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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. John A. Drake did not pass from the eastern racing stage with the passing of the eastern racing season of 1902. This breezy westerner intends to return to the scene of hiB triumphs and already is laying his plans by making nominations for the rich stakes to be decided in this section of the country. While here, Mr. Drake was made tho unwilling victim of a heap of notoriety which he scarcely doserved, but he evidently believes that he can live it down and make a solid, worthy turfman. For a man of his wealth and his inclinations he was everything but the heavy bettor which he was pictured as being. Whatever the amount of his wagers might mean to some men equally deserving, but possessed of much less of this worlds goods they did not mean a great deal to him. Ho never was known to bo unduly elated because of the winning of a wager or unduly depressed when he lost. He was a conservative bettor in the best sense of the word. Judging his wagers in proportion to his means he not only bet trifles but he studied the chances of winning and losing with extreme care before placing these trifles. His trainer, Enoch Wishard, is a man famed in England as well as hero for his skill, and Wisharda advice always was sought before any wagers worthy of the name was placed. The story of Drakes winnings carried with them their own refutation, and for the very good reason that it simply would have been impossible for him to win the money which he is alleged to have won. Otherwise, either he or the betting ring would have had to go out of business, N. Y. Evening Sun.
