The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-31
Goshen Track Is Rich in
Harness Racing Memories

GOSHEN. y. Y. August 30. 191s-NQ
section Of the United States has a
greater charm for those who love n good
horse than Orange county, and this
lovely village in the heart OF a region
truly historic from an equine view
point &c the Mecca To- racing enthusi-
asts during the first week in August,
when a three day programme is decided
over the picturesque half mile course
which is located in the very centre of
the town.
No other race melting held in America
compares with It from sportsman's
outlook as It Is betless and given as a
tribute to the harness horse by Mrs. L.
H. Hartman. 1t is hallowed ground
over which tho horses race. Admirers
OF the thoroughbred and standard. bred
alike approach it with reverence when
Trey recall that Messenger, the imported
thoroughbred whose blood Is found in
the pedigrees of many OF our best
horses and who fathered the great
American trotting family. held court
SIC III loU1 ulSpldySu MS
proportions beneath the majestic oak
which still rears its sturdy crest near
the head OF the stretch.
The hoof beats OF the thoroughbred
made music in he Goshen hillsides from
1905 until 1870. when Orange county
attracted the attention of the balance OF
the country through the excellence of its
trotting horses From that time TO the
present harness racing has been con-
tlnuous and worlds records have been
made over the splendid oval.
Great Rivalry I'm Early Days.
In the early days of racing in Goshen
there was great rivalry between Messen-
ger and Baronet. the latter also an
English horse OF blood. There were
many disputes as to the merits OF the
get of these horses, and a test at mile
heats. best two in three, for three-year-
ODDS was finally arranged. This race
was held In 1905 and thirteen went TO
the post. The produce of Messenger
finished first. second and third, the vic
tor gray like his immortal sire In
fortunately Messenger was removed
from Orange county about this time, but
he had RENAME long enough to demon
strate his wonderful prepotency. His ac-
complishments and qualities can best be
described by quoting that eminent au-
thority John II. Wallace, who said after
referring to the fact that Messenger had
ed Millers Damsel, the dam of Amer
lean Eclipse:
s"BUt Messenger Is better known now
az the ancestor of a tremendous tribe
of trotting horses whose name is legion
We have seen how Mambrlno not only
got fine race horses In England but
al u-hn far
has endured ever since and got many
weight carrying hunters, His own son
Messenger, repeated these achievements
In America, and we hold hie best line Of
trotters to be that very direct one which
has come through Mambrino and Alb
dallah to Hambletonian.
Sire OF Good Horses.
wherever Messenger sent a son, espe-
cially II he had access 10 good mares,
fine. stout, long lived race OF horses
was the result. There are not in the
history OF the turf. or in the stud book,
or in traditions Of the general breeders,
any two horses from whom has flown
such peculiar, such general and such
varied excellence as Mambrino in Eng
land and his son Messenger in this
country"
In such an atmosphere as this the
trotting horse became type. Gold,
smith Maid. Dexter and other immor-
tails were born in Orange county and
went forth to astonish the world, the for
mer racing from her sixth to her twen-
tieth year, equalling her own worlds
record of 2;14 when she was Is years
of age and earning the enormous sum
OF 1850 This is a greater total than
Sysonby, Domino. Colin or any of the
other great money winners OF the thor
ouShbred family in the United States
won during their careers. Alden Gold
smith and his sons. James and John,
kept Orange county In the forefront
wherever the harness horse was raced,
while the products OF Charles Backman;s