HAMLIN AND SPEED DEVELOPMENT 



lln, besides I would not put up a forfeit of $5000 

 and run the risk of the mare going wrong. I will, 

 however, match Belle Hamlin against Sunol for 

 $5000 a side, $2500 forfeit, over any track mutu- 

 ally agreed upon, the winner to take sixty per cent, 

 of the earnings and the loser forty per cent. 



" Yours truly, 



" C. J. Hamlin.'* 



As forty per cent, of the gate would secure the 

 loser against financial loss, the proposition was not 

 entertained. 



Mr. Hamlin was a practical horseman, and he 

 could train and drive, as well as breed, a fast trotter. 

 It was in November, 1887, that he drove the two 

 mares. Belle Hamlin and Justina to a double-harness 

 record to wagon at Buffalo of 2.18. He early 

 learned the truth that two horses well mated can 

 trot faster double than single, because they encourage 

 each other and divide the weight handicap, and so 

 he buckled the draw strap on Belle Hamlin's side 

 shorter than on Justina's side. This made the faster 

 mare. Belle Hamlin, take the greater part of the 

 load. The handicap was so perfect that the two 

 trotted as one horse. At the three-quarter pole he 

 tapped Justina on the back with the whip, which 

 caused her to move up and relieve for a moment Belle 

 Hamlin of the load. Belle quickly rallied under this 

 short respite, and then again stretched the traces, and 

 the mile was finished quite resolutely. It was a per- 

 formance which attracted wide attention, and it was 



143 



