Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-11

PROFITS FROM RACERS.
Question al to the Value of Harness and
Running Horses


though to recall her serves no purpose so
far as this article goes. Flora Temple was
not what we would call in these days a
high-priced horse. She once sold for S13
The largest sum she brought was $1,000
Mr.. William Mcdonald of Baltimore paying
that amount for her. But Flora Temple is
entitled to mention here, for she was the
first horse to trot a mile in better than 2.2O
and when she did that she laid the founda-
ton for new era for the harness horses of
the world
Fact of two trotters have sold in recent
years for more money than there is any
record Of home-bred runner selling for
When Axtell. at three years old, turned the
Terre Haute track in PIP, he was sold for
$1o5,000; and when Arion went over the
Stockton, Cal, course. at two years old, in
21OA. Mr.. Malcolm Forbes of Boston hand
ed over $4,000 check for him.
The late Gov. Leland Stanford refused
100000 for the tcotting stallion Palo Alto
Mr.. William H. Vanderbilt refused 100000
for Maud s., and then sold her to Mr.. Rob
ert Bonner for $4,000. This was purely
matter OF sentiment. Parties who offered
100000 for the mare proposed to use her
for hippodroming purposes. Mr. Wander
biit, who did not want her handled in that
way, let Mr.. Bonner have her, knowing that
she would receive good treatment from him.
Mr. c. X. G. Billings gave 81. 500 for Lou
Dillon. This was before the present worlds
champion trotter had shown anything like
her real speed. What Mr.. Billings would
get for her, should he sell her, is a ques-
tion but the sum in all probability would
require six figures to enumerate it, for Lou
Dillon can earn a fortune going miles
against her own wonderful record, and in
simple exhibitions Mr.: E. E. Smathers
gave $4,000 for Major Delmar. AS in the
case Of Lou Dillon, this horse has thou
sands awaiting him for exhibitions and
trials against time
After Harms took the record from Gold
smith Maid, Mr.. Bonner bought him for
$4,000 and retired him from the turf. The
Abbott, product of Cicero J. Hamin's
Village Farm, brought $4,000. Many other
horses that come from this breeding insti-
tuition have been sold for amounts reaching
far up into the thousands.
X
Joe Patchen. Star Pointer and other pac-
ers have brought sums ranging from $4,000
to $4,000 each Prince Alert when sold to
go abroad after he went his fast mile aided
by wind and dirt shields. it is said brought
$4,000. Dan Patch, the king Of PAGERS.
cannot be bought at any price. He is a
of Joe Patchen.
sidew heelers that included Joe Patchen and
Robert j., was sold to Edward H. Harri-
man. the New York millionaire railroad
magnate, for $4,000.
Friends of the harness horse claim for
their favorite numerous elements of worth
that are not. they assert, possessed by the
runner Among them are that the trotter
OR PAGER Is less susceptible to accident in
training or racing; that he lasts longer on
the race track; that he Is useful after his
racing days are over. for the work done by
ordinary horses; whereas the runner. after
track career that does not often exceed a
period of four years. If not fit for breeding
purposes. is no better than "a dead one"
The sale Of John r. Gentry illustrates one
of these points. and this is but one Of thou
sands of similar cases that might be shown
Mr.. Hartman uses Gentry a speedway
attraction and for pleasure driving on the
road At recent matinee on the New
York speedway there were more than one,
bought by rich people because of their race
track records. and which are now used for
pleasure driving only.
The higher class Of running horses, It Is
admitted. have opportunities to win purses,
such as the big eastern handicaps. the Flu
turity and the western Derby races afford.
that are richer than are offered for any of
the trotting or pacing events. But these
are comparatively few. and tho trotter or
PAGER. II speedy and sturdy, can even things
up. He can go through the more prominent
circuits and get scores of chances to race
for purses ranging from 81 900 to $4,000
each. and II he Is fortunate enough to pull
down few OF them his winnings at the
end Of a year will foot up very favorably
with the earnings of the best Of the runners
II
The outlook for this years trotting and
pacing events Is very rosy. Readvile Hart
ford. Providence. Cleveland, Columbus.
Terre Haute. Memphis and all of the other
big tracks have offered exceptional induce
ments to owners. Ten-thousand- dollar
purses are features OF several programs,
while $1,000. 5000 and $1,000 attractions are
too numerous to mention. Fast and ex-
citing contests are sure to be the result
and 1t is freely predicted that before the
snow falls again several more horses be-
sides those We now have with the coveted
mark will reel off miles under two minutes