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RANCOGAS JOCKEY RIVALRY Sande and Fator, Best of Friends, in Bitter Track Struggles at Saratoga. SARATOGA, N. Y., August 12. Although jockeys Earl Sande and Laverne Fator, contract riders for the Raneocas Stable, room together, eat together and spend practically all of their spare time witli each other, their friendship ceases when they hook j up in a race, and they have had quite a few thrilling stretch duels since the Saratoga meeting opened, j Thus far Fator lias the best of it, as he beat his rival more times than he was beaten by him, and every time it was in a close finish. There is no open jealousy between the two riders, but they just naturally seem to ride harder when pitted against each other than at any other time. Trainer Samuel C. Hildreth says that he never saw a pair of jockeys under engagement to the same stable with the vast opportunities that they have get along in such perfect harmony, and when one is jiot riding in a race he is invariably to be found "rooting" for his companion to win. Hildreth is responsible for this to a certain extent, as botii boys share alike in extra financial remuneration when one or the other wins a stake for the Raneocas Stable. The recent Sennings Park-Thunderclap race was undoubtedly the hardest fought of the meeting to date, and in it Sande triumphed over his roommate, but not until after the latter hud exhausted his every bit of skill in an effort to win. He even forced Sande wide through the stretch and he was only beaten in the final strides. That these two riders owe their success to the interest which they take in their work is the opinion of Hildreth and many other turf exports. They are the first to arrive at the stable in the mornings, and never think of leaving until the last; horse is put away. No task is too hard for them, and they seem to derive pleasure from their- work. Their personal habits could not be improved upon, and since they became connected with the Raneocas establishment they have yet to be censured in this respect. BOTH HAIL FROM IDAHO. By a singular coincidence these two "buddies" hail from the same state Idaho. Sandes home is at American Falls, while Fator is a product of Twin Falls. The former is twenty-two years of age, while his companion is two years his junior. Joseph H. Goodman is responsible for Sandes presence in American racing circles, as lie was his first tutor. He later disposed of him to AV. P. Johnson, Chicago sportsman, who in turn sold his contract to Commander J. K. L. Ross. His breach witli the latter just previous to the Man o AVar-Sir Barton match race at Kenilworth last year is still fresh in the memory of racing enthusiasts. Commander Ross made Sande a present of his contract, and lie then became connected with the Raneocas establishment. That the disagreement between the rider and wealthy Montreal turfman was not as serious as many imagined is evidenced by the fact that he is again riding some of his horses this year. Fator was discovered by Stuart Polk, In the far AVest also, and he .realized 5,000 on his contract when he sold him to Hildreth. His rise was rapid as. he came from the small circuit direct to the eastern tracks, and he made good from the first.
