The Washington herald., 1911-11-12
BY l.. ID. SALE.

With horses held over for 1872 in winter
quarters, horscman local and at large
can do LITTLE else hut speculate on the
certainties and uncertainties of the sea-
son to come.
This with the interest annually evolved
form the sale rings. will keep horsemen
all over the country on their tiptoes.
Then, too. incidentally, horse owners
will be kept more or less busy taking
an inventory of the mishaps that have
afflicted their charges during the racing
season of 1911. Few horses go. through
an active campaign these days without
receiving injuries to feet and tendons,
and there will be blistering and firing and
powerful Einiments applied until Old Piher
Wilkes, If he could only speak, would de-
clare that he wished he had never been
born.
The torture that the average race horse
Is compelled to endure, before the curtain
is finally rung down on his performances,
is almost enough to draw pity from
stone. In most cases the most heroic
treatment is necessary to get crippled
horse fit to stand his annual preparation.
and, even after he is ready to go to the
post the entire gamut of horse remedies
have to be resorted to make him stand up
for his several engagements. The trainer,
the veterinary and the swipe are the
closest of friends during the winter
months They .are frequently in close
consultation. while from his comfort
able stall, may be seen Old Piker watch
ing them closely out of the corner of his
eye and meditating on what they are
going to do for him next.
There is comedy and tragedy in horse
racing, as in other walks of life. Tragedy
more frequently occupies the stage than
comedy. 1t is a serious matter for man
who has his money invested in horse to
see the animal go wrong just at the time
when he believed him to be. money
winner. Time, money. labor, and fond
anticipations vanish in the twinkling of
an eye. and all he has to show for it is
crippled horse only fit to be hacked
about the streets TO an ash wagon. Such
has been the fate Of more than one noble
animal whose brilliant efforts on the
course have been applauded by thousands
of spectators. Who that has freQuented
race tracks has not seen some noble
animal fly down the homestretch. with
nostrils expanded and eyes blazing with
the lust of victory. suddenly falter with
a fractured leg? Who is there who has
not shuddered and his heart gone out
in pity when the fatal shot was fired
and the poor animal that was willing to
give the last ounce that was in him was
put out of his misery? Tragedies, in
deed; yea, plenty of them.
Some magnificent specimens of the
harness breed will be seen in the sales
rings within the next few months. Bran.
ham Baughman, 2:05 IA, the largest
PAGER OF 1911, is in the
Madison Square Garden sale, which be-
gins November q, and ends December 2.
Aquin, 2:0S, is also slated for the auc-
tion ring at the same place. as is also
The Peer. 2:15 3-4, sire OF the good four
year-old Cascade, 2:0S IA. Another we'll
known stallion that will be struck down ,,
to the highest bidder Is Silent Brook. |
PIG Ia sire of Billy Burke, 200 81. Lewis
Forest, 2:06 II r. T. c., closest con-
tender in 1911, is also consigned and the
great sire Ed. Custer, 2:10. will also find |
q new owner. II any one In Washing |
ton Is anxious to own a champion three |
Year-old PAGER. he cannot do better than