Fred Shira

Windshields still frosted up each morning. The weather was getting warmer. The wind was losing some its bite. Spring was coming. The trees had begun to leaf out. First come the Maples lining the horse paths. The hard woods, walnuts and oaks would come later. It was an old setting with big mature trees. They were guarded and tended by the landscape grounds crew. The cleaning crews were making the grandstand shine. The concession stands were stocked. Tomorrow was the first day of racing for the summer.
Old time stables came in from their winter quarters. This was once The Sport of Kings. The big money brought out the crooks. It was becoming the Sport of Knaves.
The crowds weren’t as big as they used to be. Too many other forms of gambling had sprung up. In the old days you went out to the track. And, every neighborhood had a bookie. That is if you couldn’t get to the track.
The bookies still do a good business. They give credit. The street world has its own banking system. The bookies extend credit and take markers. These are IOU’s of a sort. Of course they charge for this service. Markers not picked up are sold to a shylock.
The shy is kind of like a credit manager. The shy then contacts the borrower. He asks how he plans to pay off the debt. This is like on Wall Street. The shy adds his service charge. It is called vigorish, vig for short. The going rate is around ten percent per week. This is compounded of course. The borrower must not miss his weekly payment. If he misses the shy pays sends a notice. He suggests that the borrower make his payments. He adds a penalty just like the bank. If that doesn’t work the shy pays a visit. He suggests that the borrower take his responsibility more seriously. The shy is a little more insistent than ordinary banks with his collection methods. Seldom do you hear of the banks using an electric drill on the kneecap of one of its clients.
Come along with Mike and Tina, two big city detectives, as they delve into the underworld of horse racing. Along the way they encounter murders and a list of interesting characters.