view raw text
THEYRE ALL GLAD GATES IS GONE. Officials, Owners and Layers Have a Feeling of Relief at Plungers Departure. New York. July ".0. John W. dates sailed for Europe this morning siiul with him wont, according to those wlio keei close tab ou betting a flu lis hereabouts, no less than $;100,000 in winnings. The feeling at the track in regard to his departure is, to say the least, one of general relief. Gates spectacular methods and his wonderful success caused the same consternation in racing circles that they did in Wall street. At all times he was a dominant figure, and regardless of how rich the race to be run, its significance was, in most instances dwarfed by the absorbing interest of the public in trying to answer the question, "What 5s dates doing?" One tiling certain, dates never left any one in doubt. It was only necessary to watch the ring when a favorite suddenly tumbled from 8 to 5 until there was need to hurry to get 7 to 10, or a 5 to 1 chance as if by magic was off the slates of half the books, while 2 to 1 and S to 5 were being feverishly grabbed in the others, the solution was that it was Gates. Many a backer who likes to follow the money has laid up a snug sum for himself by simply going along with Gates. It seemed as if all he had to do was to bet on a horse and it won. Gates not alone had good information, but he had a marvelous run of luck. Three times when be had big wagers on Joe Nealon, running in what is believed to be Gates interest, the Durnell colors, that shifty twoyear-old just got up in time to win by a nose. On another occasion he stood to win S,O0O on Wardine, which was all but left at the post and was seemingly hopelessly out of the race, when suddenly there was a mix-tip next to the rail. One horse went down and two others had a bumping match, with the result that Wardine, on the extreme outside, managed to finish second, the winner was disqualified and Gales cashed. Rut, though a certain class of players have profited by following Gates judgment and Gales luck, track officials, horse owners and liookmakers are heartily glad that Gates has gone to France for a three-months sojourn. While no one cared Ho be quoted, every one talked freely. One man high in turf councils said: "Mr. Gates bet altogether too much money for the good of the sport. His spectacular plays were distracting to the highest degree. How could racing be kept on the plane of a high-class sport when such stupendous gambling was in progress? It was becoming so that no one cared to admire the horse. AH the public was Interested In was Gates selection, and a mad desire possessed every one to get their money wagered on it at the most remunerative odds. The Jockey Club has always done everything in its power to discourage speculation of Ibis sort, and while there will be no open vote of thanks that body is extremely grateful to Mr. Gates for leaving 1 lie country, if when he is here lie must bet as he did." from the horsemans standpoint, a man prominent both as an owner and breeder had this to say: "Having no horse right now capable of winning big stakes, I was unable to make my expenses for the year with Gates here to back my horses. WhyV Simply because if my horse had a chance Gales tremendous commissions forced me to take about 2 to 1 on a natural 5 or J to 1 chance. Of course, if Gates had been betting a part of his for me it would be different, but then he didnt. Ive heard of one case where lie won .$.S7,000 and gave the owner .,000. This owner had not won a race before In six months, hut had spent treble the sum banded hint in maintaining his stable up to this one victory. In my ease I had a horse that I had saved for two years and would not take less than .,000 for. I decided to run him in a selling race. "A friend of mine told Gates all about it, and told me he had done so, and that Gates would have a big bet on. Perhaps I had an idea this might help me, and perhaps I didnt. At any rate, I took .00 to the track lo bet myself, and thought my horse would be 0 or 7 to 1. I gave the money to another owner and told him to split it straight and third, but take no less than even third. He came back and said there was 5 to 1 straight, but no even third. I said bet it all straight. Then lie came buck and said lie could get no better than 112 to 5, as the ring had been swamped with a big commission. "Im not a rich man so I put the money back in my pocket. The horse won, and it cost me . more than the purse to protect it. My friend asked me if Gates should not have paid the run-up at least. I told him I thought so. Several days after Sates offered me a big cigar, casually remarking that he was sorry I had not won a good bet on my horse, and that he had only made a small bet. Now, mind, you, Im not saying one word to intimate Mr. Gates did not shoy the utmost generosity in giving me that cigar. If I took anything for granted it was my own fault. I5ut I am glad that while lie is away he cant beat me to a price on my own horse and differ me $:!,000 or .,CO0." "I dont care if he never comes back," said a layer whose specialty is taking ,000 bets without instantly using the rnblier. "Gates certainly had it on me. When one of his men dashed at me with an offer of ,000 on a 2-to-l chance, and I smilingly said 7 to 5 should be satisfactory, and the commissioner accepted the suggestion just as smilingly, Gates invariably cashed. Then, again, when on rare occasions I declined the money, with that old Its-running-for-me gag, something happened. Gates actually got beat, and I went down with him through dutching my book and loading up ou some .! to 1 shot that won when I thought it had no chance. Hes loo good for me. No wonder he sneaked the L. and N. Railroad from Kelmont. All I wonder is that Harrimau and Hill kept in business when Gates got going."
