The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-11-20
DRIVERS NOT NEEDED.
Marion Mills tho Pacing Wonder

Marion Mills, 2:211, the pacing
mare that has attracted so much at
tention as "the guideless wonder"
is thus described in the New York
Times:
Marion Mills is the wonderful
pacing mare which is just now at
tracing widespread attention among
horsemen and horse-lovers. Marion
Mills PAGES under regular race track
conditions, insofar as it is possible,
without bike, driver, or prompting
of any kind. She is revelation to
followers of turf and is enthusiastic-
ally received by the public wherever
exhibited. 1t is not merely the fact
that she "goes alone" that renders
her a marvel. Her almost human
intelligence and the hearty thor
oughness with which she enters into
the sport-for such it seems to her
are important factors in the above
result and must, with her natural
beauty of form and gait, be taken
into consideration in reading OF her
success in her present novel role.
Marion Mills is a handsome light
bay; stands trife over fifteen and
oue-half hands and weighs 900
pounds. She was sired by Henry
Mills, he by Milwaukee, and he by
Hambletonian 10. Her dam was
Nellie by Joe Bassett, sire of the
famous PAGER Johnston, whose rec
ord was 2064. Thus, it will be seen,
she comes from fast strain of
pacing stock and is naturally en-
titled to the great speed honors al
ready attained. But, as before indi-
Gated, it is not the speed nor the
mere performance that excites the
wonder and admiration of the spec
tators-it is the mares intelligence.
Before essaying her present feat
Marion Mills had pacing record of
2:2l4. She was an exceedingly nerv-
Gus but knowing horse.
A few months ago after the open
ing of the present season, Mr.. Ath-
earn conceived the idea of having
her go alone. He took her to the
race track in this city for trial;
and, strange to say, the first mile
was travelled in a manner which con-
vinced her owner that his purpose
would not he an impossible accom-
plishment. In each subsequent trial
she improved in speed and smooth
ness of performance.
The exhibition is simpler in detail
than would be supposed by those
who have not witnessed it. There
is no pacemaker, no guiding, no
whipping, no urging, no interference
or prompting Of the mare in any
way. She "knows her lines" and
goes through them without falter-
ing and with the utmost condolences
in her own knowledge and ability.
She started one hundred yards from
the wire and is in perfect action
when she receives the word ego"
from the starter in the judges
stand. On getting the word she
quickens her speed and around the
track she goes as though running
away. She keeps close to the inner
edge, though she never leaves the
track, whether it be enclosed or not.
She PAGES every mile without a
break and as evenly as though han
died by a skillful driver. The nov
city of the performance and the
facility displayed win admiration
everywhere, and the finish is always
attended with enthusiasm. A nota-
BILE feature is that the last quarter
is always the best, and no demon
stration from the grand stand ever
makes her break or even slow up.
After passing the wire she appears
to know that her work is done and
her bright eyes search the track for
the groom, who stands ready with
cooling blankets short distance up
the stretch, When blanketed she is
returned to the starter for recogni-