Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
READY FOR BIG
HARNESS MEET
STEPPERS WILL GIVE GOOD
SHOW TODAY
SPEED COMMITTEES WORK is
WELL DONE
But Two Entries in Free-for-AlI Trot,
but Event Will Be Real Horse
Race-Handsom Prizes
offered
BY DAN PATCH

All arrangements for the last mat
inee of the Los Angeles Driving club
for the year 1908, which takes place at
Agricultural park today, are perfected,
and with = good day and track such
harness racing will be seen as Is sell
dom witnessed in this city. The small
est details making for the comfort of
the audience have been thought Of,
and no expense has been spared to in
sure notable days sport.
The speed committee labored faith
fully and we'll to classify the horses
so as to insure the closest finishes.
Zach horses name was read out and
his performances in the past, both in
races and workouts, discussed, and
then his work of the past week or ten
days was carefully canvassed, whether
he had improved or gone back and his
present condition: whether he had had
sufficient work to stay him up for a
race of heats at his limit of speed, or
owing to a letup, necessitated by sick
ness, lameness or other cause, he was
short of work, was all taken into con-
sideration, and he was classified ac-
cordingly.
The free-for-all trot will have but
two starters, but it will be a horse race
from wire to wire, and neither contest
ant can afford to make the slightest
mistake, for a break will cost him the
heat. Romeo, who at the November
matinee was the only one game enough
to enter against the great Carlokn in
the free-for-all trot and covered the
mile separately times in 2:10h, is by
James Madison and is owned by Will
liam Garland, the vice president of the
Los Angeles Driving club, who will
himself "team" him on Xmas day. He
is practically a green horse, but after
his race last month can be counted on
to race right round 2:09. and from his
breeding can't help being as game as
a trout and able to go all the heats
necessary. The cup he will race for has
been in question for some time, as 1t
must be won three times by the same
member to become his property. Sew
eral horses have legs on 1t, and his
competitor on Xmas day has won 1t
twice.
The cups are an exceptionally hand
some selection, and will be on exhibit
tion in the judges stand the day of the
races and will be presented to the win
ners at the wire on the conclusion of
each race. This is an innovation which
the public will appreciate, as hereto
fore they have not known which horse
won a certain cup. Now they will wit
ness the handsome trophy presented TO
the driver on the track in front Of the
grand stand.
Cramer's brass band, that provided
such excellent music last month; has
been engaged again and promises some
new selections. 1t will board a trolley
car at noon at Seventh and Main
streets and play through the principal
streets of the city before going to the
park, and it is hoped that, like the
Pied Piper of Hamlin, it will draw
everybody within hearing distance af-
ter 1t.
Comfort Insured
AS at the Thanksgiving matinee,
everything possible will be done to In
sure the comfort and pleasure of the
ladies and children who attend the
races. No liquor or intoxicants of any
kind will be sold or allowed to be sold
on the grounds, and no pool selling or
betting or gambling of any kind will
be permitted. A box of bonbons or a
half dozen pairs of gloves among the
fair visitors or a hat or box of cigars
among their escorts will be the extent
Of the wagers. If there are any be-
nighted citizens who wish to lose their
money they can sit in a smoke-laden
room all Xmas afternoon and play
nolxer or go to Santa Anita and make
an Xmas present of their bank rolls
to the boolxmakers. If. on the other
hand, they want to spend the holiday
with their wives or sweethearts and
enjoy an afternoon of high-class har-
ness racing for the very small sum of
25 cents per including grand stand.
they will come to Agricultural park.
IT is hard to say which race will be
the feature of the program. but per-
haps the free-for-all pace will turn out
TO be all things considered, the most
attractive. There will be a field of
five or six starters, including Dewey
which won the 2:12 class last month,
and Mandolin last November. The lat
fer was short of work and though he
had his speed the split Meats were
more than he was prepared for. This
time. however he is in great shape and
can make any of them step their best
to heat him. Siegfred has been worked
regularly and is going better than ever
and will be very hard to beat, as he
can show better than two minutes
speed any time. while the little gray
horse Silver Dick, although perhaps
not at his best is not to be overlooked.
The 2:20 pace is another race that
should be worth going miles to see.
There will be a large field in this. and
IT is hard to pick the winner. Silveretta
is always hard to beat, and now tha.
She won her last race 1t will be still
barder to head her. for that race did