The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
TROTTER AND PAGER
Laurel Track Opens Tomorrow One of the
Best Plants in Country-Gheen Is Superin-
tendent OF Horse Department.

Or. Patton's Mysotis, PIP IA, has been
bred TO Binolo who won the first heat
in 2:0S IL. and got third money. Other
District owners Of high-bred mares are
thinking strongly OF breeding to the son
of Bingen next spring. among them d.
]. Mccarthy and Peter LOTUS.
The descendants Of Bingen are racing
on, TO the surprise of a great many ex-
perienced horsemen and breeders who
rated them as being faint-hearted. Time
has proved to the contrary. Todd and
Bingara are to-day his leading sons. and
their sons and daughters are racing on
gamely. In the matter of extreme speed
the Bingens seem to be able TO hold their
own against all corners. Had Bingen
sired none but the champion trotting
gelding Uhlan. he would still be classed
among the greatest OF trotting prOgeni-
tors. The best, and by all accounts the
fastest descendant of Bingen owned in
this section is the bay mare Berka,
owned by Mr.. John Morris, OF Washing
ton. At the Allentown fair week before
last she was timed separately a last half
in 1:C5 in a race, and she IS credited with
having trotted an eighth OF a mile in
sixteen seconds. This is speed to burn,
and when the mare has been taught to
get away with her field the trotter that
beats her will never again race in the
2lj class.
AS was to be expected, r. T. c., Muir
phys plow horse. romped away with the
big end of the 5000 purse at Columbus
Thursday last, McDOnalds Lewis Forest
being the only horse in the field of six
to make him stretch his neck very much
Patrons of trOtting races in this section
of the country hope to see r. T. G. at
Laurel in the near future. as we'll as other
great trotters that have been travelling
the Grand Circuit. The Laurel authori-
ties could not present to the public in
this neck OF the woods a greater attrac-
ton, unless it be Uhlan, king of all trot-
tiers.
AS Chlan retired after the Lexington
meet, the presence of the biggest money
winning trotter of the year would 60 far
toward filing the gap. Considerable
speculation is being INDUCED in in these
parts as to how the Laurel management
will be able to mix the light harness
horses with the runners, with advantage
to the former. Every tyro in track expe-
rience knows that purely running track
IS not suited to the gait of trotters and
PAGERS. Trotters can negotiate heavy
going better thar can PAGERS. A rather
hard, smooth track suits PAGERS best as
they go lower than trotters. Could the
old half-mile ring have been preserved,
as was first contemplated, the plant at
Laurel would be without adverse criti-
cism
Visiting horsemen from the East and
West think 1t strange that the National
Capital has no race track within easy dis
tance Of the Districts boundary lines. 1t
is, indeed, an anomalous condition OF
things, when one bears in mind that
nearly every little town OF $500 inhabi-
tants in the North and Northwest has a
half-mile ring, where racing is given
spring and summer with purses worth
going after. Nothing is more stimuIat-
ing to the light harness industry than a
track where local horsemen may try out
their horses. 1t was thought when
Brightwood track was wiped OF the rae
ing map that there were enough in
terested horsemen in the District of Co
lumbia to buy a suitable tract Of ground
near the city, on which a track could be
constructed.
We have been given to understand that
there is now a slight movement in. that
direction; that IL, the matter is being dis
cussed by horsemen of means. and that
before the winter closes In on us, the prof.
ect may take a more tangible shape. 1t
is estimated that land buildings, track,
&C., will cost in the neighborhood of So
600. An up-to-date club house Is part
OF the plan, and It is recognized that the
site of the plant must be within easy
riding distance of the city by private
vehicle, trolley, and steam car. II IS
proposed 10 issue stock, and those who
have the matter In mind say they be-
lieve that there would be no difficulty in
dlsposing Of IL, II an organization were
formed with the right kind OF men as
officers. Let all horsemen hope that the
scheme is no idle dream.
Let no interested horseman deceive him
self. Something must be done to revive
interest In the light harness horse in the
District of Columbia. At present in
terest is at its lowest ebb. A track with
In easy reach. properly managed, and.
with al its appointments attractive. will