The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-06
standard. Total number.

In 1898 new standard performers en-
tered the list. OF which 1908 were trot-
tcrs and 562 PAGERS. In 1902 2034 took
standard records. Of which 925 were tro..-
tcrs and iii PAGERS. This shows loss
OF 6s for the trotters and a gain Of
b49 for the PAGERS, while both combined
show n loss OF 1856
At first thought IL would appear that
the trotter is being bred out, as was
presaged by the well known breeder,
Gen. Tracy. number OF years ago.
II Is doubtful. however, If larger per-
centage OF harness horses that are now
being bred show tendency TO the pac-
ing gait than did those OF 10 years ago.
The increase i'm the percentage of
PAGERS. as compared 10 the trotters Is
due 10 the fact that their claims to
popula ritv have been recognized by rae
ing associations In the old days hardly
more than one pacing class would be
given, while now, even at grand circuit
tracks. the classes are about evenly
divided between the two gaits.
Again. owners and trainers have found
that the speed Of their horyes can be
more quickly turned into money at the
pace than at the trot. as the PAGER de-
vclops speed faster than the trotter
Another thing that has helped 10 bring
about the present state OF affairs Is
that nuisance. the mixed race Many of
programme with mixed events. trot-
ter has almost no chance in race
against a lot Of hoppled PAGERS unless
ne greatly outclasses them In speed,
particularly on a half-mile track.
The half mile tracks act as feeders TO
the big meetings and the result Is that,
when one of these half-mile track horses
develops grand circuit FORM, III Is AT 'he
pacing gait
Track secretaries find that pacing class
es fiji better than trotting events with
the result that more classes and larger
purses are being hung up for the PAGERS.
Another explanation OF the fact that
the number Of new trotters fell of from
le0S in 1898 10 923 In 1902 is that few breed
srs and owners mark their horses against
time A record just inside the 2;S0 list does
not add TO the value OF "A trotter or to
.he reputation OF his sire and dam, 10
anywhere near the extent that It did 10
years ago. Unless their youngsters prom
Ase to develop extreme speed, breeders
and owners nov, retire them unmarked 10
the breeding ranks or sell them to go on
the road.
There is not the least doubt that the
percentage OF horses trained that have
developed mile-track form is now much
greater than IL was 10 years ago, and
more really good horses are developed
now than ever before.
Another reason why the trotting associa-
tions are not receiving az large entries as
formerly is that so many OF the best
horses are being used on the road and al
the matinees. Amateur horsemen, like G.
X O. Billings and others, who do not
hesitate TO pay almost any price for the
best, are becoming quite numerous, and
then, too, there is the foreign demand
which unfortunately for those who dis
like the PAGER. Is almost entirely confin
ed 70 the trotting horse. All OF this look:
like good times ahead for the breeders OF
light harness horses.
Ed. Geers says that the 2-year-old coli
by Direct Hal (2:0ii.), out OF Lady Of tn,
Manor (2:04 J. is the best OF the age h'
has ever trained and that he would
rather own him than any horse I'm the
world. The Direct Hal colt out Of Ella
brown has been mile I'm 2:a. las
quarter I'm 23 seconds. II II said large
percentage OF the get OF Direct Hal are
natural trottere.
Geers is giving Metalias CID miles
faster than 2.30.
The 4-year-old gclding Travelesso. b,
Direct Hal C2:Oii4). out OF daughter o
Candidate C2:26ia). Is a trotter, and Will b,
raced this season by I'll Geers
The 4-year- old hly. Miss Georgia, bl
Mckinney (21iA), out or Georgia Il
212 }, by Nutwood Wilkes Gl6l9), re
Gently paced a half In l:o21k at Pleasan
ton Cal