Whilst, looking for some references to an obscure name I happened to land upon the following:
from Dec 12, 1951 Harness Horse:
A wealthy jeweler of Odessa, Russia, who was an ardent trotting horse fancier, had a great desire to see his oldest son become a successful trainer and race driver, so he very naturally decided to try and place him under the tutelage of Frank Caton at Moscow. In his letter to the famous horseman, he dilated on his son's aptness and inherent love for horses, also inquiring under what arrangements he could have his son learn, and closed his communication by stating that "Ivan was cut out for a great trainer."
Mr. Caton in his reply explained the nature of the work devolving on apprentices, also the price, 600 rubles, then $300 in U. S. money. In due time Ivan pat in his appearance and for a time made nice progress, appearing to show considerable promise. However, bright and early one morning he hooked up a trotter which was to race several days later in a Sunday feature event, and not being content to merely jog him, began to test the speed of the stallion up to the limit, and in rounding a turn, the horse fell heavily to the ground, bruising both front knees severely.
When Mr. Caton visited his stable that same morning, and as was his never failing custom, made a careful tour of inspection of his every charge, he discovered the condition of the injured stallion which he counted on pulling off a nice prize on Sunday, the horse now hardly able to walk when led out for a critical examination, so Mr. Caton was naturally incensed. Ivan, however, was not present, in fact never showed up until late. in the evening, but the "boss man" was still at his stables to greet him and "give him the grand bounce." A letter was immediately sent the jeweler relating what his oldest son was guilty of and in closing Mr. Caton stated: "In your first communication, you stated that your son was cut out for a great trainer and driver, and while I am not, of course, in position to dispute that fact, I must conclude that if such is true, he most certainly was sewed up wrong."
