Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 875

This 1895 Beadle & Adams dime novel, "Trapping the Race Track Judge" by Wm. H. Manning, begins with a Western adventure at the Suburban Course racetrack in New York. John Williamson, a rough stockman from Oklahoma, arrives at the 1894 racing season and bets confidently on the horse Pontiac, ridden by jockey Lew Austin. After Pontiac wins a thrilling finish against the favorite Brazos, a wealthy New Yorker named Verplanck Jones accuses Austin of fouling his horse at the turn. Williamson defends Austin hotly, nearly draws weapons with Jones before bystanders intervene. Later, Williamson meets with Austin, who expresses concern that Pontiac's racing days are nearly finished due to strain. Williamson, convinced the horse remains sound, offers to purchase Pontiac for five hundred dollars.