The Cheyenne Daily Leader

Horse Racing.
George Alfred Townsend.
I was asking William Conner, long the
starter of horses at the various running
tracks, and now the proprietor of the St.
James hotel, about the condition of the turf
yesterday. Said he: "Racing never was so
popular in this country as now. There are
2,000 trained race horses this season. Last
week we had simultaneous racing at five
points in the country, and plenty of good
horses to go around. Mr. Lorillard has more
horses than ever before, but great horses
come apparently by luck, and he does not
show out this season as well as in other years.
The Dwyers buy their horses instead of breed-
ing them. They have been successful, but fas-
idious men like the pleasure of breeding
their own animals. The race track at Sheeps-
head bay, which cost about $400,000, pays 30
per cent., and W. K. Vanderbilt is one of the
owners. Saratoga will have fine racing, al-
though on account of a difference with the
associations hereabout as to the number of
days and the times to be allowed Saratoga,
some of the leading stables will not go there
this season." As to jockeys Mr. Conner said:
"Hughes makes the most money. He re-
ceives $4,000 a year and is paid for his
mounts besides, the extra sum given being in
general $10 to ride, win or lose, and $25 to
win." I asked about the son of Tom Sayers,
and was told that he was employed in a rac-
ing stable.