The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14
BY L. ID. SALE.

By L. ID. SALE.
The formal opening Of the new Speed
way promises TO produce a revival OF
light harness interest in the District OF
Columbia
The programme as outlined by those
having the event in hand is. happily
broad enough in scope TO bring into a
common fold all OF the several horse in
terests in the District OF Columbia with
the single exception of the heavy draft.
II the revival goes far enough. the day
may soon arrive when the last-named
class will have its innings in an annual
horse show to be held on the grounds OF
the Potomac Park
No good reason can be produced why
the city Of Washington should not. during
the early spring or fau months. hold an
exposition Of horsefesh. We have in our
midst enough good horses OF all classes
10 make a respectable showing, and once
the scheme IS put into action a rivalry
viii spring up among lovers OF the horse
that Will not end until the Capital OF the
Nation stands in the front rank In this
respect.
The writer OF this column is one Wash
ingtonian who believes that the commit
tee which met early last week and draft
ed a programme for the opening OF the
new Speedway builded better than they
knew and that they have paved the way
for the accomplishment Of great things.
They have recognized the speed and sad
die horse. the heavy harness horse. the
horse that can get his knees up to his
chin while in motion. and the horse
that can get over timber. Even the
wiry little polo pony viii be able TO come
I In for his share Of recognition, and II all
the details OF the scheme are faithfully
carried out the city OF washington Will
produce such a carnival OF horsehesh as
VIII attract International attention.
1t can be accomplished II every lover OF
the horse IN the District OF Columbia
/ takes hold OF the matter I'm the proper
way. II there are any Knockers" let
them take themselves for the time being
70 the tan timber. and pessimists should
follow closely in their trail The time
has arrived when II is no longer a ques-
ton of men. but OF measures. Action is
needed and not talk. Social rank should
cut no figure. The West End should join
hands FOR once with every other end Of
the city IN making the event a success. II
VIII not soil its gloves or its clothing
or detract one iota from its dignity.
II Will find on the grounds men and
women quite as respectable as itself. al
/ though they may not figure IN the Wash
| ingtOn Who's Who" Every man and
woman in Washington who loves the
horse should henceforth labor TO make
the proposed horse show and speed car
nival an event 20 which every citizen can
look back upon with sincere pride.
Every horseman who has driven over
the finished quarter OF the new Speedway
pronounces II one Of the fastest pieces OF
dirt in the United States. The top soil.
which was pumped from the bottom OF
the Potomac. IS OF a peculiar nature. The
subson was OF muck. over which was
laid a covering OF ashes. The result
proves that the course is Of an elastic OF
springy nature and aids the horse as he
strides over IL Superintendent McCauIly
has made the most OF the existing con-
ditiOns and has put the completed quar-
|
upward OF six weeks past he has been Ut
with the lark, driving things with forty
horsepower, and has only quit the
grounds when darkness interviewed. With
the limited implements he has had al
hand he has done wonders, and when all
Is done and over with common decency
will award to him the lions share OF
credit
The question Is frequently asked among
horsemen in the District of Columbia,
Where shall we go, now that Bright
wood has gone out OF commission The
answer IS easy The Burke, Va, track
in 1910 will be doing business at the old
stand. just as It has for the past two
seasons. Henry Copperthite. owner of
the course. has decided already 10 give
races on Decoration Day as usual. and
viii also give meetings on July 4 and
Labor Day. DR.. J. 5. Sansbury expects
TO build a grand stand on his track dur
ing the winter or spring and sufficient
stabling 20 accommodate all the horses
liable 10 demand room. Forestville, Nd.
where the track IS located, is only eight
miles distant from the city and can be
reached over fine pike. II can also be
reached by trolley.
Edward Daniels contemplates erecting
In the near future a number OF stables
adjacent TO his track at Autoville. near
Berwyn. He will also construct a grand
stand IN the beautiful grove adjoining the
track and extend the latter a full half
mile. Either one Of the tracks mentioned
Is safer. faster. and better in every way
than the old Brightwood course and rae
ing events VIII be given over each OF
them during the coming summer. The
only valid criticism that can be made
against either OF the tracks mentioned is
that they are not close 20 the city. The
Autoville track can be reached in fifteen
minutes by either steam car or trolley. or
If one wishes to drive out ne can do so
over one Of the finest pixies in this coun-
try In fortyfive minutes from Washing
ton Burke can be reached by steam cars
in a few minutes ride
Mr.. Daniels has decided to give another
matinee on Wednesday of this week at
his Autoville track. The events will COM
prise t-otting and pacing races. the
horses taking part being CLASSIFIED on the
day of the meeting after their arrival. A
number Of Washington horses are ex-
pected TO participate in the events, as
well as horses owned in Prince George
and Montgomery counties. A feature of
the day viii be two mule races. owners
to ride DR. J. $. Sansbury expects a
record-breaking crowd at his track No
vember 3. Thanksgiving Day Some Of
the horses that are expected 70 partici-
pate in the events Of the day are already
at the track and are being worked over
It, The match race between Kushan.
2:1S15. and Russell g.. 2:172t, promises to