Lefty "Rip" Van Tassel: Young Apprentice Proving a Sensation in California-Recalling Other "Southpaws", Daily Racing Form, 1938-11-23

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LEFTY "RIP" VAN TASSEL Young Apprentice Proving a Sensation in California Recalling Other "Southpaws." SAN BRUNO, Calif., Nov. 22. "Rip" Van Tassel, the left-handed young man, turned in riding exploits last week sufficient to make him the western riding sensation. In winning ten races and dead-heating another during five afternoons, Master Van Tassel became the talk of the turf. His victories are mainly accomplished by taking the outside course. Invariably when he goes to the whip his mounts skid away to avoid the lash flaying down on their hides in unexpected quarters and they swing wide. Southpaw pilots long since discovered startling reactions from horses when they are swatted on the "wrong" flank. Left-handed lashing had much to do in making Wayne Wright and Jimmy Butwell accomplished riders. Raymond Peternel and Jack Huntamer, as left-handed apprentice boys, led the western group in their day before grounded by increasing weight. Willie Moran zipped a mean left whip to achieve surprising results in his heydey when employed by C. B. Irwin. Left flipping "Rip" does not spare the whip. He wields meanly and persuasively, though some times rather clumsily. Style will come as he gains more experience. Van Tassel wins em on the outside and his left-handed whip takes him there.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1938112301/drf1938112301_2_6
Local Identifier: drf1938112301_2_6
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800