Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-02-26
n WINTER QUARTERS.
The Thoroughbreds at Agri-
cultural Park.
JOHNSTON, KING OF THE TURF.
All of the Animals in Superb COndi-
ti0n-A Look Around the
Stables.

All Of the Animals In SUPERB COnul.
ti0n-A Look Around the
Stables.
Two or thxee years ago it flashed
across the minds of the Eastern trainers
that Los Angeles would be good place
to winter their racing stock, inasmuch as
with such an equable climate and total
immunity from cold the thoroughbreds
could be kept at work every day, which
was infinitely preferable to cooping them
up in the artificial heat of Eastern
stables. The idea was further encour-
aged by the fact that the Sixth District
Association of California had got the
race-track and training grounds at the
Agricultural Park, Los Angeles, in superb
condition. So overtures were at once
commenced tending to realization of
the project, and resulted in deal being
made, SO the secretary of the park set to
work and put up additional stabling, in
order that all the visitors could be accom-
modated. When the present winter sea-
son opened, the Southern Pacific found
itself billed as the carriers of a number
of Eastern horses, and when the cold
weather in the East thoroughly set in
the thoroughbreds began to troop into
Los Angeles, among the notables being
the well-known strings of Budd Doble,
the Chicago horseman and turtle. Un-
derstanding that a good many equine
celebrities were, therefore, passing the
har uocfapAou
afternoon dropped down to the park and,
on passing through the newly-white-
washed gates, made for the stables
which occupy the southwestern corner OF
the grounds. AS he came near them in
dications Of the horsey surround,
ings developed themselves on all
hands, for in the open space
in front of the stalls a number
of jockeys and stablemen were amusing
themselves by game of quoits with
horseshoes, while from the opened boxes
sleek-coated racers were apparently tax.
ing deep interest in the proceeding, and
one of them deserving the scribe neighed
. shrill welcome as he drew near. The
advent Of stranger evidently did not
favorably impress the horsemen, for they
looked askance as he saluted them, but
on explaining that, in the interest of the
readers of the HERALD, he simply desired
to be shown around the stables, their
frowns became smiles, and Mr.. Will
Durfee, son of the celebrated turtle, G.
A. Durfee, at once proffered his services
as guide.
THE DURFEE STRING.
As Mr.. Durfee's stables were the near
est of access they we're inspected first,
and the first set of doors that was thrown
open revealed the pride of the course,
Gossiper, the Kentucky 4year old dark
bay stallion. This animal has such q
worldwide record that reference to his
qualities are almost needless, the fact of
his having, as 3-year.old, trotted mile
in 2:211a, thus giving him for his
class the best time ever made west of the
Rockies, being in itself sufficient COM
mendation. "And he went half the dis
tance at 2:171a gait" said his admiring
trainer, who stood by and who added as
dossiper tossed his head as if he knew
what was being said, "We expect to beat
the 4-year old stud record of 2:18A with
him this year." Mr.. Durfee was offered
SIC, 900 for the horse last fall, but refused
it, being confident that even at those
figures to keep the animal will be q good
stroke of business. Gossiper is not
entered for any of the of the big races
OF the year Though it is not too late, as
the entries are not yet closed], but he
will undoubtedly appear number of
times, barring accident, and will prob
ably be turned out at the forthcoming
spring meeting. He is one of the most
magnifcently put up animals that ever
was hitched to sulky, and but for the fact
that his ears have been damaged could
pose as perfect model of the equine
race.
In the next stall stood Raymon, half
brother to Gossiper. and " no took in the
circuit last season, and made for himself
a record of 2 :28I. He is a fine young
animal, and 30 far has won everything
that he has started for, having what his
proud stableman calls "John L. Sulli-
van record"
Next comes Wicklow, 5-year-old Del
Sur flly, who has never made a public
appearance on the track. She is very
promising animal, and will make her
debut this season on the circuit.
THE WOOD STABLES.
The stables occupied by the animals
trained by B. F. Wood were next in
line, and. with her head out of the first
box stood handsome 3-year-old gray
illy, by Judge Salisbury, the property of
Joe Aguirre.
A few feet further on could be seen the
handsome head of Sheriff Martin
Aguirre's 3-year-old black horse Regalo,
by Sultan, 3-year-old trotter of great
promise.
The 5.year-old bay filly Echo, the prop
erty OF Joe Aguirre, stood next, and, with
. record of 2:35, she commands atten-
tion as a promising scion of the trotting
class.
Charley Fishers bay 5-year-old trotter,
which competed in the recent races for
the benefit of the Orphans Home, was
the next in line, and then came 3-year-
old sorrel gelding, by Judge Salisbury,
with record of 2:371a.
Mr.. Mulholland's Shandon, coming
3-year-old Stamboul colt of mare by
Richmond next claimed attention, and
as he is only just being broken, was re-
markably frisky and evinced a strong
desire to bite his visitors, which, it is
needless to say, was promptly if not
efficiently checked.
The Del Sur colt Cleo, with record
OF 2 :3S, and very promising 4-year-old
Del Sur filly, wound up string, and
then turn was made at right angles for
the quarters where the Eastern horses