Evening star., 1898-07-16
/ LOCAL RACING CHAT

1t Is expected that before the end of the
season there will be half a dozen or more
gcod middle-distance match events held in
this city, at which many of tho cracks of
the country will be in attendance. AS it
Is now, several events are on the schedule.
The first will occur next week, at which
Joe Vernier, the Philadelphian, will APPEAR
While at present he g scheduled to race
Schade, the name might be changed, and
CCunselman may be selected to race
against him. Following this race will come
Jimmie Michael His appearance in this
city the week following the above mention
ed race IS almost certainty, according to
the statement of the management of the
park track. After this Cfssac, Jay Eaten
and some of the other leading lights will
be brought over and pitted against one of
the local men. According to the present
plan, middle-distance event is likely to
be feature at almost every one of the
following weekly meets.
Counseiman Is riding strong and Is Slow
Ing up in excellent condition. He has shown
wonderful improvement in his condition,
ana Is able to reel off mile after mile at n
tWc-minute or less clip. He has been able
TO follow the hottest place that the local
riders can give him, and that is saving a
good deal He feels certain that he can
II accomplished, would place him among
the crack riders of the country in the mid
dle-distance class. In recent attempt at
the park track he rode four miles in the
1ast time or Ia which is on an average of
mile in 1.4S1a. He is anxious to gel ont
on the track in some match events Just to
show what he can do, and Manager Jose
OF the Eclipse team promises to give him
an Oh the chance necessary in very short
time
In the current bulletin Of tho chairman
of the racing board. the registration num-
bers of Fred Schade and E. L. Wilson as
professional riders are given. Schade will
De known as 163, while Wilson is to be
known as 164- 1t cost each rider exactly
- TO be thus registered.
A Virginia circuit will shortly be started
on whlch all of the local professional riders
are expected to compete. The Eclipse team
VIII De sent as a whole, contesting for
IreSh honors and glory. Tne arrangement
Ior the circuit is now heiag made by Mr.
jose the team manager. 1t Is proposed to
go up In the valley and surprise the people
IN the Shenandoah region. Charlestown
winchester, Harrisonburg and Staunton
VIII be covered. In the first two named
PAGES there Is a half-mile track, and in
the last two there are ouarter-mlle tracks
all dirt courses. From Staunton a iump
VIII be made to Roanoke, Richmond. Pc
tersburg and Norfolk at each of which
places there is malf-mile path. A meet
on July 80, at Richmond, viii be attended
by number of local men,
IL the Virginia circuit proves to be a
success from racing point of view the
circuit will be extended, almost down to
the gulf. Greensboro and Charlotte, N. c.
viii be visited, will also Rock Hill and
1orkville, S. c., and Atlanta Ca Possibly
Jacksonville and one two other cities in
fioFloa Will be included, and also Mobile
har rlla f,,
eLce on the subject is now going on, and
SO far the plan is progressing smoothly
ne local riders will carry with them a
fuu supply OF pacing machines and other
necessary paraphernalia, and will ba Rona
probably a full month, not longer When
the start will be made depends entirely
upon the completion of all ARRANGEMENTS
and this Is expected TO be dons by the lat
Ter part OF this month. A race meet Is
scheduled at Atlanta, Ga, for next Tues
day, and as this is the home of Bob Wal
thcur, he will most likely be sent Gown.
with several companions, to participate in
the professional events
Just at present the Eclipse team has
plenty OF pacing machines. In fact there
are more machines than there are riders to
operate them. The pacing outfit consists
or three triplets, one quad and three or
four tandems. 1t is likely that this NAV
De increased by the purchase Of uuint
In speaking of the race meet Tuesday at
baltimore regarding the one-mils pro-
fessional handicap, w. c. Watkins, the
state handicapper. said the racing made
MN think he was suffering from paresis
He had handicapped the men most in.elli-
glDiy, but the results were curious. Robert
Walthour, who has been riding miles and
winning in POI As, could not qualify In
2l3 As. III. R. Steenson, who has been
riding in POI, failed to qualify in a heat
a, a., ne dld not ride the mile better than 2.33.
Inc race was run. IN four heats. In the
hrst heat Schade, with five seconds handi-
cap. failed to qualify. In the second heat
bco. Walthour, scratch man; A. c. Moran
fcur seconds. and Charles Cause. nine sec
ords. also failed to get placed. Fred Sims
ana ii. r. Steenson. who were scratch men
IN the third heat, suffered liks fate. No
local men rode in the fourth heat
According to the announcement in .he
LEGAL pacing crews, Harry Greer will be
utilized as steersman on the quad, a posi-
ton requiring many qualifications Schade
Will steer one of the trfplets, while a second
tripiet will be steered by Wilson The
name of the steersman for the third trip
LAT haE lAf haor