Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-01-16

From the American Horse Breeder.


the year 1918 was scarcely equal to its pre-
decessor, and, if the successful years wer,
to be ranked by that method, it woulC
have to be admitted that the turf haC
failed to show progress in the twelve
months now ending. In the list of new
champions which appeared the past sea
son, there is none, save the two-year-old
king, Peter Volo, to awaken any remark
able enthusiasm by the stupendousness OF
the performance. And it is well to con-
slider, before turning to other subjects, that
1t is but four short years since Native Belle
placed the two-year-old record at 2:07 81
| and critics were then not lacking to
prophesy that this generation would not
see her displaced as the champion of two
| year-old trotters. So much for those who
believe that the limit of progress in speed
has been reached
1t is somewhat of coincidence that the
pre-eminent performance of the year should
be minimized to some extent by another
wonder of the same age and gait-Lady
Wanetka. The record set by Native Belle
had stood safe for nearly four years-a
considerable period, when speed develop
ment is consdered-yet, in his ascent to
the throne, the dazzling son of Peter the
Great needed to lag but a trihe to have
conferred championship honors on the FLY.
That she had speed closely approaching
that OF the champion was plainly mani
tested; that both equine wonders came in
single year is coincidence, which has
parallel in the struggle for the three
year-old crown in 1889, between Axtell
and Sunol.
Had it not been for this wonderful pair
OF two-year-olds, and especially Peter VOlo,
there would, undoubtedly. have been more
deserved credit given to the three year
Odds, even though they failed to produce
new Champion from among their number.
Don Chenault lacked not a great deal in
ability. Some even think he was capable
OF displacing Colorado E., 2:04 "a, and,
though Atawah's record lacks nearly three
seconds Of reaching that of the three-year-
Old champion, early season form gave con-
hdence that he possessed the extraordinary
ability which none but the very greatest
have.
In the performance of u. Forbes, 2:21 1-2,
that marked new record for yearlings on
half-mile track, there is the establish
ment of record which gets little consid-
Grafton, partly because the training of
yearlings is no longer common, and partly
because the effort was the result of mere
speed trial
or the pacing youngsters, William, 2:05,
the three-y ear-old star, was the only one
to gain place as a champion of his age,
though the California gelding, John NAL
colin. made new record for twO-year- old
unsexed PAGERS by his mile in 2.ii i-2. 1t
may also be termed a coincidence that two
unsexed trotting products Of the same age
rose to fame in 1918 and are now tied for
the worlds h0nOrs, Bon Courage and judge
Jones both taking their records of 2I2 "a
during the present year.
The balance of the achievements of 1913
must, OF necessity, be treated briefly. OF
the trotters, the new three-heat record
made by Dude Archdale and Anvil is per-
haps the more noteworthy, and, with the
feat OF Bon O'clock in equaling the fastest
fifth heat, gives to the year the only dis
tinction that attaches to il in the depart
ment Of worlds race records.
OF the PAGERS, Leata j., by her mile in
2:03, became the fastest -year-old
mare, as well as the fastest green pacing
mare, of all time. Braden Direct likewise
achieved double honors in establishing a
new five-year-old race record, which stands
also as the fastest mile ever paced by
horse of his age, POI 1-2.
Frank Bogash Jr. in pacing a fifth heat
In 2O3 l-2, hung up new record, and
Earl, Jr., 2:Ol 1-2. made a new record for
a two-heat race by stallion! Directum |,
2:O2 Sd, equaled the worlds record for a
fourth heat and established a new race
record for half-mile tracks.
Then, there was the marvellous mile of
Uhlan, with running mate, which made
another change in the worlds best list,
and which gave fitting finale to the pub
liz sNf fh..
yet seen.
In review, the list seems more imposing
than In comparison, perhaps because there
is lack OF new race records or, possibly
because the great racing feats of late years
have taught us to expect greater things
with each succeeding season.
That the trOtting sport is growing more
popular each year is proven by facts and
figures, which show that, in 1913, approx
mately three millions of dollars were given
in purses to the trotters and PAGERS of the
United States and Canada, of which amount
one hundred and twenty six Of the larger as
sociations contributed, practically, 81, 700.-
OOO. AS eleven hundred or more meet
ings OF lesser caliber were held, and grant
ing that these minor meetings distributed
no more than 81 500 each, which Is q
conservative estimate. 1t brings the grand
total far beyond the three million mark
There were 6l5 purses given, each worth
one thousand dollars or more, and, of this
number, 406 were for trotters, and 400
for PAGERS, showing that the lateral GATED
horse is looked after far better than is
generally considered.
OF the 1925 tracks included in the table,
which were the only ones to give purses
worth 81 900 or more. az were mile courses,
and 81 were Of the twO-lap variety. As
the balance Of approximately 100 tracks
which gave meetings are practically Of
the half-mile kind. II can be plainly seen
that the smaller course bears no small
share in the support Of the trotting indus
try.
II Is pleasing to note that, in the distri-
button OF the purses included in the table.
there is a lack Of performers that won all
starts. In fact, of the 200 trOtters in
cluded, only 27 Of them won four or more
races each. while, of the nearly 200 PAGERS,
20 got first money in four or more
events. Maymack, 208 1-2, with twelve
winning starts, heads the list Of the trot-
tiers, while College Gent. 200 Id, was the
winning PAGER. Judged by the starts, as he
led in eleven races, all Of which were in
the Northwest.
NV Jtui' luilHB
been instituted on this side of the Atlantic,
have contests between trotters and PAGERS
been viewed by so many people as In 1913.
There were the usual number Of disap-
pointments. several meetings failing TO
pan out as expected, yet, the great mid
die class" Of meetings. as they may be
termed. had extremely few failures. Cir
cults, which were carefully managed, were
successful, in many instances far beyond
expectations. Aside from the few excep-
tons that have been kept before the pub
lie. associations carried out their obliga-
tons with admirable promptness. And
the conclusive proof that the past season
was successful is that greater preparations
are going forward for 1914 than ever be-
fore were apparent at this time Of the
year.