152 THE TWO-MINUTE PACERS 



the efforts of both for the year. William had started at 

 a few tracks during the season against the watch but his 

 best mile was in two minutes. He seemed to be a race 

 horse and nothing else. 



The year 1915 saw William at the top of his form and it 

 is of that year that Mr. Marvin speaks so confidently in his 

 letter. He began the season in the race for free-for-all 

 pacers at the Detroit Grand Circuit meeting, purse $5,000, 

 and after Directum I had won the first heat William won the 

 next two, and the race, in 2:02 and 2:04. The time was slow 

 because of the fact that the contending drivers were sparring 

 for advantage but the tremendous speed of William and his 

 superb condition made him master of the situation when time 

 came for the inevitable brush. The last appearance of 

 William that year with a professional driver was at Montreal 

 where he again defeated Directum I in 2:04, 2:00^/^. His 

 record race at North Randall has already been told in detail. 



As a member of the Billings stable William set a world's 

 record when his owner drove him a mile to wagon in 1:591/2, 

 the fastest mile ever driven by an amateur. He paced to 

 wagon in 1:59'^ for Mr. Billings at Lexington that fall. 



"Billy" Marvin should not be considered as having been 

 "made" by William. In other words, he had quite a repu- 

 tation as a capable trainer long before he brought out the 

 great son of Abe J. And the best evidence of his ability 

 is shown in the fact that when he was so fortunate as to get 

 one of the truly great he proceeded to handle, condition and 

 develop him properly and the result of his intelligent en- 

 deavor was one of the greatest pacers yet brought before 

 the public. It may be true, as many writers insist, that 

 "great horses make great drivers" but it is equally true that 

 it takes a great trainer to make a great horse. William was 

 a great horse and W. W. Marvin "made" him. 



William is a bay horse, foaled 1910, sired by Abe J. 

 2:10 pacing (son of San Meto 2:131/4) dam Lizzie C. by 

 Jaywood. He was bred by Mr. A. E. Vanatta, Otterbein, 

 Ind., and was owned by him during his racing career. 



