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BUYS ODONNELLS CONTRACT S. Lando of San Francisco Pays 5,000 for Riding Sensation of Tijuana Meeting-. SAN DIEGO, Cal., Feb. 20 After many reports and negotiations, extending over a period of three weeks, it was officially announced today that the contract on Stephen ODonnell, the crack apprentice rider, has been purchased by S. Lando from C. E. Thompson. The price is said to have been 15,000. This sum was paid by Lando after Thompson had turned down previous offers, some of these being for as much as 2,000. During the period of negotiations Edward Arlington, well known New York turfman who is racing a stable here, and I. B. Humphreys of Denver, owner of Little Chief, engaged in the bidding for Obonnells contract. However, Lando, a young San Francisco sportsman, outbid his wealthy rivals and appears well satisfied that he had to go as far as 5,000 to get the boy. ODonnell is a native of Cushing, Okla., and is 17 years of age. IPs natural riding weight is 100 pounds. Coming to Tijuana at the inception of the present meeting, this youth rode himself to fame until he became the reigning sensation of the sport at the border course. It was frequently noted that this stripling is possessed of. a keen eye, rare gameness, cool judgment and the ability to waft with a mount. Time and again ODonnell has outridden his more experienced rivals and this naturally attained a great popularity for him. It is the opinion of close observers of riders that ODonnell is a rider of exceptional ability and included among these are judge Francis IT. Nelson and Marshall Cassidy, starter. Lando announced that he -will take ODonnell to New York during the waning days of the Tijuana meeting to give the Gotham fans a chance to see the star of the far west in action.
