Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09
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The Independence day matinee given UNI
der the auspices of the Brightwood Driving
Club. at Brghtwood Park was fIattering
success There was an unusually large at
tendance for such an occasion. Nearly one
half of the audience was composed of la
dies, an unmistakable sign of the regaining
of the long declining health of the harness
horse sport In this locality. and the presence
of the fair and gentler in such generous
numbers gave interest and pleasantly to the
whole affair. not single incident arising
among the onlookers that was In any way
calculated to mar enjoyment.
The racing was exceptionally good There
were i've events on the program. but two of
|sthem were fought with such determination
and took up SO much time that the last one.
novelty race. had to be declared off. be-
cause of approaching darkness.
The sport started with 2.3J trot or pace.
This was the most attractive number on the
card because Of the presence in 1t of the
much-talked about Niger Boy Of the Jaw
ms Brothers stable This horse has been
an enigma. He has phenomenal speed. but
Is as wild as a forest buck. He has been
in the hands OF numerous trainers, and all
nave given him up as an incOrrgibie. and
when the beautiful bay mare Edna Wilkes.
conceded to have wonderful footing power,
appeared on the track to contest for hon
ors with him many heads shook and there
was general concession. It's all UP with the
Niger"
The race was half-mile heats, three in
five. Edna Wilkes, ably driven by her
owner, Mr.. James Fletcher, increased the
confidence of her admirers by neatly cap
turing the first heat IN l. O1s, and rush
was made for the books when the horses
were called for the second trial. When the
word was given to go Niger Boy settled to
his work like veteran and Driver Frank
Thomas brought him home winner by three
lengths Jogging in los fiat. He made no
mistakes in the final heats. which he won
as he pleased in LOBE and 1.12h.
The 2.25 trot was next on the card. Di-
rector Hannis. skillfully driven. by 20 ].
linn, won in six heats. j. j. Okeefe's fast
pacing gelding l.. J. X. took the free-for-
all race in straight heats in 1.1O, 1.091s and
1.O7s. Kentucky Rose. cutting numerous
capers before she got going. won the run
ming race as she liked against five competi-
tors.
1t is not generally known. but it is new
ertheless fact. that there few more
ardent lovers OF the harness horse in the
District of Columbia than is that distin-
guished soldier. Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
When in Washington Gen. Miles was reg
ular attendant at the speedway matinees
and no one enjoyed the brushes there more
than he. Gen. Miles is not only lover
OF harness horses, but he owns a number
of highly bred and speedy ones Among
them is Gold Pebble. by Gold Leaf Happy
Tie. by Happy Russle; General Wooey.
recent purchase in Kentucky, and Tony M.
The last-named horse is a black pacing
geldfng with race record of 214k. He
has gone miles in work better than 210 and
has covered half mile In LOO. Gen.
Miles, who Is now In Boston. has all of the
above-named horses with him and drives
them on the speedway of the hub.
Gen. Miles was an interested witness of
the races at the recent spring meeting at
Brightwood.
Bedford Boy. owned by Mr.. E. F. Hail.
the well-known business man Of this city,
broke the wagon record for Point Breeze
Philadelphia, last Tuesday. pacing mile