Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-28
THE SPORTING NEWS.
RAGING.
OLD TRACK
 RECALLED
Bill to Legal:z. Pool Selling Irings Eack Recollec.ions of the Old Plainvil.e Track and Horses.

of the Old Plainvil.e
 Track and Horses.
 Plainville, Feb 2s.-The talk of legal. izing pool selling is recalling to Plain- vile folk the time in the early 7Os when Plainville was in the Grand Cir cult and Ryder's track, half way be, tween New Britain and Plainville. saw noted horsemen and noted horses. Such a horseman as Allen Goldsmith was frequent visitor at this track. Gold smith at that time occupied the same position in the horse world as the late c. J. Hamlin in later years, and his string of horses included such fast ones as Alley, 2:19; Driver, 2:20A, and Lisander Boy, which holds the track record of 2:21, made at the meet of 1878. Considering that this record was luade some twenty-seven years ago it Is evident that the races on this track were decidedly fast. This string of horses was sired by Volunteer and to day good judges of the horse are pleased to have strain of Volunteer through the dam side, as they are all noted for being game, consistent rac- CTS.
 Gloster, said by many to be the largest trotting horse in the world, standing almost seventeen hands high was also seen at the Plainville track along with Goldsmith's string. St Julien, 2:12%; Ra-ls. 2:14A; American Girl, 2:161a; Judge Fulton, 2:1S. con Dick Swiveler, 2:1S. Chase. the B0s- ton horseman's string. including Hope, full, with mark of 2:14A, Doubtful and Grateful, all trotted many fast and exciting heats over the local track, although many of the marks secured by them were not made until later ycatS.
 Visitors at the Plainviile track will remember Sweetheart, who was the idol of the racing world years ago. Sweetheart, who under the guidance of Jimmie Golden paced mile in 2:19A. was the dam of Sydney, who was the sire of Lydia Dillon. who sired Lou Dillon, 1:5S1a, the present queen of the turf. Lou Dillon is at present under the care of Budd Doble, who was familiar figure at the Plainville track years ago, appearing back of Judge Fulton. 2:1S; Edwin Forrest, 2:1s. and Dexter, 2:17A. All the other noted drivers of those days, including Ollie Woodward, Jack Splain, Johnny Murphy. Jack Turner. A. J. Feekes, F. c. MOshier. Orrin Hitchcock, drove over this track, which was then con sidered one of the best ,in the eircuit which included Providence, Buffalo, Syracuse and Boston. The track was q soft one and was well thought of for trying-out purposes.
 On account of Hartford's standing and prominence. the Plainville meet was listed under the Capitol cityh would be constant string of teams passing through the towns coming from all directions. It is estimated that the largest crowd ever present was close to 5000 and on this occasion Allen Goldsmith lost valuable dia. mond pin which was pever recovered.
 Pool selling then was feature and thousands of dollars changed hands each day. Beer was sold freely on the grounds and at that time the beer li- cense was only S5O. so it is easy to i'm agine that this venture was successful. but the crowd was orderly and, as a general rule, good natured.
 The fastest horse ever owned by Plainville men was Bopeep, the prop erty of George Newton. who still re- es,5 ;,, pnnao,, hoI ctr tn ,t old Eth"n Allen blood and at the Bos- ton meet succeeded In itr6tting a mile f 2:16A. The third quarter of the third heat of this race was trotted by Bopeep in 30A.
 Annie owned by William Peck of Hartford. was one of the fastest mnrea ever seen on the track. and was after wards driven by I. B. Guernsey. also ot Hartford. to the mark in 2:20A time. This mare was very unsteady. but with good start she was off like a rocket and was seld headed.
 The Plainville track was the proper ty of F. A. Squires. a well known hotel man of New Britain who conducted the Humphrey house where the Park hctel at New Britain now stands. This hotel was gathering place for horse- men for miles ground.
 Plainville's last meet was held ir 1878. as the acquisition of Chnrter Oak park by joint stock company was considered a more suitable place for many good reasons. and to-day thn old track Is practically abandoned. al- though the firm of Porter X Chamber lain utilize it at times in working out young horses. as the sandy track does moi hurt their feet. The adjacent land is used for farming purposes. and the building which marks the entrance to the track and which was used for liv ing purposes, has been remodele1 into a house and is occupied by s. M. Ky der, who now owns the property.