The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-31

Bert sheldon's Owner Taiks-Eehoes of the
Albany Meeting.


George o. Smith. the Orange, N. j.. horse
man. who owns and drives Bert Sheldon. Jr..
| 2:18k. attended the Albany trottlng meeting
!lst week and talked Interestingly to q repre-
sentative Of TIE Bun concerning his ever-gree
campalRner.
Yes" he said. Sheldon has trottod more
races than any horse that ever lived, according
to tho record books. but the books don't show
all that he's done. Lots OF the little meetings
where he has trotted were never reported. 1
could tell you OF half dozen races in one year
that don't appear in the record books at all. 1
never kept account OF his performances. but II
the books show 1876 starts 1t 10 perfectly safe to
say the old horse has answered the bell more
than 200 times. Think what that means; not
less than 800 miles at speed. besides all the
scoring and the fast work he has got in train
ing.
Il have owned him eight years now. and
you can Just say will continue to own him
until he lays down and dies. Why shouldn't
stick to him to the end2 He's been good to
me. has that old horse. Twice since we'va
been pulling together he's won enough money
for me in the pool box Just over one race to
buy house and lot And bought the house
and lot and have got it now. No. sir. I'll never
cast him on"
How much has the old horse won in
purReS Z bmltn was asked
We'll. never kept any account OF his win
nings excepting one year. That came about
in this way: Smith Paddock of Brooklyn Of
fered me $4,000 for Sheldon about four or Ave
years ago. l said. NO: he can win that much
money in purses In one year. And when the
campaign opened l started out TO prove it.
Bert didn't quite do tho trick that season. but he
did win $4.0l2.50. besides what took out Of
the box He cost me $2.95O. you might say.
although don't reckon it that way. You see.
first bought a half interest In the horse for
$3.50. Two years afterward the man who
owned the other half offered to sell for 81 100.
], got into a good betting race not long after
that. played my horse good ana hard. and when
my partner and $3.50 besides.
You want to know how he's rugged. ell
Well. he wears a ten ounce shoe forward and
seven ounces ounces behind and carries Quarter and
him. there isn't anything peculiar. about it.
When tho campaign is over turn him out in
% nd ne Of shs
every winter. Then take him up and begin
paid Judges on the trotting tracks received
something OF q shock up at Albany. according
Island Park engaged professional experts to
place the horses and interpret the rules. wish
ing to avoid the snarls and squabbles which
are so often an accompaniment OF the "prnmi-
nent citizens" work as a Judge OF trottng
races, wel.known cireuit, follower who A.
operations OF the experts;
Nothing worse was ever seen on race
@s to ST HE sT stand
when they get before the Beard Of
called Lizzie Wilkes in the 5:24 racing ei race race
shs won ne nrst two heats; After NE second
they called It NO heat, deolPrlns an
the 4ro pGs n'' 5er %Rsn
they announced that ruling, Tor everybody
knows the judges never had the power 70
on account OF alleged fraud. and That att power
was taken away from them last year by the n.
with Lizzie Wilkes, making three winning
miles for the mare, lots OF horsemen advised
he b1er
OF coming out for the fourth heat under pro-
test: 50 as not to give the Judges chance to
There was ono ruling which believe is
without precedent. and it viii be Interesting to
TIE sag Major kuss hqd the
guess, interfered with some Of the other horses.
AnyhoM he endangered their safety and de;
out OF hs ses 1ssy donS
though. OF course. the rules say that in case OF
collision or interference the party causing it
may be rule d out. The rules don't seem to give
this power to the judges. however. as to the
horse. unless the Interference was intentional
on the, part Of his driver. and there isn't word
in the book covering the case OF a horse that
sinply acts bad IN scoring and .endanters, tho
other starters. It's a nice question OF turf law,
and the ruling OF the board. when made. will
be important.
II have always favored paid Judges" added
the circuit follower. but the fact that man
is paid fer his work doesn't make him an ex.
pert. After ALL the main thing is to- get men
that know horseracing and know the rules.
and that have the back bone to hew to the line.
no matter whose pig gets killed. Such men
are hard to find. particularly when the mana
before the races are tn be called"
The Abbots performance at Cleveland last
week makes him look good deal like the
the campaign Of 1899 When the Hamlin
galdinR moved down Flanagan and ali the
field at Cleveland trotting the last half Of the
so gait. he not only disposed OF the Ken
tuekian; but displayed turn OF speed that has
seldom been eQualed by any trotter in actual
contest. He viii! probably meet both Bingen
and Directum Kelly In the fast class at Glens
Falls two weeks hence; when the question OF
supremacy seema likely to be settled. With
the three great trotters all In good form. tho
race should he one OF the fastest and most i'm
v,Nrfa ~ har