WAGERS TARNISH SPORT OF BIRD RACING, MAN SAYS.

Byline: Associated Press 

For those who think pigeons are simply grubby street prowlers, consider the view of those who breed messenger pigeons as winged thoroughbreds worthy of a high-stakes - and perhaps illegal - bet.

Police have begun investigating illegal betting on pigeon races, a crime authorities did not know existed until the American Racing Pigeon Union came to San Francisco last week.

The event draws participants from all over the country who enter about 2,500 birds in two categories. The highlight of the annual convention is a championship race, which brings $100,000 to the winning bird's handler and owner.

It sounds innocent enough. But police began looking into the races after a disgruntled member of the group complained that the organization is operating an ``illegal gambling enterprise in the form of high-stakes gambling races,'' according to a sworn statement provided to police by Chris Booth, of Lebanon, Ore.

``Honestly, I don't know what's going on here,'' Officer Michael Farrell said Wednesday. ``I've never heard of a bookmaker - in the common sense of the word - taking wagers on pigeon racing. If anybody is wagering on the race, we honestly don't have the manpower to do anything about it.''

Still, Farrell said the department is taking Booth's complaint seriously.

In an interview with the San Francisco Examiner, the Oregon man complained that gambling is hurting the sport of pigeon racing.

``The big boys are dragging it down. It's my hobby and my heart,'' Booth said. ``I see this transition, and it really troubles me.''

He accused the group of violating federal and state racketeering laws designed to curb organized crime and street gangs.

Several participants scoffed at Booth's charges, but conceded that pigeon fanciers make small ``side bets'' or independent wagers on outcomes.

``Nobody gets rich racing pigeons,'' said Dr. Pat Baymiller, who has raised his own birds since 1934 and owned the bird that set the current American speed record of 80 mph. ``I couldn't buy a cup of coffee a day from what I make from pigeons.''

The birds are trained to do one thing: fly home. Owners practice by letting the bird loose a few miles from home and gradually increase the distances. Championship-caliber birds often fly 500 to 600 miles in a race. The average speed is about 40 to 43 mph. But some pigeons have flown closer to 80 mph with a nice tail wind.

Birds entered in the championship race must fly from Austin, Nev., to 145 locations throughout the Bay Area.

The winners are determined by calculating the distance flown and the time it takes to get to a designated destination.

``This is competitive - everyone wants to win. But we're here for the fun,'' said Bob Natrop, 68 of Kaukauna, Wis.