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I GOSSIP OF THE TURF. j "Tha most surprising turf feature of the closing days of the year is the remarkable advance of jockey Gannon, who less than two months ago was unhonored, unsang and, it might bo said, unknown," says the New York Evening Sun of Decam-ber 16. "It was at the fall meeting at Aqusduct that Gannon first was projected into the limelight of public attention and then only faintly. There, however, his work began to command respect, and with this respect came a greater demand for his services, until now he shines out as a star of the first magni-ude. At Now Orleans recently he captured fifty er cant, of tho racos on the card, riding three winners right off the reel and ontshinning all his follows. His first victory was on the 6 to 1 shot The Caxton in the third race, at six and a half furlongs. In the fourth race, at seven furlongs, he piloted the even money choice, John Peters, to victory. He completed his trinity of triumphs by winning tho fifth race, at six and a half f urlongs, on Harry Wilson, which was at odds of 3 to 1 in the batting. It was at the Bennings meeting recently that Gannon signed a contract, and it is more than probable that he signed too soon. According to New Orleans horsemen, this boy would bo a valuable acquisition to any stable, and if he were free, could command a retainer of handsome proportions. When he signed his contract, however, he still was practically unknown, and jumped at a salary that any ona of half a dozgn owners would bo glad to double now. Gannon first rode for W. L. Olivar, to whom he was apprenticed, and won his first victory in an apprentice race at Morris Park last season. Hs lqoked like a promising boy at that time, but subsequently went off, only to burst into view again this fall. If he holds his present form ho will go east in the spring a jockey of the first class. Word comes from Lexington, Ky. that Hernando, winner of the Latonia Derby and which ran bo iorwardly at Morris Park a yoar ago with Gold Heels and Water Color in the long distance events, will be trained again next spring, as he seems per-fectly sound. Hernando went wrong in his training last spring soon after being shipped east to fulfil his Suburban Handicap engagement. Soon After his arrival at Sheepshead Bay ho struck his leg, and, for fear tho hurt might prove serious, his owner ordered tho noted son of Hanover thrown out of training. Leo Jackson, tho jockey, who was suandpanded indefinitely a couplo of weeks ago, was a newsboy Qijjjjpg Jib became a rider. Frisco is now unionized Lomond to end, and of course the newsboys there have a formidable union. They have espoused the cause of Jackson and several days ago a deputation of walking delegates called on President Williams and demanded tho jockeys reinstatement. President Williams, after listening to the talk, told them to run along and sell their papers, adding that it would probably bo a good idea for Jackson to go back into the business of selling papers. The good race horse, Fred Ackerman, is lost, according to the statement of John Skain of Lexington, Ky., administrator of tho late James Murphy. Fred Ackerman won at Morris Park in June and it was thought ha had baen shipped to Gravesand. Murphys papers showed no disposition of the horse and his whereabouts is a mystery. Skain found five head belonging to tho noted trainer at Bunnymede in charge of Col. E. F. Clay. While working Little Scout and Aylmor Bruce in tho infield at New Orleans last Tuesday, the former kicked Aylmar Bruca, breaking one of her jaws.
