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GOOD WORK OF A LIGHTWEIGHT. Jockey Albert Sumter, Who Rides for Jimmy McCormick, Weighs Sixty-five Pounds. New York, September 14. Jockey Albert Sumter is the. baby of the saddle. He weighs but sixty-five pounds and he is truly a midget, but a perfectly formed little human from toes to head, and the latter lias its full quota of brains horse sense shall we call it? Sumter is probably the smallest boy riding in actual races for hard cash and glory in the metropolitan circuit. He is a corner, too a lad whose riding is of a pronounced character, and has lately attracted the attention of race-goers as well as turfmen generally. Sumter may not develop into a" wonder, but he is just turning sixteen and with a few generous pounds added to his anatomy may within the next year or two shoot to the front as a rider of high ability. Such, at least. Is the prediction of many expert turfmen who have studied the midgets splendid control both of himself and his mounts in races, he having displayed judgment and tact in the guidance of his horses in short as well as long distance events. For one so small and young as Sumter, his management of even a heavy-headed and fractious thoroughbred at post time is indeed remarkable. Seated oh the back of a high-strung racer, Snmter is as cool as the proverbial cucumber. His mount may rear, plunge, buckjump, lunge or break; it is all the same with the midget. His admirable seat and the poise of. his hands never change. By a quick, but almost imperdeivable tightening or loosening of the reins, the drawing of this one or the other as the situation may demand, the digging in of a left or right heel, or the utterance of a soothing command, whispered almost into the ear of the blooded equine he is directing, Sumter ha3 his charge always in ready command. It is noted that no horse intrusted to the care of Sumter has run away with the lad, which is more than can be said of much heavier and more experienced professional riders, and his career has been singularly free from accident. "How do you a little mite manage to control a big unruly horse?" Sumter was asked. "Oh, 1 just speak to him and let him know I am on the job." was the hoys answer. Sumtor is under contract to "Jimmy" McCormick. one of the shrewdest of turfmen. McCormick would as . soon trust his great racer, Glorilier, in a race to Sumters guidance as lie would to the hands of Miller. That bespeaks "Jimmys" confidence in the midget. And yet Sumter is but an apprentice. The lad was born in Harlem One Hundred and Twelfth street where his parents reside. His father is a cigar salesman ami a man of average build and weight. Nor is the boys mother undersized. Two years ago Sumter was a stable lad. He applied himself to his job, and from the first showed an aptitude for a career in the saddle. He has ridden In many races for his employer and others and has piloted many a winner over the line with the judgment and fearlessness of a rider who has a future.
