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MTAGGART IN LIMELIGHT MANY OWNERS DESIRE HIS SERVICES AND OEEER TEMPTING RETAINING EEES. Plainly Shows Growing Popularity of Racing: and Value of Master Rider — Praise for Tijuana Sport — Notes of New York Tracks. New York. March 1. — It p.-i.vs to bo a jockey — that is. a good jockey whose reputation is above suspicion. Ilixnl proof of this is the fact that Tommy MeTaggurt has been offered 2.600 as a retail ing fee by Frank Nolan. The matter is in abeyance, for Mciaggnrt lias been approached by other owners of good iiorses. including John S.-iiifoi-ii and Cifford A. Cochran. The latter asked McTaggart to put the price on his serviies for the coining season at 5,00* and there is little QBjestfcM that he will get it. He has proved to be one of the fop-most riders in this country. These, it KOM, are only retainers. Me-Taggarts regular fees and presents will no doulit double the amount, making his earning capacity a total of about 25.0M a year. It shows plainly the growing popularity of rac lag and the value of a master rider when so many rich stakes are to be decided. The sums mentioned seem probably fabulous to the ordinary layman, but a high-class rider with a stable of good horses is of as much value as 00,000 a year president of a big commercial institution. One stake will at times cover the bill. So much depends ui on the expertness of a jockey in a pinch. Tom McTaggart has been riding for about ten years and was always what could lie termed a good rider. In his earlier years he was addicted to rough tactics while riding and once caused a serious ac ielont at Pimlico for which he paid a severe penalty. lieing saspeaded for several years. It was a lesson that bore fruit, for he has profited by his error. Given Up Rough Riding Tactics. "I have given up all that idea of rough riding." said Mi Tnggart in sneaking of the subject. "There is nothing in it. When I was a kid I knew no bet-tar and thought it a part of the sport. Now I give cvcrylmdy the same chance as I expect them to give me. and 1 wish every rider would take my view of the matter and that every owner or trainer would balcstick a jockey who attempted to interfere or rough-ride another jockey. Racing is far better with clean riding than rough work and eliminates all danger of killing a horse or jockey and sometimes both. "There is another item I should like to impress on riders and that is to cut out drinking. I have not tasted liipior since before Christmas. At that time 1 weighed US pounds. I began to get down t i racing weight immediately and in two or three days I reduced so fast that in less than a Week 1 could ride at 113 pounds. When I started at New Orleans it was easy for me to do 110 pounds an 1 today I could ride at 10! pounds without effort. I also feel far better and stronger than ever. There are lots of promising riders whose futures arc ruined through bad habits. If they only knew what was in store for th m by accepting a bit of good advice, they certainly would profit. Experie -n EC is a great teacher and I have had a world of experience, especially la paying the penalty for rough riding." Speak Flatteringly of Tijuana Track. Beth McTaggart and W. Slieedy had much to say in anise of the luture of Tijuana, where the] spent the early part ol the winter. They sieak flatter ingly of the possibilities of the new Mexican track and its manager. .lim ColTroth. who is doing all he can to encourage the sport in the Ear west. James Mac.Manus dropped into the Jockey Club office today from Oravesond. where he has eight horses, five of which are two-yi ar-olds. "The ground is thawing out a trifle." said he. "but it is not likely that many trainers will bring out their horses for a week. I saw one horse out today, but 1 think it a foolish move to tart track work until the weather has positively settled. I IHcr take mine out unless I am reasonably sure I will not have to take them back to shed work again. It does them more harm than good. There kaa not been a sick horse at Uiavesend this winter. Al! those I have seen look extremely fit and ready for preparation." Metropolitan Turf Notes. Owyn Tompkins has imported an Irish steeplechase man- named Silver Dart. She will be prepared for an early campaign. K. Wolke. tin steeplechase rider, has signed to ride for the North WOOS Stable this season, which Is trained by Jim Tray ling. Tom Welch, who has charge of the J. K. Widener horses, vi-ited the Umpire City Jockey Club office to make eatriea today. He says he hardly anticipate track work at Belmont Park Ix-fore the second week in March, there being nearly two feet of frost in the ground. " Yostenhry promised a break in the weather." said Welch, "but todays storm has. again upset all calculations." Mars Cassfcty is home from Juarez and living at Cravesend. lie will remain until the opening of the cast in season.
