THE AMERICAN TROTTER AND PACER 



59 



The speed of the trotter is the main factor influencing values, 

 and the speed record of an animal or its relationship to such 

 will essentially affect its selling price. As might be expected, foals 

 occasionally change 

 hands at large prices 

 based on pedigree and 

 speed records of the 

 family. The speed of 

 the trotter has been 

 constantly improved, 

 until the end of 1919 

 saw records that would 

 not have been thought 

 possible by persons 

 living a generation 

 ago. All of the stand- 

 ard racing records 

 have been materially 

 changed during the 



FIG. 1 7 A. Dan Patch, i=55i, by Joe Patchen. The 

 fastest pacer of record up to date, and one of the 

 leading sires of pacers. Purchased for $60,000 

 by M. W. Savage, Minneapolis, Minnesota. From 

 illustration by courtesy of Mr. Savage 



last fifty years. The 



following statement 



shows how this record, representing horses in harness and not 



under saddle, has been lowered between 1845 and 1918. Not 



every reduction in time is given, but enough to show the gradual 



process by which it took place. 



1 Timed with a wind shield, and pacemaker in front. 



