The Portland daily press., 1893-02-25


parations for the Completion of Rugby
Park Fully Made for a Great Opening in
June.
j. Scott Jordon of Cape Elizabeth has
sold his fast bay mare Dolly H. to Thos.
O'Neil of this city. Dolly took record
of 2253 in hard fought race that she
won at Saugas, near Boston, last season.
She is wonderfully speedy mare and
still young.
Mr.. Ira P. Woodbury., the well known
Portland driver and trainer has recently
returned from tour to the eastward.
He reports great activity among the
horse breeders in the sections visited
and a strong interest among the prom
1nent ones in the new Griffin built regula-
ton mile track-the Rugby-near this
city, and many of them will send their
horses here for work and education for
the campaign of 9S which was never
more full of promise TO Maine bred
horses.
At Waterville Mr.. c. Fl. Nelson is Civ
ing close personal application to his
Maine stallion Nelson who will have
every parlor track and every stake or
purse in the champion stallion class
open to him this year in splendid winter
trim, but Dictator Chief is in great form
and very fast work is confidently ex-
pected from him this season. The horse
Nelson is in such form and spirit that
some of his admirers predict for him
record equal to the phenomenal trotting
time of Nancy Hanks last year 204, but
his owner would be satisfied if he could
eclipse Stamboul's or Kremlin's records
last year by mile in about POI or UNI
der.
The fast horse Harry Wilkes, formerly
St. Lawrence, will be with G. H. Nelson
this year.
Appleton Webb is wintering
splendid stable at Waterville, among
them number of fast Nelson colts. One
from Maggie Mitchell with a two year
old record of 2.201.
At SISowhegan M. T. Pooler has a
stable Of thirty-five rare specimens of
finely bred Maine horses. In this lot are
Also with 2204 on the half mile track
at Topsham; Gallon with 2.22a in fifth
heat at Mystic last year. Some of the
Also colts are of great promise for
youngsters, particularly More-So. Mr..
Pooler's stable, about half a mile from
the centre of the city of Waterville, in
one of the most modern in the country.
1t has every known convenience for
equine health and comfort and in
lighted throughout by the incandescent
electric system, thus avoiding so much
danger from the ordinary method. His
horses for the campaign of '93 come to
Portland early in June, as do also Mel
sons and numerous others, some at an
earlier date.
Mr.. Pillsbury, of the Maine Central
railroad, is the possessor of one of the
best and most promising horses in
Maine. Louis p with a mark of 2.239.
Louis P. was by Pickering, own son Of
Rysdyck's Hambletonian and the only
surviving one in Maine now that Gideon
has gone. Pickering is still with us1and
in paternity the peer of Geo. Wilkes,
Electioneer and other of the great
Rysdyck's Hambletonian family. There
is little trouble about good blood in
Maine and with such progressive
breeders as we have today it will not be
surprising to see Maine stand first in
stead of only third in the great fine
horse producing commonwealth of all
the United States.
1t is probable that Ira Woodbury., who
drove Mr.. Pooler's horses SO successfully
last year will steer them this season in
all important races if he does not take
in hand Mr.. Pooler's entire string.
Just as soon as the snow departs and
the frost leaves the ground the work for
the completion of Rugby Park-our new
mile track-will begin. The course is
already entirely graded under the per-
sonal direction of the famous fast track
| builder, Seth Griffin and only awaits the
| finishing touches after its first winters
experience with the frost-and it has had
good one to begin with. The lumber
for fencing, stables, etc., has all been
purchased and large portion of it is al
ready in Portland. This came from the
White Mountain section, the posts
for fencing being of an extra
length, IA feet high, had to be cut by
special contract which was taken by
Aroostook parties and are now being
gotten out to the number of some
| thousands. The club and individual
stables have been contracted for and
everything promises brighton brilliant
opening of Seth Grifin's pride, Rugby
Park, during the month of June. The
Maine Mile Track Association are keenly
alive to having a great meeting for the
opening as are also Maine horsemen
generally. The Boston 6 Maine railroad
I n