Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-27
HORSEMEN RETURN
FROM COAST RACES
Tell of the Great Race Put Up by
Hal Boy, Speedy Omaha Horse
Owned by Peterson.
PUT o. K. ON NEW OMAHA TRACK
ny .. X. MURRAY

by p. X. MURRAY
Return of the Omaha men who wit
messed the San Francisco exposition
races and days visit here by Marvin
and Frank Childs and Lon Mcdonald.
noted drivers. were the features Of the
week in the harness game In this city.
The visitors were en- route to Cleveland
and Indianapolis from San Francisco.
They were guests Of Ed Peterson and
Otis Smith. president and secretary of
the Omaha Driving club, all day Friday.
Mr., Peterson and Tom Dennison returned
earlier in the week from the exposition.
Details of the $4,000 pacing race, in
which Hal Boy, Mr.. Petersons do-or-die
racing gelding. won the last two of five
heats and second place, were discussed
by these men. who certainly can qualify
as authorities on the subject. and some
criticism of methods at San Francisco
was voiced.
"Nntive Sons" Felt.
It seems that the worship of the native
son." who TO Californlans is as the rising
sun is to the pagans, made itself felt in
the races out there and imposed a handi-
cap in favor Of White sox, Durfee's
entry in the $4,000 pace, which Just about
made the difference between first and
second place to Hal Boy.
II should not be understood that Mr..
Peterson. who owns Hal Boy, nor Marvin
Childs, who drove him, 81 doing any
kicking nor wasting his time in vain
regrets. They long ago accumulated the
wisdom which precludes any such attitude
of mind or conversation, and, besides,
they are going to continue racing the
rest of the season and it wouldn't be
tactful of them to go about criticizing
racing officials. More than that. they.
In common with all the other Omaha
horsemen. feel that San Francisco is de-
serving of great credit for what It has
done for the harness horses at San Fran
cisco.
DennisOn's Views.
1t il also true that the presiding Judge
and starting judge were we'll known
horsemen who are not residents of Calf
fornia. Now. after having stated in ad-
vance the defense of the Californians,
let us hear the case against them, which
iF advanced by Tom Dennison. than whom
there is no more accurate judge of men
and events. The same statement he
made here he also made right there in
California and made 1t for publication.
The race was believed before the
horses started to lie between Hal Boy
and White sox, with The Beaver and o.
u. O.. OF course, each having a chance"
he said. I'm a field of seventeen. which
racer got the pole in the drawing for the
first heatc Why, II was White sox,
driven by Durfee OF California and car
rying a load Of California money on her
back.
Hal Boy Outside.
Hal Boy was assigned to the outside
position in the second tier, having to
travel long mile and go through a
bunch OF horses to get to the leader. The
horse which drew second position was
one whom 1t was not safe to trail.
Then the judges relaxed the striot at
titude which they had for the most part
maintained toward drivers who came
down ahead OF the Held and White SoN
got away next the pole. lengths in ad-
vance and flattened out In her best stride.
She won the first heat and the second.
although In the latter one Hal Boy paced
a faster mile than she did and finished
at her throat latch. II was her success
in tho first two heats while other good
horses were struggling to get into po-
sition to do business which resulted in her
eventual victory. according 10 the final
standing of the horses in summary.
PAGES Great Race.
cit Is true that White Sox paced an
excellent mile in the fifth heat. which
Hal Boy won. and by means OF II ellnched
her victory. but ] am not denying that
she is a grand race mare, ] am simply
stating the facts about the race from
which conclusions can be drawn"
II Is worthy OF note that the Omaha
men who had expected to back Hal Boy
extensively TO win the race did not do
so after he had drawn the unfavorable
position IN the first heat They placed
some wagers on the latter heats Of the
contest.
Great Half Mile Track.
Lon Mcdonald and Messrs. Frank and
Marvin Childs were enthusiasts over the
revival Of the harness sport In Omaha.
They looked at the new track ~ the East
Omaha speedway and proclaimed il one
OF the best new half-mile tracks which
they had seen.
Secretary smith Of the driving club
has already received a number Of entries
TO the harness meeting OF August SOL
Entries will close July l.
The 2;l3 pace. announced for this meet
ing, has been changed TO the 2;l2 pace.
according to published statements in the
weekly horse Journals. Some misunder-
standing arose In connection with this
notice. and the officials have decided
that is Is best 10 make the change. al
though they had been reluctant 10 do 10