The Detroit times., 1908-07-21
BLUE RIBBON MEETING FEATURES
ATTACK ON TWO FAMOUS OLD MARKS

The greatest aggregation OF trotters
ever assembled within the limits OF
track enclosure now populates the
State Fair Grounds. according to Sec
Ietary A. H. Moone OF the Detroit
Driving club and the statement
goes with all the horsemen and
railbirds who form the retinue OF the
blue-blooded flyers that will draw
people from all over the world TO
their tests Of speed, scheduled to
open on Monday.
Major Delmar, l 80 "a: Sweet
Marie, 2:02 IA Highball, 203 "a:
Jack Leyburn, 2:0i 49, George G..
2:05 Ia; Sonoma Girl. 2.O5 1.5; Orc.
2:05 Ia; Wilkesheart. 2:05 Ia; Amy
Brooks, 2:05 1-4-there is a bunch OF
names to coniure with and 1t doesn't
include such stars as Margaret o.,
that can trot In 2:05, Spanish Queen.
that has been a public mile right at
that notch. and a lot OF others that
are up to three miles in one afternoon
In better than :09
The unexpected wealth OF trotting
has induced the club TO make a
change In program which will result
in two good races, instead OF one,
and will give the crowds In attendance
view OF what are undoubtedly the
two fasterst trotters at present ia
training, in contest OF speed which
will virtually decide the racing cham
pionship OF the world.
Instead OF the 2:06 trot TO which
most Of the stars mentioned above are
eligible, the club has decided 10 offer
purse OF $4,000 for Sweet Marie and
Highball and the race which will be a
two In three affair is likely to prove
one OF the most noted OF the meeting.
Sweet Marie was the undisputed
race champion of 1905. She retained
her laurels last year. This spring she
has already defeated the pick OF the
eastern contingent, Major Delmar In.
cluded. Billy Andrews. who is her
trainer this year insists that she T.
up to her very best effort right now
Highball is a horse that, under most
discouraging handicaps last year prov
ed . race horse par excellence This
year he Is sound. His mile in 2:03 81
at Peoria Ia by all adds the fastest
In the chronicles OF what promises {,
be the greatest racing year the har
ness turf has ever known. That tn,
nile is not a true measure OF terrific
speed is generally conceded II fol
lowed two fast miles below 210 anC
he went the final quarter without AM
competitor to urge him on
The event is not one OF those win
ter-arranged matches which have prov
en- so uninteresting In past years. bu
is one made with both competitor
In the pink OF condition and with al
incentive which should result in tn
lowering OF the worlds trotting rae,
record. II favorable track is afforded
The 2:03 Ia mile which formed tn
crisis OF the strenuous duel betweei
Cresceus and The Abbott away bac
In. 1902 is pretty sure TO be shaded
in the judgment OF the horsemen nov
at The track.
The change In program which doe
away with the 2l06 trot and subst
tutes freeforall trot with the tw
stars otherwise taken care OF. was
move which was made TO swell IN
entry list. allowing race for ever
other trotter. In spite Of records
None Of tho entries in the 2:06 even
had any objection, as they are vii
tually free-for.allers when Highbal
and Sweet Marie are barred
With the exception OF the grea
pair Of horses which Charlie Dean
chaperoning round this year. Mino
Heir. 2:0l and Fleming Boy. 2;07 81
virtually all the horses OF promir
ence in The Grand Circuit whic
forms the acme of the racing worl
are now at the fair grounds. TIL
$50 mark was attained Monday wit
the arrival OF the string OF Waite
Cox. the famous New England rein.