to qualify as an exercise-boy and quite another to toe the mark as a
jockey. For the former it is only necessary to have good hands, a good
seat in the saddle, and to implicitly obey a trainer's instructions. No
initiative is required. But it is absolutely essential that a boy
should own all these adjuncts and many others--quickness of perception,
unlimited daring, and alertness to make a jockey. No truer summing up
of the necessary qualifications is there than the old and famous "Father
Bill" Daly's doggerel and appended note:

"Just a tinge of wickedness,
With a touch of devil-may-care;
Just a bit of bone and meat,
With plenty of nerve to dare.
And, on top of all things--he must be a tough kid."

And "Father Bill" Daly ought to know above all others, for he has
trained more famous jockeys than any other man in America.

There are two essential points in the training of race-horses--secrecy
and ability. Crimmins possessed both, but the scheduled situation of the
Calvert stables rendered the secret "trying out" of racers before track
entry unnecessary. It is only fair to state that if Major Calvert had
left his trainer to his own judgment his stable would have made a better
showing than it had. But the major's disposition and unlimited time
caused him more often than not to follow the racing paraphrase: "Dubs
butt in where trainers fear to tread."

He was so enthusiastic and ignorant over horses that he insisted upon
campaigns that had only the merit of good intentions to recommend
them. Some highly paid trainers throw up their positions when their