The Yale expositor., 1899-06-30
CHAMPIONS FOR BLUE RIBBON WEEK.

1t is almost as good as going to the
races to visit the grounds of the De-
troit Driving Club just now. There
are more fast trotters and PAGERS oc-
cupying the spacious stalls at this
famous track than any point where
the light harness steppers are being
worked. Foremost among the flyers is
John r.. Gentry, the Kansas bred whirl-
wind, now owned by L. III. Hartman,
the New York railway magnate, who
has just organized, equipped and paid
for an extensive expedition to Alaska.
His trainer w. j. Andrews, made a
worlds record in 1896, with Gentry,
when he placed the high water mark
for speed to sulky at 200 Is, closer to
the coveted two minutes than any
horse had ever gone before. Since
then Star Pointer has carried off the
championship. by his mile in 80 a,
but believing that his gallant "red
pony" is still the fastest horse living,
Andrews will try to regain the laurel
with him this year. He selected the
course at Crosse Point for the final
preparation, believing it to be the
finest training ground in the country.
Since coming to Detroit the candidate
for the pacing crown has made marvel
lous progress, reeling off quarters and
halves at a rate considerably below
two minutes. His best mile so far is
205, but so we'll within himself, that he
can come very close TO the present
record, even at this early period.
Gentry will be one of the attractions
of the Blue Ribbon Meeting, which
starts off the Grand Circuit, and oc-
cupies the week from July 1921. He
will be ready TO meet all corners on the
Detroit track, but it is doubtful
whether any of the cracks could give
him race by that time. star Pointer
and Joe Patchen are fighting shy of
their swift foeman so far, but if they
can be got ready, there is q chance for
a battle between these giants during
the latter part of the week. These are
not the only celebrities that will con-
tribute TO the splendid program of the
Blue Ribbon meeting. Besides the big
field of nimble trotters engaged in the
Merchants and Manufacturers Stake
of $4,000, and the galaxy of star
PAGERS that will contend for the honors
in the Chamber of Commerce Stake of
$1,000, there are classes for the more
matured campaigners that will bring
together the record breakers of last
year. The champion two-year-old
trotting filly of 1897, jamie T., is one of
the recent arrivals, and in the same
stable with her is Mary Celeste, the
fastest two-year-old trotter of last
season. From Ohio comes the light
ming PAGER, Ananias, who has already
scored 206 "a, and is expected to i'm
prove that considerably this year.
Hal. b., a relative of Star Pointer, is
another flyer from the Buckeye State
and every section of the Republic will
be represented when the great carnival
of speed is on at the City of the
Straits. The transit facilities are
better than ever this year, for
all the railroads leading to Detroit
have agreed to extend the excursion
tickets at one fare, so that they are
good up to the end of the week. Those
who intend to take advantage of this
cheap rate and patronize the Blue
Ribbon meeting, can procure tickets
during Monday or Tuesday, July 18th
and 18th, good to return until Satur-
day, July 22d.