The Washington times., 1905-05-21
WORLDS CHAMPIONS
IN BILLINGS BARN
Six Thofoughbreds Hold the
Best Records.
MAJOR DELMAR THE STAR
Racing Plant One of the Most Ex-
pensively Equipped in
Existence
MAJOR DELMAR THE STAR

One Of the sights of Cleveland to
the lover OF pretty horse is the Cleve-
land Driving Park, where some of the
greatest harness performers in the
world have made their regulations and
are now training
The track is ideal. the accommoda-
tions ample. and great corwds attend
when matinees are held. in which gen.
tlemen drivers handle the ribbons over
worlds record-holders.
Last year Cleveland was out of the
Grand Circuit because OF the refusal of
the authorities OF GlenviIe, the little
| one-horse town in which the track is
situated, to allow pool-selling. This
year dates have been assigned to it
In the belief that before the meet
ing is held GlenviIle will have been
annexedt to Cleveland and the village CEN
sors rendered powerless to interfere
This Is the program, but in some quar-
ters doubt is expressed about the ability
of the track politicians to pull off the
scheme. Should it fall through the city
will be wiped off the Grand Circuit map
| Especial efforts are being made TO have
/ the meeting this year. as its proceeds
viii just cover the remainder of the
debt on the plant, and leave it practi-
calIy q gift to the owners. The track
was built IN 1871 and was first used for
racing in 1872.
Billings Stable.
Strangers going to Cleveland Driving
! Park have one object in view these
days, and that is TO see the great stable
| owned by c. K G. Billings, and train
ed by Doc Tanner. 1t is well worth the
street car ride to have a look at these
wonderful performers. OF course, all
| eyes are turned first upon Major Del
mar, 1894, the greatest trotting gelding
| that ever lived. He is q vicious black
| horse who is always a menace TO his
| handlers. but he has all the lines of a
| great speeder and looks the part of a
champion. Some Of his wildness has left
him in recent months and he was So
| cialde enough when a Times reporter
! askea~him the time of day. Attaches of
the Billings string said he was ready for
| the most triumphant season o< his
| career, and expect him to still further
reduce his present mark
| Near Major Delmar are Equity and
| The Monk. who hold the worlds pole
! trotting record with 2:07&. Across the
hall are Angus Pointer and Prince Di-
rect, holders OF the worlds pole-pacing
| record. AS if this We're not enough, in
an adjoining stall is Charley Mac, who
accomplished last year the remarkable
feat of trotting a mile under saddle
with Mr.. Billings up in 2:1344, d world S
record.
When 1t is remembered that Mr.. Bill
/ ings weighs 165 pounds, the work OF
| Charley Mac stands out even more
prominently. He IS a large, high, heav-
lily built horse. exactly suited to trot-
ting under saddle.
! Not only the horses. but the stable
and accommodations, at the Billings
plant are worth studying. The build
ing is long and high. with all the mod
means of skylights. There are twenty
principal stalls. each with the name OF
Tits occupant on the outside for the In
formation Of yisito4s, and there is a
wide hall down the center of the build
ing. Everything is scrupulously neat
and arranged on a thorough racing
basis, although the proprietor uses his
horses for matinee purposes only.
Excellent Accommodations.
Being g rubber or 'swipe" in the
Billings stable has attractions to bt
found in few others, Instead Of sleep
ing around iii the stalls with the horse.
excellent accommodations are furnished
in the gallery, or second floor, with goo(
bedding. in place of tse working
BLANKETS Of the horses usually used
There is a reading and writing room
where the men may spend their leisur'
moments.
Paid Good Salary.
The pay of stable hands in the stabl'
is $50 per month, and their board is 81
per month. leaving $34 per month clear
In December each man is paid SIS 10
his months work as a sort OF Christ
lmas present The Billings horses. rae
ing only for plate and other prizes
do not win any actual money. and tn
hands do not get the tips which ar
generally handed to the "swipe" of
purse winner, but it is said that Whel
any Of the horses achieve a notabl
triumph the man in the stall is no
forgotten II S. r.