The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-05


md an advance of a full second made over
Il by both Nancy Hanks and Mascot with
I'm four months from the date when the bi-
cycle sulSy was first tried in public.
Other skeptics regarding the feasibility
of the record at either gait being placed at
two minutes are now forced to acknowl-
edge that this crowning feat Is likely 10 be
seen before the close of the century, and
the New York Times declares that the
more sanguine spirits are hopeful that the
hitherto unapproachable goal will be
reached during the present season.
In selecting the most likely candidates
for this great honor the trotters must be
rejected. Not Alix herself or any Of the
younger stars that give promise of reach
ing a high place in the armament that
bounds the diagonal gait have even n re-
mote chance to improve the present speed
limit at the trot by the 3s4 seconds that
stand between it and even time. Monroe
Salisbury will be satisfied II his famous
protegoo gets down Go 2:02 in her 7-yoar-old
form. She has not made very brilliant
beginning, though her milo In 2:07A at
ST. Joseph is considerably faster than she
could go during the first week In July last
season.
The apprehension that Alix was on the
verge of breakdown when she made her
debut at Red Oak last month is not shared
by Salisbury or his trainer, Mcdowell
Both admit that the mare was treated be-
fore she left California, tho process known
as "dotting'' being employed. They stout
ly 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. IL Is fur
ther explained that Alix has not had suif-
cient work to enable her 10 carry her
| speed as shown at Red Oak, where she
stepped the first quarter in 30H, but
| could only do the mile in 2:1l. AS the
| season advances those who have charge of
| the trotting champion are confident that
| she will improve and be able TO hold her
| own against all corners.
The challenge issued on behalf of the
| queen for a match with any other trotter
up to 81, 600 "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 trotters whose form
entities them TO be considered in contest
with Alix. OF these Directum has meas
ured swords with her on two occasions,
the FIRST time late in 1893, when he was at
his best and she had been practically out
of training for month. The race, which
was really a hippodrome, camo off at Fleet.
wood park, New York, and merely showed
how trottcr of the highest class like
Alix, when out of condition, can be made
to look very cheap beside one that was up
TO the form Directum had reached after his
brilliant campaign in the south and west.
On the renewal cf the rivalry last October
I 81. cod
and 1t was the blac!; giants armor that
proved so vulnerable. AS both Of these
cracks seem Co be doing well at present, a
third meeting between them should result
in "A fairer test of their respective merits
than has yet been obtained. Directum has
already trottcd in 2:o6 and seems approach
ing his 1898 form. His owners have offered
To trot him against the turf queen fcl
So, 900 n side.
G. j. Hamlin gives no sign that h'
thinks Fantasy equal TO trying conclusion:
with the present mistress of the sulky
After her victory over Directum at Mime
apons greaSer Things were expected lrOh
the mare that has tho record for age a
both and years. She fell compare
lively easy victim 20 Azote at la Crosse
though the big qelding had 10 lower TIT
record for unscxed trottors In the frs
heat. Judged by the test OF race ability
the pride of Buffalo has not yet done any
thing which would warrant her owner II
pitting her against Alx for money con
sideratlon, IL the latter Is in the form sh
carried last year
Among the newer stars OF the trottinI
turf are William Penn, the brown stallio
by Santa Claus and Klamath, tn, Cali
fornia eeldinr Nv M0rookus. Penn Is ZOO