The Washington herald., 1911-09-03
TROTTER AND PAGER
Rain During Past Week Has Banefut Effect on
Harness Racing-Rockpille Fair Hit Hard.
Other Gossip and Comment

as Hamlin, was invaluable to him He
was a ready. pupil. His natural sense Of
what was proper and right at psyche
logical moments was keen, and he soon
became famous. The horses he has made
and the turf victories he has won would
make a good sized volume. Nearly every
bone In his body has been broken in
accidents in the sulky, but disasters never
shook his courage or destroyed his
energy. Even when on crutches he in
sisted on being lifted to his sulky seat
and he never hesitated to get into the
midst Of the melee in that condition
when duty called. His finishes have he
come proverbial wherever the light har-
ness horse Is known, whether in Ameri-
ca or Europe. Geers' designations are con-
hned to the smoking OF cigars and the
eating OF ice cream He Is a good story
teller and impersonator, although he is
called the silent man. Of the light har-
ness turf. 1t is said Of him that he
never enters the judges stand to make a
complaint. To newspaper men he Is es-
pecially gracious, and visitors to the
stalls OF his horses are respectfully re-
ceived and their inquiries ciYilly an
swered.
In the public mind the reinsman that
ranks next to Geers is Thomas Murphy,
Of New York, the man who found the
great trotting FLY Native Belle, Cd,
2:0 "a. Way back in 1891 Murphy made
his debut as a driver on the haIf-mile
rings Of Long Island, when he flashed
on the public Preston, 2:13 Il He later
handled other good horses, such as Hetty
c., and the clever two-lap performer,
Nellie Gray. He seemed a mere boy when
he entered the Grand Circuit and began
the building Of a national reputation.
He was shrewd enough to have no
horses in his stable that could not win.
which. with his keen knowledge Of bal
ancing and light hand. as well as cool
ness in the sulky. added to the power
Of being able to rate horses properly in
a race. brought him soon to the top Of
the ladder as Grand Circuit reinsman.
In 1909 he led all drivers, and won both
divisions OF the Futurity at Lexington
with Native Belle and Baroness Virginia,
2:OS: "a, winning a triple Futurity with
the latter. Earlier still, he had won sec
ond money with Susie N, 2s09 1-2 in the
Kentucky Futurity, and with the sensa-
tional tyo-year-oId Trampfast, 2:13 IA, he
won the Juvenile section and secured the
two-year-old race record with him. 1t
was Murphy who first found and made
DR.. Chase, 2:10 IA. afterward owned in
this city by George Goodacre, and 1t
may be further said Of him that he
has placed upward Of one hundred
with r. T. c., pos IA. is Of recent record.
He will finish the present racing season
as the biggest winning driver, and, must
eventually succeed Geers in the public
eye. He does not use tobacco, is tenn
perate in all Of his habits, and in a good
business mar He cares for an aged
mother and ,oseveral younger brothers,
and is married. His home is a Pough-
keepsie, n. Y.
Washington horses have had little
chance during the past week to show
their worth, on account OF bad weather.
In their campaigns up to date their
showing has been excellent with two ex-
ceptions. The Mott stable went to pieces
early in the season because of bad judg-
ment on the part OF J. c. Mott, its mana
ger. He failed to realize, or II he reali-
zed failed to carry out, and old turf
aphorism that horseflesh has its Iimfta-
tions. He had two most excellent racing
prospects In Palm Cozine. 2:19 IA. and
Russell Cozine. 2:1s IA. AS early as May
and June he was giving them two races
per week and stiff workouts once a week
besides.
Each horse was a four-year-old, had
not reached maturity, and, while youth
can ordinarily stand more than middle
or old age. these good young horses
could not stand the work given them
and became lame and stale. The merest
tyro in racing could easily predict the
results that happened, and Mr.. Mott,
who is a most excellent gentleman and
trainer and driver Of no mean skill.
now, undoubtedly, sees the mistakes
he has made and doubtless regrets that
he allowed his haste to grab all the
money in sight overcome what should
have been his better judgment.
The Burke, Va, stable, with the single
exception OF Manuella, has done much
better. The horses belonging to 1t were
seasoned more slowly, and therefore
! were brought to the post better prepared
for an arduous campaign. The result Is
that they have lasted longer and have
brought to their owners the rewards that
flow from patience. The same remarks
will apply to the string OF trotters and
PAGERS owned by the Javins brothers, OF
this city With less fast work than any
stable ever owned IN Washington has
received, in the sldHful hands OF Frank
Thomas, they seem good enough to last
the entire. racing season. The stable OF
horses prepared at Heathsville, Va, by
w E. Miller, Is also in an excellent con-
dition. It is a strong stable; in fact, one
of the strongest, II not the strongest,
owned at present in the District Of Co
lumbia. The stars Of the string are Alice
M, PAGER. and Boski, ca, trotter OF
high quality. Axis, q PAGER, has not
thus far fulfilled the promise OF his
youth, but may yet round to and sur
prise those who have watched his per-
formances. Alice NJ. is being saved up
for the 1900 stakes at the Richmond, ,
Va, State fair. Few racegoers have
seen her perform at her best, and while
she may not win at Richmond, It VIII
take high-class horse to show her the
way when the race takes place.
The Leesburg fair begins Labor Day.
and the local association is slated for
three DAYS meeting. The Javinses, and
nerhaps the Miller string, viii take part
| in the meeting Dr. ]. n. Sansbury,
ouner of the Forestville, Prince George
County. track, has decided not to hold
| a labor Day meeting, but will hold
| two-day meet, beginning October 20.
which win follow the three days meet
ing TO be held at Leonardtown, beginning
| october Is. Most OF the Leonardtown
entries will perform at Forestville, and
DR.. sansbury is already at work on his
card.
George Goodaere has sold Miss Nina.
2:M IA to Peter Drury. who is driving
her in his business. Mr.. Goodacre sold
the big maFe at a substantial advance
over the price paid.
Harry Bowling Is now training at
LeonarcitoWn where he has all the horses