Doping a horse with the intent of losing

[Calzone Lord]

Sponging cases didn't start being reported until about the 1930's.

From 1890-to-1920 "night riding" incidents would occasionally be reported.

Night Riders -- often working for a big gambler -- would sneak into a horses stall at night, take him out, and ride him to exhaustion before sneaking him back into the stall.

They would do this with horses who are entered to run that day.