The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-26
Buys aThe ROman,' a Sensa-
tionaI California Stopper.
A NEW TROTTING STAR
Isa Three Year-Old Gelding and
Wisely Bred.
Won Every Heat He Started in
During Last Season.

Chicago, Dec. 26.-The latest addition
10 the list of young trotters that are
booking contracts to chop few seconds
on The Abbott's record is a California
bred wonder called The Roman. So
many marvellous stories Of The Roman
speed have reached the east this fail
that several wealthy owners have plan
ned to go out and look at him this win
ter, but that shrewd horseman, Dick
Benson OF Kansas City, stole marcn
on them all last week by SnpplnS out
TO the coast and buying the horse Tor
his employer, c. c. Christie OF Kansas
City Mo. All the tales that have been
printed about The Roman have been
accompanied by the statement that his
owner held him at $4,000, but those who
know Benson best say that it is hardly
probable that he paid more than So'OOO
for him.
The Roman is a 3-year-old gelding
and was bred for a. highfiyer- His sire
was the famous horse Mckinney, IN
ouestfonably the greatest young sire OF
extreme speed living, and his dam was
the fast trotting Wanda, 2:i4sz, by Eros.
They say that The Roman was very
fast colt right from the time that ne
first felt the harness, and he mad SO
much natural speed that the trainer had
nothing to do but condition him to carry
It. As q 2-year-Old he was used on a
milk wagon, and, although twas known
that he had speed, he was not turned
over to the trainer until he was a B.
year-old, last spring. The trainer was
one Ed Lafferty of Pleasanton, and as
soon as he gave the horse his head for
a little ways he pronounced him good
enough to win in any class
Wanda, his dam. always had more
speed than she could carry and had the
reputation of being a trifie soft, so Laf-
ferty decided to work The Roman very
carefully and never ask him to step a
mile until he was thoroughly seasoned.
The only fast mile he got in his work
prior to his races was one in 2.1f, and
although he was driven several halves
around 1907, he Was never fully extended
except for an occasional eighth at the
end of mile. He won every heat that
he started in during the year, with the
exception Of the first heat in the Occi-
dent stake. when he was sent away on
a break and was distanced, although he
trotted the middle half of the heat in
] OS. In his other races he met nothing
that could make him jog better than his
record. 2:1Sz. but was driven several
exhibition miles late in the season that
gave the public some idea of what a
truly great trotter he was At San Jose
he trOtted an exhibition mile in 2:12, and
would have beaten 2:10 If Lafferty had
not taken him back on the stretch. 1t
was his former owners intention to send
the colt to that master reinSman Ed
Geers, driver Of The Abbott. as Geers
had written in response to an inquiry
that he might be able to handle The
Roman, but would not know for certain
until after the New York sale. An hour
before Benson called on the owner to
purchase the gelding the latter had re-
ceived another letter from Geers in
which he stated that the Village Farm
would have three horses in it's string
next year eligible to the PIG class, and
1t would therefore be impossible for him
to take another Had Mr.. Geers been
willing to campaign the colt the price
on him would have remained at $4,000.