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— r """"" HI - and REFLECTIONS By Nelson Dunstan Grooms Once Paid 5 a Month Mow Receive From 50 to 00 Littlefield on the Preakness They May Bar Jockey Agents NEW YORK, N. Y.. April 15. A gentleman who signs himself "F. L. S.,* and who writes from Pawtucket, R. I., states: Something must be done about grooms. Some 55 years ago I was a groom for one of our noted trainers who turned breeder. On the first of every month he paid us 0 a month, with board included. We were up at 3 oclock in the morning and we were kept busy through 7:30 p. m. Believe it or not, we were happy and kept some of our money. Some 39 years ago I worked for A. L. Aste, who is now living in New York. When I left him I went with Robert Walden for 5 per month and I was glad to get it. Of course. I realize times have changed. Now grooms are getting 50 to 00 a month, including at the gate, 0 or more if they win and most likely 0 or 0 from the boss. Where the heck do they get their kick from? If they would take care of their money and stop trying to keep automobiles they would be the most independent workers in America." Frankly, sir, we would rather see the grooms paid 00 per month than the 9 you men were paid many years ago. This writer is not in sympathy with strikers, but we are for men getting a livable wage. Our only quarrel with the grooms, in their recent strikes, is that they take an unfair advantage of the public that supports the game. Many interesting letters reached our desk in the last week and we could only wish we had space to print them all. One from Frederick, Md., said: Dear Sir: I am sending you the origin of the Preakness, run at Pimlico. I just had this printed in my home paper at Frederick and wish you would accept this copy of it. Your*- very truly. Fred Littlefield. In the week between the Derby and Preakness, we intend to publish this copy, for Fred Littlefield was one of the greatest jockeys of his day. Back in 1888, he rode Refund to win the Preakness from colt by Ten Broeck and Glendale. That was 56 years ago and, as Mr. Littlefield was 23 years old when he rode Refund, he is now 79 years old. He is just another example of the fact that racing people often live to * ripe old age. It is surprising how many jockeys, who live long past the allotted span, are still to be seen around the race tracks. Brooklyn, N. Y. LOS ANGELES. Calif. Dear Mr. Dunstan: I have noticed in your column that you use the terms "well-bred" and fashionably-bred." Just recently, you used the term "a ! three-quarters brother." I understand that in the cases of Miss Dogwood and Durazna that both are out of Myrtlewood. Miss Dogwood is by Bull Dog. and Durazna is by Bull Lea, Bull Dogs son. Then they are ! three-quarters sisters. But are Col. C. V. i Whitneys Alamein, and E. K. Brysons Director J. E., three-quarters brothers, a3 they are both by Sickle and out of Man o j War mares? Yours truly, R. J. B. No, they are not considered three-quar- ; ters brothers, for the relationship of any two horses is taken from the mares side. This is very confusing, we know, but if you were to take a filly by Man o War out of Angelic, and a colt by Playfellow a i full brother to Man o War out of Angelic, they would be a three -fourths brother and sister. Providence. R. I. Dear Mr. Dunstan: I read in your column, of April 10, that at their annual meeting the National Association of Racing Commissioners will be asked to bar all jockey agents. I concur in that idea. By all the means at your command, help to have this done. In the old days, when we used to have from 20 to 30 horses run in each race, each rider was attached to some stable and the trainer picked his mounts for him. Jockey agents have done more to kill the game than any other single agency. Yours very truly. C. L. S. This writer certainly has no idea of joining in a campaign to have jockey agents barred from the rac« tracks. As we see it, there are many fine men in that end of the business. It is the lack of jurisdiction on the part of the officials that enables some agents to drag all their fellows into disrepute. Stop the offenders, but do not stop them by barring those who are worth while.
