Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1893 — FRAUD AT LOUISVILLE. [ARTICLE]

FRAUD AT LOUISVILLE.

The Notorious Ringer, Polk Badger, Turns Up at the Track. The second race at the Louisville Jockey Club grounds Wednesday proved a r eal sensation. Little Annie was a 3-to-5 chance, with Cactus Blossom a strong second choice, but both, as well as the other starters, were cleverly beaten by the 8-to-l chance, Little Dan, entered by a man styling himself F. Root, and describing the horse as a "bay gelding, 6, by imp. Glenelg, dam Miss Lightfoot.” On the track the horse was only moderately played, which threw off any suspicions as to him being a ringer until long after the numbers were hoisted and all bets paid. Soon the rumor went out that he was not what he appeared to be, and then suddenly Ed Wiley, who trained Tanner, alias Polk Badget, for two years, informed the judges that Little Dan was the notorious son of Long Taw beyond a question of doubt, he identifying him by a peculiar mark which he has carried since a colt. Upon receipt of this intelligence Colonel M. Lewis Clark, ordered officers to go and bring the man Root and a companion to the judges’ stand, together with the horse, and compel them to identify Little Dan. This word, nowever, came too late, as upon investigation men and horse had bid Churchill Downs adieu, leaving the purse of $250 to be turned over to the owner of the second horse, Interior, and also neglected to settle with Costello, who piloted Little Dan to victory. Once this fact became known the work of tracing the trio began, but further than being tracked to a car at the railway station near by nothing developed as to where they have gone.