Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-08
THEY AREALLHERE
Horses Are Coming Thick and
Fast
FOR THE GREAT MEETING
Nancy Hanks. Delmareh. Jacks. Charles
ton Are AZ the Track and Others
Are Coming Today.

and helpers were rushing about in con-
fusion or rubbing down the horses.
Thousands of persons visited the place
yesterday afternoon and the remarks
made by the unsophisticated caused
the knowing ones to smile.
Strings of horses are being received
daily are being worked for the coming
meet, which according to sll expecta-
tions will be good one. The mongrel
horses which were driven around yes
terday, picked up their ears aud
pranced with envy a. they observed the
palatial quarters IN which their blue
blOoded cousins were stabbed. Grooms
were busy attending their favorites,
taking rest occasionally to match
dollars with the grooms of rival stables.
On entering the grounds the visitors
naturally inquire for Nancy Hanks
and make their way to the stables of
the Doble string to catch glimpse Of
the flyers. Nancy wasn't receiving
callers yesterday; but nevertheless
stood blanketed in her stall and gazed
with look of well bred curiosity at
the hundreds OF visitors. In the next
box to Nancy Hanks 10 seen the gray
nose of Jacks; Prima Donua VINO is en-
tered In the 2:40 trot is also here. Fred
s. 2-year-old, by Fairlawn Medium,
half brother of Nancy Hanks is one Of
the most promising 2.year-olds at the
track. He is being worked at present
witr the hope of making pure gated
trotter out of HIM. He Is half gated.
but his owner is working him down
fast.
Trio OF Flyers.
Over in the west line of stalls are
Charleston whom many pick for win
ner in the stallion rrce. Labasco and
Delmarch. McHenry's stations are also
Quartered.
Laba sco is the horse that pushed Al
lerton to 2:l3A at Davenport last week
and he is one of the favorites of the
visitors. He shares fiattering COM
ments with Delmarch who Is not in
shape to be started. Bonny McGregor
with q mark of 2:20 is also here, but
will not be started.
Don J. Leathers has been on the
track early and late for the past week
personally instructing groups OF men
at work there getting the tracks into
condition and keeping a weather eye
on Monbars. who is IN excellent condi-
ton. Recently he went three heats in
2:23, 2:22a and 2:2l4 without being
urged or making hitch.
When Frank B. Walker of Indian
apolis rings the gong Wednesday thous-
ands of eyes will stretch up the track
| to catch 4 GLIMPSE of Direct, 2:06 q nd
Hal Pointer, 2:08i, the matchless
PAGERS that will set the ball in motion
hv their sprint for 5000. In Satur-
days bout at Buffalo Ha! Pointer not
only beat Direct but lowered the
| record for any heat ever paced or trOt-
| ted in q race. This fact will lend new
| impetuous to the race here and it is
safe to say that it will be a horse race
| from the word ''go." It il doubtless
| il either ever went at q merrier clip
than they will here.
The hotels were crowded with horse
men all day yesterday and "hoss talk"
first, last and always was the program.
| The Furniture City meeting and its
possibilities were the chief topics of
| conversation. and all seemed to be of
the opinion that the Hal Pointer-Di-
rect race would be even more bitterly
| fought than the one at Buffalo. 1t
now stands race apiece and the ac-
tual winner is yet to be decided.
| Prominent Horsemen.
| Among the most prominent arrivals
were w. Z. Jones of Columbia, Tenn,
and Merrill. the owner of Alvin. the
Canadian stallion, with record of
2:14R.
Mr.. Jones is president Of the Colum-
bia Driving Park association, IS owner
| of the grounds there and also the
owner of q string of fast ones. He
comes from south of the Mason and
Dixon's line and wore the grav during
the late war. He and Don ]. Leathers,
| who some years ago were shooting at
each other. being in the same part Of
the country during the war. sho *
hands and told stories of by-gone
times.
In conversing with a reporter for
Tus HERALD Mr.. Jones said: "I have
three horses entered in the races. Erec-
tor, by Director. Will compete IN the
three minute trot. Phvliss Wilkes is
entered in the $50 pace and Erector is
again entered in the 2:40 tfot. ar.
rived only last night and have hardly
had a fair chance 10 inspect the
grounds. From what have seen of
them think the Cometock track and
buildings are excellent. haven't used
tho track yet, but everything around
the park seems 10 be firet-class. Your
buildings here seem much better and
more substantial than ours. I have
been sick since came here and haven't
had a chance TO work my horses on tie
track, but il seems to he q good one."
Mr.. Merritt the Canadian horse
owner was stsnding on the sidewalk IN
| front of the hotel convers,pg with
friends when the reporter approached
him. "Nant me to pix n winner IT
the stallion race do von7 Well I've got
istied with 4 slice OF the purse myself.
Charleston is n Flyer.
I believe that Charleston IL a hard
one to h NJ although Lahasco is won
derfuliv fast horse and HE performance
At Davenport was great one. As
said before II ! get slice OF il | shal
be satisfied. You know If we are ther.
and get the word sgo' We csn draw out
our en,rspce money and ! want 20 ge
that hack at east and Mr.. MERIT gave
civ wink. 81 iust got into your cit,
aud haven't bad time TO see much n
tvet. What hare seen inapresses ms
| verv fsvorabiv. Haveu't bsen t. ths
track vet hut from al accounts of ~,
| gg1ess Il is good one. Am gong on
| IN tie grounds in the morning and hops
70 see a e,sf track as have been ies
20 exnect' and Mr. Merritt ssnnterec
awav WITH ms contingent az horseFnen
Rndd pobse. PROBABLY the nsest n
rneFs horsrnssn IN the country. wa
expected 10 arrlve isst nsest. hat va
I hetave<f ard will 10 here thss morning