264 HANDBOOK OF THE TURF. 



it is the result of contraction, as is often the case, it is an 

 unsoundness. 



Tilting- Table. An operating table used by veterinary- 

 surgeons in casting a horse. The animal is placed close to the 

 table, as to a wall. His head, body and legs are securely 

 strapped to it, and, by means of adjustable levers operated by 

 a crank and cogs, the table is brought down to a horizontal 

 position, and the horse is lying on his side upon it ready to be 

 operated upon. 



Time. This word, as applied to races, is used to indi- 

 cate the duration of time which it takes a horse to go a given 

 distance, in order to ascertain the greatest speed attainable, or 

 the greatest distance which can be passed over in a given time. 

 All races in this country are timed by official timers, or judges, 

 the time is recorded, and set against the horse making the 

 fastest time in a heat or race, the time always being taken 

 from the horse first to pass under the wire at the finish. On 

 the English turf there is no official record of time made at 

 races. To what a degree breeding and training have improved 

 the trotting time in this country in seventy years, is shown by 

 the following outline table : In 1820, the best mile in harness 

 was about 3:00; in 1830, the best mile in harness was 2:40; 

 in 1840, the best time under saddle was by Dutchman, 2:28 ; 

 in 1850, the best time under saddle was by Lady Suffolk, 

 2:26^ ; in 1860, the best time in harness was by Flora Temple, 

 2:19f ; in 1870, the best time in harness w^as by Dexter, 2:17|; 

 in 1880, the best time in harness was by Jay-Eye-See, 2:10; 

 in 1890, the best time in harness was by Sunol, 2:08;^; in 

 1893, the best time in harness was by Directum, 2:05^. 



There commonly has to be a coiijvinction of favorable circumstances, 

 in order to enable a horse to make extraordinary time. Therefore, 

 when it is found that one which has not made such time, can beat 

 those which have, race after race, all of Ihem being apparently in 

 good condition, a reasonable presumption is raised that the trotter 

 ■ in question will, at no distant day, beat the time at the head of the 

 record, as well as the horses which made it. — The Trotting Horse of 

 America, Hiram Woodruff. 



Timer. A chronograph; a split-second watch used in 

 taking the time made by horses in a race. 



Timer. A person appointed as timing judge, to take 

 the time made by the horses in each heat. The National rules 

 require that two official timers shall take the time of the horses 

 in races ; the American rules require three, and the rules of 

 the Turf Congress say there shall be "one or more, not to 

 exceed three." These officials are appointed by the president 

 of the track or association, or they may be appointed by the 

 judges. Id announcing the time made, it is usual, where there 



