The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-15
uIrH THE HARNESS HORSES.
Two-in-Thre- Heat system Should he the
Lnw-Better Judges Needed.

Inw-Better Judges needed.
In the minds Of the latter day horsemen
aud tho general public the ultimate adoption
OF the two-in three heat system Is only a mat
ter Of short time. The present scheme by
no means accompishcs the result looked for.
but 1t Is the first step toward what will in time
solve the question to the satisfaction Of all
concerned. Many horsemcn express liberal
views on the subject. but the most feasible
amendment was recently suggested bya noted
horseman. He said;
Tho idea Of the twO-n.thrre system Is
thoroughly practical If the scheme can be MP
piled to all races and universally adopted.
or course II is n step backward in one par
truar and that is it encourages the breeding
for extreme speed and sets aside the we'll
defined and long cherished policy OF breeding
for stamina. The system. however. ovcrcomes
the long practiced evil of laying up. it offers
to an owner chance to race more often. and.
above ALL furnishes agreeable ii,nusempnt to
the sport-oving public inclined to the horse.
As tn" present thrcr-tu five system stands.
many times races are called at > o'clock and
darkness prevents the conclusion Of the races.
The public Is kept waiting until dark
or unreasonable hours and actually secs no con-
test ended. Why Because drivers Law W. heats
What we all need is quick. decisive racing.
which the public will patronizc; aud in tmc
the support Of racing will no longer dcvolvc on
the horscm"n andl associations hut hc pa
tronized by the public at the gate. In races the
flclds should be limited to one tier. smaller
purses should be hung up but there should h"
more events. In the end the men racing will
win moro money. thc horses last longer. and
the public will come out to see contests OF this
order"
Several poor decisions by officials at
recent trotting meetings has again stnrt-
oil hn nl hat ,,,t
regularly appointed and paid men should ur-
cupy the stand. at Grand Circuit events at least
An old driver who has seen the business al
every stage. said the other day. "rhr worst
mistake these fellows make is putting n"om-
petent men in the stands, when good. capable
officials can he secured very ca lily. Tn" only
way to do is for the National Association To- ar
point officials in districts and provide small
lee Tor their services. say their expenses. as
there are huudr IDS of horsrmcn who would
gladly assist if they had the opportunity.
1t is proposed by several prominent horse
owners to bring forward at the next meeting
Of the National TrOttinG Association an amend
ment making it obligatory upon the Grand
Circuit members to decline entries OF hopprd
horses. veteran driver in commenting upon
the subject. remarked:
I've been driving race horses all my life and
I'm no springer tell you this hOppcd horse
game is no account. Any old driver can handle
a hopped horse and il takes no knowledge to
train them. Without the straps they re no good
for any use. No sir. the business of houples
makes cheap horses. and worse yet. cheap
drivers would not drive one Of 'cm for any
mans money. I'd rather take no chances with
my life
Tho interest manifested at Buffalo in wagon
races shows fully whore great support can be
derived by associations which conduct meet
ingC. 1t is no eXaggcration to say that there
was as much interest in tho decision Of the
local championships as there was in the great
performance OF Scarch!ight the same day The
fast time made by Volunteer Medium ia also
evidence that the road horse, properly trained
can show speed enough TO interest any one. A
race in ,: l5A 10 wagon is good enough to
merit the attention and support Of any speed
| loving pleasure drivers.
There is a we'll founded rumOr gaining
| credence among horsemen that the next
| Grand Circuit meeting at Buffalo will not be
| held at the Fort Erie running track. 1t is said
| that the old course in the city proper will be
| fixed up. and that Il ten-year lease is about TO
be taken by the Buffalo Driving Club. Matinee
races will be strongly promoted.
Contrary to the impression which has in
some way gone the rounds, John II. Gentry.
2:OO's Joe Patchcn. 2:Ol :. and Scarch,ight,
Dob. will come tog ethcr in the match race
scheduled for the 18th at the Rochester priv
ing Park. Horsemen from all over express
desire to the race. as it will in all probable
ity develop another two-minute PAGER in
Searchlight
"Knap" Mccarthy. speaking Of the race be-
tween Gentry. Patchen and Searchlight. at
Rochester. says: These fellows can believe
I'm beaten before start. but there will he one
Searchght there all the way"