RACE ALONG 



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PETER MANNING'S OUTING 



In 1929 after Peter Manning had been let down 

 for the winter at the Hanover Shoe Farms, Law- 

 rence Sheppard and Tom Berry decided to turn him 

 out in a paddock. From the days when he was a 

 three-year-old back in 1919 the champion trotter of 

 the world had never been turned loose except in a 

 box stall. Romps over green fields were unknown 

 to the gelding which had thrilled thousands by his 

 flights of speed, first in races as a four-year-old and 

 later in his trips against time at one and two miles 

 over all kinds of tracks and under all sorts of con- 

 ditions. 



A pleasant day was selected for Peter Manning's 

 outing. When he was led into the paddock and his 

 halter removed the champion stood for a moment 

 and made a survey of the surrounding fields in which 

 brood mares and colts were grazing. This was fol- 

 lowed by a few snorts and a couple of bounds into 

 the air like a broncho in a rodeo. He then lashed out 

 with his hind feet as if he were trying to kick a fly 

 off the cap of the man who had him in charge. 

 Fortunately he was on the outside of the gate look- 

 ing at the antics of his pet. When Peter Manning 

 landed on all fours every muscle in his body was 

 tense. He quivered like a horse ready for a supreme 

 effort. 



The boss trotter was at liberty. He did not know 

 what to do with his freedom. Finally after cropping 

 a few mouthfuls of grass he started for a trip around 



