The Washington herald., 1911-03-26
By L. d. SALE.

Light harness affairs in the District
of Columbia are simply marking time.
The cause Of this partly relates to
weather conditions, and to the fact that
several horse owners in our midst are un-
decided as whether they will have their
charges regularly trained at all, or II
trained who shall have the job. Many
of our local horse owners enjoy con-
ditioninG their own horses and in driv-
ing them in races. The light harness
bred horse stands in a class by himself,
in that owners can drive him. while on
the other hand owners OF the thorough
bred rarely ride their horses in races.
The major part of the trainers in
Washington are still in the air as re-
CARDS their strings for the spring and
summers work. We are later in this
latitude this year in that respect than
for several years past. There is a lot
OF young material in our midst ready
for the trainer. and some are going to
get them in the course of time.
There is a lot of well bred young
korscs in Montgomery County to be
trained-mostly owned by farmers-and
We presume some in Prince George
County and across the river in Virginia
These youngsters must be schooled, or
at least should be schooled by competent
men. 1t does not pay the owner of
horse to place him in the hands of
trainer simply because he offers to take
him for sum less than he can actually
AFFORD to do, taking into account his
time and what it costs to feed the
animal while in the course of training.
Alonzo Corbin has removed to Laurel
and is getting his string together slowly
He has long held the position of premier
trainer in this community, and it is
fair to presume he will eventually have
placed in his hands all the horses he
can do justice to. Harry Bowling still
fingers in Leonardtown, partly on private
business. and is undetermined as to what
horses he will handle during the train
ing season. Mr. Widmeier hopes to be
settled soon at Rockville. He will slowly
get together his stable, and any horse
owner who places his horse in his hands
will get good returns. as he is good
caretaker and has learned much how to
handle horses during the years he has
been with George w. Goodacre-
Mr. Bowlng's record as a trainer has
long been one of success. and there is
trainers will be busy within the next
two weeks.
Local horse circles were shocked dur
ing the week with the announcement
that ]. J. O'Keefe. for fifteen years past
prominent in local light harness affairs,
was no more, he having succumbed
Wednesday last in this city to an acute
attack of pneumonia Mr.. O'Keefe was
in many respects a unique and striking
figure; a man OF strong convictions: a
man who leaned much on his own judg
ment IN horse matters, and one who
could not be easily turned aside when
once he had taken his stand on any
subject
Born thirty-Seven years ago in Abby
fcale. County of Limerick. Ireland. he
came to America. the land OF oppor-
tunity when eighteen years of age. and
soon started in business for himself
and made good. Mr.. O'Keefe was man
Of moral and physical courage. as we'll
a. a man of positive convictions: but
beneath a rather brusque exterior beats
A warm Irish heart, as many needy
persons will testify, now that he has
gone to solve the great mystery of
ieath. Mr.. O'Keefe was among the first
20 become a member OF the drivers ana
Riders Association, and he is the first
If its membership to die since its or
some ten years ago. His most
notable race horses were Ed BALI. 2:11H. |
md r. ]. X, 2:l7A. Appropriate resolu- |
ions to his memory will be adopted at
he first meeting of the association soon |
% be held for that purpose
Mr.. Bennett, a wealthy West Virginian. |
las purchased a large tract of land near |
5eltsvilie, Prince George County. Md, |
IN which he intends to breed light har- |
less horses on a large scale. The su- |
erintendent of the farm is n. S. Croy. |
At the head of the stud is Matagorda |
chief. 2:2S. son of Mazatlan, 2:2sll, and |
AIDA De Claire %. 2:26h. by Lord Rus
'ell. full brother of Maud s., 2:OS%, to
high wheels.
MazatIan is a son of Electioneer, 2:25.
hazatlan also sired Rusalka, the dam
II Kushan. 2:1Sh. 1t is the hope of Mr..
Bennett to make of Bennett Farm the
eading breeding plant of Maryland,
where light harness horses are bred, and
he mares he will place there will be
hose representing the most fashionable
ines of breeding.
There is so much of the blood of
voodford Mambrino. 2:21h. in Loudoun
,ounty. Va, and Montgomery County.