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SHREWD TRICK OF TOD SLOANS. How He Secured Santois Owner a Good Price Against His Colt. Though costing only ISO guineas as a yearling Suntoi won for George Edwards the Ascot Cup and many other important races, besides about 1917.sh0,000 in stakes and some substantial wagers. At bast one of these was won under peculiar circumstances, such as do not prevail in America, since betting here ceases with the starting of a race. In the Free Handicap, at the Newmarket Houghton meeting. Santoi. then a three-year-old. was allotted 101 pounds and it was thought tiiat he had a great chance, especially if Sloan could be secured to rice-him. This was arranged, the American jockey asking, however, that the Celt might be sent to Newmarket in order that he could become acquainted with bis peculiarities. To Newmarket Santoi went accordingly, the real explanation, one is driven to suspect, being that Sloan was greatly interested at this time in Codoman. winner of the Prix du Ooaaeil Municipal and other good races in France, and then in England, greatly fancied for the Cambridgeshire. Sloan, indeed, proceeded to try the two. making Codoman give ten pounds, and Santoi won so easily that a few days afterward they were galloped again at even weights. Santoi again had it all his own way. whereupon the energetic jockey was anxious to see whither he could possibly give the Frenchman weight, and this time, conceding seven pounds. Santoi won a third gallop. These trials were, of course, noticed by some of the horse watchers, always on the alert at Newmarket, but in strict confidence an "explanation" of them was kindly provided. Those who fendly believed themselves to be behind the scenes were allowed to gather that Codoman had been giving forty-two pounds and that Santoi had been permitted to win for the sake of deceiving the lookers-on. It was supposed to have Imn ascertained by these gallops that "Codoman could pull a milk cart and boat Santoi." Sloan Gets Santois Owner a Price. When Mr. Edwardes got to Newmarket Sloan told him at any rate something approaching to the truth. The owner learned at least that Santoi was a really good colt, and when the numbers went up for the Free Handicap, it immediately became evident that he was strongly fancied by those who were eager to support their faith in the ring. The rumor which had run around to Santois detriment had inspired Mr. Edwardes with the hope that he would get a good price, for James R. Koenos American horse. Disguise; the useful Marconi, already a winner at the meeting, and Sonatura were all In the field: but his surprise was equal to bis disgust when he found Mis horse practically unbackable. He got 100 to 40 once, and then could get no more on at any price. When he told Sloan of the state of affairs tlie jockey, who was just mounting, meditated a moment, and then said: "Dont be in a hurry about it. Ill get you a price. Youll be able to back !iim in the running." With that the owner had to be content. Santoi began none too well when the flag fell. In the first quarter of a mile he was trailing, and M the a then galloped on be dropped farther back. Sonatura was doing the racing, with Disguise close up and Santoi apparently out of it. Presently a voice came from the middle of the ring: "Ill lay 10 to 1 Santoi." Charlie Hibbert. one of the big bookmakers, put up his glasses to have a look, the result of his ob servation being an offer of 50 to 1 ten times against the colt, which Mr. Edwardes promptly secured. Hibbert then had another look. Santoi was still apparently out of the race, and "Ten hundreds to one Santoil" was his offer. Another bKkmaker followed suit. Mr. Edwardes taking both bets; and soon lie was gratified to see his colt gradually creeping up. passing the others one by one and winning with extreme ease. While A. E. T. Watson, who tells this and other incidents of Mr. Edwardes racing career, makes no comment on Sloans assurance in busying himself about the comparative methods of Santoi and Codoman. it cannot be doubted that this line of action operated towards the eventful refusal of his riding license. In England they want a jockey to mind his own business and not meddle with that of his employers. When Sloan forgot his place he lost his job.
