The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-17
Wrrn 4RorrEn AVID PAoER.
Poer Prospects for ruarness Racing In the
Rree-ror-Au Cins. Nrxt Season.

EFec-tof-hu AtnNn Nthh buhaVHs
with Star Pointer, 1894, booked for a season
in tho stud. followed by an exhibition tour;
Robert j., 2:0lis. retired from the turf, and
Frank Agan, 2:0Ia, laid up for repairs, 1t is a
matter of frequent comment among horsemcn
that the outlook for next seasons harness
racing Is not bright, 80 far as the free-forall
PAGERS are concerned. John Il. Gentry. 2:O0lo,
and Joe Patohen, 2:O1lA. arc perhaps the only
sidewheclers in sight that would be entered in
tho open class in tho grand circuit IL a purse
were offered; for tho last two campaigns have
failod TO bring out q single PAGER that
can be classed with tho "nvo kings" on
public form. James A. Murphy, the
owner of Star Pointer, is confident that
he possesses another horse OF froc-for-all calibro
in Guinette, 2:05. and has offered to back his
opinion in n match for $4,000 a side against
any horse in the world, barring Joe Patchen.
Few turfmen can be found who think that the
ambetta-Wil gelding would have more
than a remote chance to beat John r. Gentry in
n race OF heats, with the little red horse in his
best form. Owing to the obvious lack Of pros
pectivo starters tho chances are that no ~free-for-
oil pacing races will be attempted in tho Grand
Circuit next season.
1t is generally believed that nearly all driving
clubs in tho big circuit will follow the lead of
a a.oS cISss Sy o Offering ns q. purse 9rGs 'd for Fl pa aSa MAXINE al fne
lhAo az pbuA 4 Va a. LhSOSAhBo ~ .a''S
division. Such a class would be expected to
bring together horses like Dick Wilson's bay
Dykes brown stallion Frank Bogash. 2:o4h, by
Atlantic King; James A. Murphy,,s bay Eelding
H. Tuthiil's bay mare Lotlie Lorraine, 2:05a. by
Gambetta Wilkes; George Castles gray mare
K Fei Bsila sGse say station 2;ESa, f fia n%ra!E :o4 %il by Bo s:
ME McGregor, and others.
There are two or three young PAGERS in Cali
fornia that may take n hand in tho Eastern
campaign next season. and IL they do the 2:05
class is likely to receive other accessions early
the fouryear-old colt Betonica is another Star
Pointer. This fellow scored a record of 2:l0i2
q public trial in 2:06A without a prompter
superintendent Frank Covey, says he has
pa = li5s sai,l and Of has Is m mosed in an pf eiEstS
in O:l3ie,. a las gait. A Boston horse
man. who is getting together a stable of trot-
ters and PAGERS for the coming campaign, wrote
to the agent OF Mrs. Stanford u few weeks, ago
Ssking what the Palo Alto sensation could be
Betonica is $4,000. His driver says he is posi-
tive that the colt can beat 300" Bctonica is a
moor. 2:2oi2, the son of Electionecr and Mamie
T6; q do Tpn oF Rstonfsa Was NADINE 81 IMP By W WiISIdis
Thoroughbred son Of imp: Australian and
the noted mare Idlewild, by Lexington. His
EFan 1Sird G was NorS M.T Sy MISS MSssen IgSm - 1u CSsr gn1
SGhamplin. 2:21a), by Seeley,,s American Star.
The crack PAGER is thus half thoroughbred.
Free-for-all timber is as hard TO find among
the trotters as it is among the PAGERS. Ever
since 1894 the %trotters have been going back
ward in point of speed. and until last season no
horse on the turf was able to trot a mile within
four seconds of the best time on record. John
Sp!an has recently taken a look at Alex, 2:03A,
out at Red Oak. Ia. and says she looks as
though she had n great chance to beat her
record. Tho fact remains. however, that an I'M
successful attempt has been made to train the
queen. of the turf every year since 1928, and
few horseiuen believe that she will ever
race again. Azotc, 2:04a. and Directum.
2:054, are In about the Same boat. Fan
tasy, COG, has been retired. Klamath, 2:O74,
is thirteen years old. Kentucky Union, 2:07lI.
Penn. 2:O74. the fastest trotter of the year,
could not equal his best record. Beuzetta.
2:06aI. and 0noqva, 2:0s4, the two fast young
mares owned here, accomplished nothing. and
the free-for-all class was altogether disappoint-
ing and commonplace. The outlook for next
season cannot be said to be any brighter. Cir
cult followers generally look upon Pilot Boy,
2:O9l4; Elloree. 2:094; Emily. 2:l1; Tho Monk.
2:OsiA. American Belle. 2:12l4, and Cresceus,
2:lllI, as being about the best ~trotters in sight,
and it is probable that neither of them, unless it
is The Monk. will be compelled TO start in the
free-for-all class.
The Parkway Driving Club Of Brooklyn is the
latest harness racing organization to take action
against the use of hopples. At the annual bust
ness meeting OF the club last week John +. Cor
nell was appointed q committee of one to appear
at the coming congress, of the National Trotting
Association and urge that organization TO pass
n rule doing away with the straps. Sheriff
Frank Dreamer, the new President of the club,
opposed the action, but was outvoted. Tho
Parkway was. probably the first club In the
country to take action against hopples. This
was done two years ago by prohibiting their use
in races on the Brooklyn track.