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J. McTAGGART HAS BAD RUN OF LUCK Something Seems to Happen to the Popular Jockey in Nearly Every Race He Rides. New York. June 11. — Joekey J. MeTaggart is getting an all round trouncing from the public these days. Mention a horse that he rides and it is the signal for ridicule. Kvcn Hichard T. Wilson is lic-giuning to believe it possible that his jockev is a "jinx" to the stabl". "I cant win a race of anv kind," said Mr. Wilson. "Hither 5 am out of luck or MeTaggart is. imssibly it is a bit of both." Hut Mr. Wilson is optimistic on such matters and de-• lares that times will change some day for the bet tor. That M.Taggart i in a streak of bad luck is unquestioned. Scmcthing happens to him in almost every race he rides. If it is not on:- thing, it is another. The boy knows it and his anxietv to win has been the cause of many of his defeats. McTaggarts case recalls the experience of Tommy Hums. Almost a generation ago Hums ami the Goddess of Fortune had a falling out while he was riding in California. He rode twelve or thirteen consecutive favorites and failed on every one. His ill luck seemed phenomenal and there were thane who went so far as to say hi- defeats were premediated. Hut those who wen- chummy with Hums knew differently, for every time he lost they had a financial spasm. He was in bad riding form and to make mat ters worse, he was riding badly. MeTaggart has probably ridden horses that, while made favorites by the public, have not been quite good enough to win. The slightest mistake in such instances and the "house to blame" tumbles all over the jockev. without the slightest hcsitanev or justice on the part of those who have suffered bv his defeat. Only last year Hobinsoii was condemned m.inv ti s owing to a long string of defeats through riding a nondescript collection of horses. Hut he rounded to later on and showed at Liurel that he was a master horseman and continued to do so throughout th- winter. MeTaggart is in a streak of bad luck, but the chances are he will come around again shmtlf and ride as well as he ever did. "Im in teach tack," said he, "and riding badly with it. . * .
