The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-08

and an advance of full second made ovcr
i5 by both Nancy Hanks and Mascot with
IN four months from the date when the BIZ
cycle sulky WAS first tried in public.
Other skcptics regarding the feasibility
of the record at either gait being placed at
two minutes arr now forced TO acknowl-
edge that this cTowning feat Is likely to be
seen before the cloSr of the century, and
the New York Times declares that tho
more sanguinc spirits are hopeful that tho
hitherto unapproachablc goal will be
reached during the present season.
In selecting the most likely candidates
for this great honor the trottnrs must DO
rejected. Not Alix herself or any of tho
younger stars that give promise of reach
ing high place In the armament that
bounds the diagonal gait have even re-
mote chance to improve the present speed
limit at tho trot Gy the 39l seconds that
stand between it and oven time. Monroe
Salisbury will be satisfied if his famous
proteScc gets down Ia 9:o2 In her 7-ycar-old
form She has not mado /; vury brilliant
beginning, though her milo in 2:07sl mt
st. Joseph is considerably faster than sho
could 90 during the first week in July last
season.
The apprehension that Alix was Oh the
verge of breakdown when She mntc her
debut mt Red Oak last month is not shared
by Salisbury or his trainer Mcdowell.
Both admit that the mare was treated be-
fore sho loft California, the process known
us "dotting" being employed. They stout
~ aver that there was no serious trouble,
the needle being used merely to take down
the swelling that is found about the ankles
of almost every horse that has been in
training for any length of time. 1t is fur
ther explained that AliX has not had suni-
cicnt work to enable her to carry her
speed ms shown ut Rcd Oak, where sho
stepped tho first quarter in 3Ol., but
could only do the mile in 2:ll. AS tho
season advances those who have charge of
the trotting champion arc confident that
she will improve and he able to hold her
own against all Corners.
The challenge issued on behalf of the
queen for II match with any other trottcr
UP TO s., 900 "a side was doubtless sent out
To show that the marc is ready to defend
her title in spite of the reports that she is
lame or sore.
There arc two other trottcrs whose form
entities them to be considered in u contest
with Alix. OF these Dircctum has meas
urcd swords with her on .wo occasions,
the first tine late In 1898, when he was at
his best, and she had been practically out
OF training for IL month. The race which
was really n hippodromc, came off at Fleet
wood park. New York, and merely showed
how u trottcr Of the highest class like
AliX, when out of condition, can DC made
to look very cheap beside one TINT was up
10 the form Dlrcctum had reached after his
brilliant campaign in the south and west
On tho renewal of tho rivalry last October
at Boston the conditions were reversed
and ii was the black giants armor that
proved SO vulnerable. AS both of these
cracks seem to be doing we'll at present, %
third meeting between them should result
III faircr test of their respective merits
than has yet been obtained Dircctuin has
already tro!tcd in 200 and seems approach
Ing his 1898 form. His owners have offered
to trot him against the turf queen for
So, 900 n side
[. j. Han.lin gives no sign that he
thinks Fantasy equal to trying conclusions
with the present mistress of the sillky
After her victory over Dircctum ut Mime