The Worthington advance., 1879-01-02
The II LisrLE GRAY.


Mex: door to th. Giisey house, on Broad :
way, arc what arc called the Excelsior
stables. In, which ths famous trotting' geld
ing, Hopeful, has bfens assigned comfortable
quarters for the wintor. On entering The
building the gallant gray was found:lookihg
out of the upper door of his box stall, bis
grand head and Intelligent eyes being very
conspicuous. Mr.. Redmond, who was in
charge Of Hopeful, aud who, by the way,
seoms very proud Of his pet, removed the
blankets SO that a good view could be taken
of the gallant little gray. He is a splendidl>
formed horse all over. He has filled up COLI
siderably since his return from his long.
arduous and brilliant campaign of the past
summer and autumn, which was finished on
snow covered track, and his vexui,erant
spirits found vent in a few playful
antics. Hopeful is always genteel
in his behavior; never throws
his ears back nor lifts a leg to intimidate n
visitor, his disposition being very gentle, and
not q vice. mars his character Hopeful 8
performances are we'll know to horsemen,
many of whom regard him as the fastest
trettirg horse in che world now on -tl,e.turff;
although in the great performances Rarus
has slightly the best record in, harness at the
present time. <Hopeful's great wagon per-
fcrmance Of three heats in 2:16A, 2:l7, 2:l7,
at Chicago, Oct. IL, this year, was magniti-
cent indeed, and far. superior to any ever
made before. Hopeful commenced his turf
career in 1873. In 1875 he made record
at Hartford in 2:l71(. ~Iu 1876 he was not
started in d race, he being "let up'' during
that year. In lS77,he beat Judge Fullerton,
Albemarle and Adelaide in 2:1811z, -2:2O,
2:2lH.. over Feetwood park, and during
the season conqueie d: Great Eastern. Snug,
g!er, Lucille Golddust md 'Nottie' without
lowering his record, but trotting frequently
less than 2:2O. Last spring he con,mopced
his season. 's,work at Adrian, Mich. From
there hewas taken to Jackson, Grand Rapids.
East Saginaw. Toledo, Cleveland, B. afalo,
Rochester, Utica, Hartford, Minncas s:olis,
Kansas City, Quincy, St. Louis, Chicago,
NV York, und he fiaishei at Albany lats in
trotted frequently twice; week. Hs: Mi
driven in some Of bis RACES e hy, y: sMcC:rsy,
well ,known.as a careful, painstaking driver.
2if5115; trottioH in 2:i7ll, ,S2!15a, o:151@.
In this race heSwas. driven By Dal, Mace Wfo
handle him during the remainder of the
season, except at Buffalo, where ths gallant
gray4~as handled by john Splan ana won
m fast time, 90 we'll as ut Utica,
when be. beat Great Eastern and Proteine it,
2:161<, 2:16A, 2:174: A. HARTFORD, with
Dan behind him, he, a Gain beat Great East
ern. At Minneapolis lie trotted second
heat in the remarkable time of 2:14M, which
IS now his record. AT ST. -Lou,s he trotted
two days; the first day in 2:152l, and the
secoEd day three heats against Rarus best
tinie; then (2:1511zz), over the St. Louis track,
winning III >2:l511@S;; 2:l5;; 2:l515. At Chiea-
60, in harness, Hopeful beat Rarus to a
wagon and Great Eastern under the saddle
i'll E2:l7lf, S2;17, PIG, with a gale of wind
blowing at the time, and finished at that
place; as before stated; with his unrivaled
wagon performances Of 2:1e115, 2:l7, PIT
| Rarhs was timed at the same place in
2:lS511e,~ 2:1s,- 2:17.~ At other places where
Hopeful trotted he .'ade fast time for The
late season of the year. As great many
! errors frequently get into print IN relation &c
Hopefurs size and other proportions, we
| will eudeayor to correct them. He is fifteen