Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
RAIN SPOILED
HARNESS RACES
By L. D. Sale.

Another week Of rain has put decided
crimp in track receipts and in the bank
rolls Of horse owners who have been
chasing the elusive dollar with more or less
success since the racing season opened. A
feature Of the closing meetings of the
year, and in fact of the entire season of
1906, is the large fields, in each of the
events, a condition that must grow more
acute from year to year unless remedy
is devised by track associations. Some
of the fields that have started this season
have numbered as high as eighteen horses,
thus necessitating the starting of the
is almost an impossibility for the most
experienced starter to do justice to SO
large a number Of horses. The keenest
eye cannot LOOK in dozen places at
once when horses are scoring tWo-minute
clip, as Is frequently the case, the con-
sequence being that horses in the last tiers
are likely to be overlooked and their
chances spoiled.
The solution of the problem lies in smaller
fields and divided purses. 1t Is true that
the purses will be less. but the money
hung up will be more equitably dis
tributed and horse owners will stand
better chance to get piece of the purse.
Another objection to extremely large fields
is that the best horse does not always
win, especially if he is placed in the rear
tiers. Drivers are sure to plan combi-
nation against him by steering him into
pockets; the racing is prolonged, bettors
disgrunted and patrons of the track
wearied with the length of program.
To the man on the outside, the scramble
of the last week among horsemen at Balti-
more had it's interesting features. 1t was
about their last chance in this baiiwick to
get in the money, and as the purses were
quite substantial they were worth lighting
for. Washington horses did not figure very
conspicuously in any of the events, either
for the reason that they were not up to
| concert pitch or that the other fellows
were too fast for them. However, on the
whole, local horses have done fairly well
this season, considering the material on
hand. The majority of them played the
role of the early bird that seeks the
worm and got into the field and picked
up the money, while others saved their
horses for fear that they would lower their
records. Out of ten starts Kushan has won
eight times and has never been outside the
money. Belle Hazel out of twelve starts
has won four first moneys, three second
moneys, one third money and two fourths,
and winning the aggregate sum OF $3.50.
the season. but of late has hardly won more
/ than her expenses, having grown stale.
Bob Ingersoll, for the number of times ne
has started. has been signally successful
in getting first money, while Bedworth, jr.,
and s. D. r. have probably paid expenses
Bedford Boy, however has not raced up
to his form of last season and is much to
the bad The Morrison-Acker string was
probablt the only one sent out from the
District that did not at least pay ex-
penses. The handsome little sorrel mare,
Mysotis, was rarely out OF the money the
entire season, although she was up against
some verX fast horses in her class. Peter
Taylors Irish Jack, although possessing
a world of speed was particularly unfortu-
nate. Charles McDermott did not begln TO
race his horses until late in the season
For some reason, not explained, he has
thus far met with indifferent success. II
Is rumored that Mr.. McDermott may get
! h,,,1 Ci
| the Panama canal. If the contract is
awarded to him all Of his fast horses Will
GO under the hammer in the near future.
In spite of the damp weather the speed
way was pretty we'll patronized the week
past James Holmes behind Trilby, Jr.,
and George Prince behind his handsome
Alcantara gelding had several set-tos, there
each other as to which was ahead. B. F.
McCaully had out every fair afteroon
Charles McDermott's gray FLY, by Domi-
neer, 2:15. dam the dam of Frank Yoakum,
is learning to step fast and she does 1t in
| the right way. Harry Duley stepped fast
| through the stretches during the week his
four-year-old filIy Mabel Wilkes, and L. E.
Breuninger with his five-year-old mare by
| q son of Orange Blossom. did not seem to
| be afraid to tackle anything in sight. Harry
| Bowling, one Of the best amateur drivers in
| this section Of country, held the reins ovs@
| the Electioneer filly Sweet Bells. AS soon
as the weather becomes settled there will
| be q race over the speedway between the
youngsters above named for harness. as
| money is not permitted as a prize over the
course
! w. H. Mahoney of Southeast Washing
| ton flashed up very promising four-year-
| old fllly by ~0nycha Wilkes, 2:21A, Wednes-
day last and if she continues to improve in
speed will make the fastest Of the young
| brigade step some to head her down the
| stretch. AS a matter Of fact, there are a
number of fast young mares and geldings
| in Washington that one hears little about
| in the press that have brilliant future
before them
| Weather permitting. the Leonardtown
| meeting, October 81 and November /, will
| be one of the SWEETEST affairs held in that
| region for many seasons. With the excep-
| tion of the horses entered in the free-for-
| alls, local horses will perform in the sew
will hold political rally at Leonardtowns
| on the forenoon Of November 1. and the