New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-31
WORK OF THE TROTTERS.
THE PITTSBUKG AND DETROIT MEETINGS.

cess OF the TWO rival mcepngs at Detroit and Ptsburg
during the third week Of this month 1t has been the
aim of the Detroit Driving Club. under its present
organization, to give the banner meeting Of the
year, and no track in the country displays more
libcray in endcavorng 10 further this ambition Be
fore 1890 there opposition OF any account and
the trainers with accord, made plans to include
the beautiful Michigan city in their annual pilgrimage
Then came the revival at PitSburg, and when Home
wood Park secured a PLACE in the Grand Circuit the
Detroit mana cement had TO bes,ir itself brSky
than usual The weather frowncd on the reap
pcarance Of the Sukcs at the smoky City. and Detroit
managed to escape the rain long enough TO have an
other profitable week. Last year there was com
promise rather understanding, that instead OF
conflicting dates the Grand Circuit calendar Should
have a break in order TO make way for Blue Ribbon
week at Detroit This worked smoothly enough, but
pittsburg felt stronger this season. and once more
decided risk the clash Of dates with the result that
two extensive programmes were conducted hlmul-
taneousy within comparatively short distance oi
each Other and there plenty of horses for both
Detroit had rather the best Of the weather again, as
not a minute Of the five days lost, but even after
waiting "A day Httsburg furnished what the horscmeh
present unite In declaring The most lively meeting
held there.
The fact that not single strong favorite came oil
IS In Itself enough to indicate the character OF tho
sport, and except for some III advised work III the
Judges stand She four days at Ilomewood passed with
out ANYTHING 10 mar the general harmony. 1t seems
to be the fatality OF the amateur judge a. II Is some
times with the professional WELL TO have MS per
ccptions awakened by the suspicion OF dishonesty
when the contest Is really its merits. This Is AZ
unfortunate as when papabe bit of crcokedneSs
passes unnoccd, and the i'll timed interference IS rs
unsatisfactory all around a, the obquty OF VISION III
other ca ses where the public interest needs proec
ton In the recent early summer meeting al iart
ford. Conn. two young drivers were taken out "i'o
afternoon when it apparent that neither OF them
IA will NJ
much like thi, occurred at PittsbuTs when ''uoee
Fisher a favore in one OF the slow classes. was IN
danger of defeat, and his driver well mahhereu
yo>ng trainer from baltimore, was subjected To inc
indignity Of the substitution" rule because nc hai
decided TO try one heat without putting toe weBhS on
the chestnut stallion last resort Every BODY at III
cognant Of the matter should have known that 'hcre
was every inducemen for Mcginness % win and tha'
his conduct In the Suly hitherto had been above uo
average That the change made no difference WAS
sort Of vndiCation but these exhibitions Of mistaken
vigilance work all around not the least risk blht
that of tempting an otherwise honest driver I" JON
the frccbooters since he has been ca>Sed with them
Even an expert NAV err regarding the merits o.
race and the bcStmeanng novice only Increases mo
chances for miscagag. of justice when he Assumes
function for which he Is 50 little fitted
The starting Judge Whether professional or not. Is
generally made the scapecoa for these mistakes, ana
thcr /, 10 doubt that If that official we're confined {"
his legitimate duty Of getting the horses away ne
would fill the place with more satisfaction. some
men who make q business Of starting would about ~
soon see a combination succeed a. remove driver
for they fear they mag grow unpopular ana ic'c '"'
gagements thereby.
II is by no means unusual for an association to re-
ceve notice that II n certain starter Is engaged one or
more trainers will refuse their patronage and thTe
are managers OF driving parks weak-kleeh enough 10
d spease with the services OF comprient ana ~nSV
worthy man on th, account. The opposition is not
~ 10 ont a.
through some application Of the rules that fTus'ates
n plot or varies the amount of profit whether right
fully or wrongfully, and The one professional Judge
must bear the entire Odum.
The Pit,srurg meeting seems 10 have furnished II
striking example Of this for the two mn associated
with the Philadelphia starter, 7. Wood Martin, over
ruled his judgment and held brief reign OF terror
When the PAGER Rebus, worn out from continued nara
fights I'm former weeks did not come oil In the stake
for which he was fdvOHte Odell, who hah Dcal Dnhu
the geldng the first time had to get down. thoush
he and the lost heavily by the failure OF inc
exhausted side wheeler. Even the veterans did NOT
escape and for the third line in his career John
Turner had 10 surrender the reins another at the
command OF those in authority. il was the first ap'
pearance Of ROsaind Wilkes thf season ana the ten
hard battles which She went through last season l"it
their effects that the big mare was Mn ana sore
for The frs: two heats Tuner always prefers 10 CIT
ON the side OF prudence and whore he ltte chance
Of winning does not punish his horse. lie has re-
trlevei the reputation OF than one OF the flyers
Entrusted 70 him IN this way. and there Is little doubt
tlat he would have pulled on victory with KOsahh'
wilkes had he been permitted TO 20 on with her. Johh
splan who had MambrinO Maid In the race and rode
,yhere he had a chance b. See says: There Is not
oue.ilon that Turner would have got the next three
heats and If the driver put In by the Judges had not
80 much Use 0. the mare. sending her along when
she was comfortably ahead, even he could not nave
lost the deciding heat
Leaving aside these unfortunate occurrences 'hat
must be laid at the OF unwse zeal, the second
week Of the Grand Circuit was stirring one, the
amount OF speculation at liomewood being FAR IN
excess Of anything before known there mo
absence OF pOOlrOOms In the city creates II I"iB'r
surplus OF money to De invested on the contests III
harness. and the booksellers could hardly hnudc ue
business which confronted them. Detroit, on the
other hand had fewer Of the fraternity known as the
talent and the character Of the sport was higher III
consequence. There was inducement TO lose, bu'
large premiums awaited the winner, while ue "u'
mirnbe plan Of adding extra 300 for i"St 'hhe
I'm each class certainly helped the speed average
II IS seldom that fourteen contests decided With
out reasonable suspicion Of double dealing ana inc
only possible Instance at Detroit was in the : 80
rot which the first number on the card for 'he
week Here the favorite. Alex c., won easily
enough after losing heat to Duchess and the boast
~ those who controlled the latter that she was not
driven out but could 60 below . 20. was probably
an idle one and not at all crcdtable 10 the wealthy
vouuc breeder who the mare. The one doubt
concerning the ability Of Lees Pilot on the same
d,v was soon dspclled by putting George starr
I.Iind the gray trOter and the Blue Ribbon meeting
nroye, beyond n doubt that the poolbox Is not an
essential 10 honest racing
rbe nest sensational contest of notable week was
Aha icory OF Jack in the free for all for besides show
,ur that the rcdoubtabc geding has all his odtlme
,oluv thc first thorough test Of the pneumatic ufe
md low wheels with ball bearing axle was made In
n. contest Budd DObe Is probably less given TO
exp,4ments than OF the fiisclass drivers but MS
0Nr ,,co, instincts were readily appealed to by this
a., md no little shnre of the credit for jacks