The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-09
NO TROTTING MEETING YET
The Movement for Harness Horse
Racing Here Fruitless.
Hopes Held Out That the Scheme
May BE Brought to Successful
Issue by the Philadelphia the Req
uIsife to Consummate the Project.

A movement that has been on foot for
six months or more, to hold a big trotting
meeting here in the spring, seems to be
doomed to prove fruitless- It is still
hoped, however by the more ardent ad-
nirers of the harness horse that q meet
ing can be arranged for the fall
1t was the purpose Of the leaders in the
movement TO get into the Trotting Asso-
citation and apply for spring dates that
would not conflict with meetings 10 be
held at Philadelphia, Baltimore, or any
other city in this section of country II
was proposed 10 hold a six-day meeting
and offer purses that would aggregate
something like so, go 1t was argued that
such plan would not fan 10 attract own
ers of the very best horses on the turf
and that the enterprise could not fail to
be successful and profitable.
It is understood that the principals in
the movement had their eyes on the Old
Ivy City course, and that II vas here that
it was intended the meeting should be
held 1t was their purpose TO build an
up-to-date miIe-track. irst-class stables.
a grand stand, and all other structures
that go TO make up a modern and high
class racing ground. 1t was estimated
that 1t would cost about $40, coo TO properly
shape things for the first meeting
Considerable enthusiasm was at first ex-
hibited among local horsemen who were
consulted with reference to the advisa-
biuty of putting the scheme into opera
ton, and for time il seemed as though
there would be little difficulty in raising
the money required But finally this en-
thusiasm, so it is said, began 10 wane.
1t become apparent that If a meeting was
held and the original plans carried out, q
very few men interested would have to
put up the required money, and hence
the matter is hanging fire.
Those who conceived the idea Of max
ing Washington 4 trOttin@ and pacing
centre, or trying TO, have not. il Is de
clared, despaired of the hope that they
viii not yet accomplish their desire The
time, It is admitted, when dates for
spring meeting might have been obtain
ed from the association. has been allowed
10 slip by, but the notion is still enter
tanned that efforts 10 bring about organi-
Zation and the raising Of money needed
viii yet be successful, and that 4 big
meeting will result IN the fall.
The last harness horse events seen in
Washington that attracted attention
throughout the country were held at
BenninS nearly ten years ago Liberal
purses were offered and the best known
and most reliable owners attended that
meeting with their stables. The flower
of the trotterS and PAGERS from CaIifOr-
MIA to Maine were on hand, and splendid
sport was had For some reason, how
ever, the advantage gained by this meet
ing was not followed up Then the run
ners took possession of popular opinion,
and since that have reigned supreme But
the friends of the harness horse have con
Stantly lOnged for show for their IA
vOrttes and the present movement is the
outcome of a consuming desire TO rein
state the animal in the good graces of the
hOrse-IOVing people in this locality.