clasS
horse would give him a run for
his money on a bet which, IL
the colt wins, will yield $l1 800
net profit on a bet Of $500,
since lie figures the expenses
under 81 900. Then he went
back to the bOOlkies.
BE ready TO deal out the long
greenbacks," nc said to his original
Iayer.
why, it's to that colt won't
even go to the Derby" said the
bookie, who had heard an earlier
report that the owner was super
stitious about sending the colt
West.
Five hundred said the sharp
one. and another deal was closed.
Unless the colt dies or suffers
serious Injury or ailment this
quick thinker now has a sure
thing.
His two $500 wagers and the
expenses of the colt represent q
maximum outlay of $4,000; his bet
ito start will bring that back
and $1,000 more when the colt
walks to the post. and he has an
entry running for $4,000.
OF course, lot of things can
happen to horse in a month.