Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30

and recovered my composure a little when
saw the name Of Alcantara and my own as
owner. Details Of Alcantara's age, sex and color
were given, as wen as my racing colors and 7.
Starkweather was announced as the rider. The
field was all that could be desired. It included
the best the region could produce, and rec
ognized some horses who had substantial repu-
tations.
TOBIAS sought me out and again assured
me that the horse was right. He suggest
ed that small wager on him might be profit
able am not q betting man, but the last
weeks had affected me strangely. I had begun
to feel q large cat1olicity of spirit toward all
the details Of horse ownership and horse rae
ing, and allowed Tobias to conduct me to a
hamboyant young man who placed modest
sum for me at the surprising odds of 80 to 1.
Again I sought Tobias to learn the reason for
the odds being so agains Alcantara. The Incl
dent had shaken my faith in him and began
to think my visions of possible victory empty
dreams. Tobias felt that the odds were prob
ably the result of the unfortunate items in the
press, but he pointed out that they meant larger
profits if we won which seemed to me sordid
Apoint of view.
had secured box and had invited a few
of my intimate friends to occupy it with me.
had chosen those who had been in the secret
of my ownership from the first and who seemed
to regard my entering the racing game with less
associates.
The first races ON the fiat, and minor
steeplechase or two seemed to me perfunctory
and spiritless, though the crowd seemed to en-
Joy them. Late in the afternoon the Bedford
was announced, and there was an evident stir
ring of interest among the lookers-on. The
board at the judges stand gave the field, and
I noted with some concern that none of the
favorites had been scratched. Proudly I saw
the name of T. Starkweather appear with the
number 9. As I sat tearing my program to
shreds with nervous fingers, I tried to think
what suggestions Of good fortune the number
indicated. could think of nothing but the
MUSES., and their connection with horse racing
seemed remote.
Then came the parade from the paddock.
Led by scarlet-coated official, the IL contest
ants passed the gTandstand. Had been in a
normal condition, should have been thrilled
by it, Eleven creatures, sleek, sinewy, nervous,
with tossing, impatient heads, foam-hecked
forequarters and dainty tread, they seemed
hardly to touch the soft earth beneath their
feet. On the back of each a crouching little
figure, brilliant in gaudy satin.
They weighed in. watched Alcantara. For
sheer beauty he was the peer of the best. He
seemed strangely docile, and tried desperately
to read the secret of those battling eyes, I
finally got them in my glass for fleeing Sec
ond and saw the same strange, tired look, the
same eternal interrogation that always ap-
i
his face. Sallow, thin from weeks of training,
there was not a shadow of expression of any
sort. His face was as baf11ing as Alcantaras
eyes.
They were of to the post just within my line
of vision. For a while confusion reigned. Turn
ing, milling rearing, it seemed impossible that
an orderly start could ever be made. This was
the crucial moment Would Alcantara start?
This was the uncertainty. If he did, there was
fair chance that he would finish well up; If
not, It was all over. watched him closely.
Tobias had his hands full and was maneuvering
Skillfully. I had noticed that he carried no
whip and his heels were innocent of spurs. Now
he seemed to need them. Instead, he leaned
still farther over and careSSed the nervous neck
before him.
THEY were off, Thanks to some strange good
fortune, Alcantara had consented to start
with Them They Numbered by in blur Of
color, closely punched, with Alcantara holding