Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-23
TRACY'S PLAIN TALK.
The Famous Kentucky Horseman
Assails lineup Records.
GOOD POINTS ABOUT TROTTERs.
Mack Writes.a Letter to the Local Club
and May Sign Shortly.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

B. f. Tracy, the Kentucky trotting horse
breeder of world wide fame, was in the city
yesterday on his way from New York,
where he attended the Bonner horse sale.
While there he bought three young horses.
Ashland Park farm, which Mr. Tracy
owns, is one of the largest establishments
for the breeding Of trotters in the world.
Frn,E this farm the United States is repre-
sensfd in the shape of speedy horses In
Gesmany, France. Russia, Australia New
Zealand, Italy and South America. AT
present there are 300 highly bred represen-
tatives of the equine race, headed by that
Adonis of stations, Fayette Wilkes, consid-
cred the handsomest horse in the world, and
one of George Wilkes greatest sons.
An Interesting Talk.
Speaking of the last seasons slate break
ing by the California horses and their COM
parative standing with Kentucky bred
trotters he made this interesting talk:
GAS between the Electioneer and the
Wilkes get we must weigh the matter
down in this manner For a winning
ability there is no comparison between the
Wilkes and the Electioneer get. The latter
has been made famous in exhibition miles,
the former got its name in races for blood.
The showing against time and the number
Of tin cup records made by the California
trotters is phenomenal. But the crucial
test in all speed contests is put to the limit
when horse goes out in a big field of fast
company, and forges to the front under the
whip, and amid excitement which tends to
unnerve any animal with heart. There
is where the Wilkes family excell. / don't
wish to speak disparagingly of the slope
trotter, but the records, performances and
surrounding circumstances will bear me
out in what I say.
California Advantages.
''The climatic resources of California af-
ford advantages for an early development of
the trotter which Kentucky has not got.
The youngster records out there cannot and
will not be beaten by any Eastern horse of
the present day. But here's point to con-
slider. Is the physical constitution Of the
animal good? Compare the vegetation OF
Florida and Pittsburg. The vegetable
which natures early and quickly in the
South is not in quality as good and sound
as that raised slowly and carefully in Pitts
burg's suburbs But the best test of all is
to go down the line in the big circuit. and
you don't find any of the frail bat fleet ones
there. 1t is a case of early maturity early
decay with the California trotter
''What do you think of the Wilkes Man,
brino Patchen combination 2" asked the re-
porter.
Gas an element to race and win money no
other breed in the world approaches it.
Gas to the two-minute trotter we will
never see it in our age. To get this wind
beater' We will have to do away with Wal
lace and the standard bred horses and cross
re-cross the thoroughbred runner with the
frn ffnr e. 1,ol,
ness. and the latter for action. When this
is successfully done we will have the two
minute trotter"
About lineup Records.
'sDo you think the lineup records should
be recognized"
'Emphatically no. 1t is a farce. If you
wish TO purchase a horse and a man tells
you the animal has mark of '22; but don't
say where he got it, you think You are max
ing great acquisition when your horse
friend asks 1000 for him. You ask me
how much will take for a trotter with
mark of '27 made in company. / say So 900.
Then you go off mad and buv the '22 lineup
horse thinking that it is the biggest bargain
on earth.
Look at the books to-day and you'll find
so per cent of the Electioneer family has got
records by 'freside trotting,' while the
likes progeny comes to the front with 80
per cent of its records made in races for
purses.
'I an not in favor of the kite-shape
track. think Maud S really is entitled
to-the record as she made her mile on a cir
cular track, and I think any man who is
impartial will agree with me. She could
have covered the circuit in 2:O6 had Mr.
Bonner allowed her to go to her utmost
when younger