In “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” how do the stories about Jim Smiley’s horse and dog affect the development of the story about the jumping frog?
A) stories set up the idea that Smiley had backup bets if his jumping frog failed.
B)The stories set up the idea that Smiley assumed his clever training made his bets impossible to lose.
C)The stories set up the idea that Smiley lost bets concerning previous animals.
D)The stories set up the idea that Smiley relied on his animals for income.

The stories set up the idea that Smiley relied on his animals for income (Option D).

Explanation:

Smiley makes his living by betting but he is honest in the sense he never cheats on his bets. He puts his efforts into training his animals that look weak and unassuming. He trains them how to win, like in the case of his mare that he taught to hold back until the very last part of the race so she could then dash ahead and win. He also had a bulldog named Andrew Jackson, and his frog as well named Dan’l Webster. All of these were unlikely winners in the races or contests they engaged in. Jim Smiley presumably earns his living betting with the others in his community and people who pass through the town.