New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-25
MAJOR DELMAR IS SOLD.
e. T.. SuATHERS BUYS HIN.
Gelding Fails in Trotting against
Record-To Try Again To-day.

S,sctac,iiar features characterized the trottins
meeting the Empire City track yesteruay.
an hour before Frederick Parks's noted horse. Ma
.or Delmar 2Ogs started in an attempt 10 rover
Lou DnIon's record. the announcement was mace
from the judges stand that he had been 500 70
T. E smathers for $4,000. the highest price ever
paid for 2 t7otting geldng.
Horsemen who have looked on NJ orha'he's
merely as a turf plunger, because OF ms he@'E
wagers on races took of their hats ana s"uls
them they Joined in the cheers proposed ior 'ne
new owner OF Major Delnlar. who maze the PuT-
chase primarily TO win a gold cup gwen oy
c K G. Billings tor amateur wagon race at
Memphis, Tenn. TO be trOtted for at the tennessee
track in October. Mr.. SInathers won 1t last year
driving Lord Derby. 2N5@. but TO maze 'he u0iHy
his property he must win it again this year Lord
Derby is not in shape compete for il this sea
son while Mr. Billings has Lou Dillon zoo. and
The Monk, 205a4, to defend it
After btryine Major Delmar yesterday Mr.
srnathers said TO a reporter Of The Tribune that
he intended to enter both his trotter and also
Billy Buck 2.O7l4, In the wagon race at Memphis.
IF Mr. Billings starts Lou Dillon will start ia
jor Delmar," he added
As Major Demar can find no turf engagements
save exhibitions against time. and there is no
chance for Mr.. Smathers to get his money back.
his purchase OF the horse for so large sum,
purely for sport, regarded by horsemen at the
track as being highly praiseworthy.
Weather conditions were all against Major Del
mar in his trial Of speed yesterday. On the high
plateau where the track is situated the wind blew
half a gale and the weather was so cold that over
coats were worn in comfort midday. George
Spear, who trains for Mr.. Smathers drove the
runner in front the trotter and kept him so close
that the protection afforded by the wind shield was
even more perfect than when Prince Alert set the
pacing record at 1:57.
At O'Clock A. 7. Mcdonald brought out the
great trotter and the start promptly made.
Major Delrnar trotted around the turn the quar-
ter pole in O:3es. and TO the half in O:593..
trotting the second quarter at & SO clip. second
runner joined in the near the half mile pole,
and the trio swept around the upper turn closely
punched at terrific speed
Twenty yards before the three-quarter pole was
reached Major Delmar suddenly broke. and OF
course the Jig was up. Before Mcdonald could get
him on his stride again ne had lost the race beyond
recovery. Spear pulled the runner to the OUTSIDE
Of the track and stopped him, while Major Delmar
came on alone and finished the mile in $50. his
time at the three-quarteTs was 1874, and he
seemed the point of breaking the record When
the break was MADE Mcdonald said IL was caused
By the horse having hit the arch OF the sulky with
first time II had been specially built 10 set low,
in order let the driver down behind MS morse,
where the atmospheric resistance would he reduced
a minimum.
Delmar again after q rest Of thirty minutes, but
Mr. Smsthers persuaded him to defer the second
trial until to-day With fair weather and AIR luck
this Afternoon the horse should trot in l59 or there
sbouts. according 10 the opinions OF expert hcTSe-
Annie Litteu another Speedway trotter. went TO
the front yesterday in the principal race OF the day
She sold in the field and defeated the others very
handily IN 2l2lz and 2:2,z Direct view was me
favoTite. The results;
Ok