RACEALONG 25 



In the interval Charter Oak Park continued on its 

 way, giving two meetings a year, one in June and 

 the other in the Grand Circuit, the dates usually be- 

 ing in August. Finally in 1883 Burdette Loomis de- 

 cided that Hartford should have something different. 

 He submitted a plan for a $10,000 purse for 2:20 

 trotters. 



The event was named the Charter Oak Purse. The 

 first proved one of the greatest contests ever seen at 

 the old course. John Goldsmith won with Director 

 from a large field in which Fanny Witherspoon and 

 Wilson were the leaders. Phallas was also a starter 

 in the event. He was unplaced. The following year 

 he reduced Smuggler's stalhon record of 2 : 151/4 made 

 at Hartford in 1876 to 2:133/4. 



The series of contests for the Charter Oak Purse 

 presents one of the most brilliant chapters in turf 

 history. Harry Wilkes, the first leader of the Wilkes' 

 family, won the event in 1884. Joe Davis secured the 

 honors in 1885. 



The following year Oliver K., driven by his owner 

 George Forbes, led the procession. He was owned in 

 Cleveland which was also the home of Patron, the 

 winner in 1887. This horse deserves special mention 

 as he was the first Kentucky bred three-year-old 

 trotter to beat 2 :20. 



Spofford won in 1888 with John Turner in the 

 sulky. In 1889 Alcryon defeated Nelson. The next 

 two renewals went to C. J. Hamlin wrth Prince Re- 

 gent and Nightingale, both of which were by Mam- 

 brino King and bred at the Village Farm. Another 



