New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-09
SPORT ON THE SPEEDWAY.
Strings of Billings and Smathers in
Fast Brushes.

More famous harness horses were in sight on the
upper stretch of the Speedway yesterday morning
than have been seen there at any other time since
the drive opened. in 1895 E. E Smathers and
c. K. G. Billings contributed most of the equine
celebrities the former driving in succession Major
Delmar. 2:Ol14; Doctor Strong. 2:08. Ida Highwood
209h, Queen Wilkes. 2:10l., and the PAGERS John NJ
2Cea. and Sphinx g.. 2:061a who the horses from
Mr.. Billings's stable included The Monk 2:O5s and
Equity. 2sa. that together hold the worlds record
for trotting teams; Prince Direct. 2:O7 and Morning
Star, 2o4$, that passed mile in 2051a to pole at
Memphis few weeks ago: Angus Pointer. 2O6;
Greenlne, 207. and Hontas Crooke 2:o7 former
Mayor Hugh J. Grant driving the latter horse
Among many other fast ones in evidence were
George D. Sherman's handsome little chestnut
PAGER Carl Wilkes. 2:O415 and James A. Murphy's
Don Derby. 2:04@.
Mr.. smathers and Mr.. Murphy had arranged
series of brushes between John NJ and Don Derby
and there a large crowd on two sidewalks TO
witness the contest. John NJ was accounted the
best PAGER in the Grand Circuit this year while
Don Derby is acknowledged to be the fastest
Speedway PAGER IN New-York II not the fastest
ever seen on the Harlem drive. The outcome was
disappointing, and 1t seemed to afford new proof
Of the old saying that great racehorse is very
often great failure on the road. After pacing one
heat without Il break forcing Don Derby on
his feet by the terrific speed he displayed John NJ
became erratic and was beaten a city block in each
Of the succeeding brushes The crack PAGERS are to
meet again on Sunday morning
Really the best brushes of the day were fought
out by Ida Highwood and DR. Strong. The latter
horse Will be remembered the gray trotter that
won many in the Grand Circuit this year and
forced Sweet Marie to go a mile in 2:Oi&s to beat
him IN his last Memphis. In October. j. B.
Chapman. Pittsburg lawyer, who is treasurer OF
the Gentlemen's Driving Club. drove the gray
horse. 1t was his first effort the Speedway, and
Ida Highwood beat him q neck in the opening
round. In the next two brushes. however, DR..
Strong trotted fast that Mr.. Smathers's little
bay was swept off her feet and beaten.
There a series of brushes between Mr.. Bill
ings's crack teams. The owner drove the PAGERS,
while Charles Tanner, n trainer, drove The Monk
and Equity. In point Of speed the pairs appeared
acted the PAGERS, and won at every trial. Morning
Star caused all the trouble breaking the half
way point each time, Prince Direct steady
a clock while neither The Monk Equity
made break in four brushes II is expected that
the winning team will in brushes with L. A
Sunday morning.
In warming up for the team race Prince Direct
a brush from Morning Star in single harness
Mr.. Smathers's Sphinx S. defeated Mr.. Murphy's
Free Advice in two brushes. Angus Pointer fin
ished first In two out three trials of speed with
his stable mate, Greenline, Mr. Billings driving
the winner and Trainer Tanner the loser. Angus
Pointer paced about as fast Don Derby and John
M according 10 the opinion OF many horsemen.
In other brushes A. G. Schuyler's bay trottng
mare, Mona Wilkes. defeated a. b. Gwathmey's
chestnut trotter Blonde. 2I5: George H. Huber's
rhythmic. jr., won from Charles Weand's Lorna
McGregor, 2:l712; j. G. Kinney's bay mare Sonata
2:l5 outtrotted Andrew CraWford's Belfry Chimes
and David Goodmans Freeand. 2:17N. won from
Philip Heipenhausen's Nelly Wilkes. fish