THE AMERICAN TROTTING HORSE. 263 



on reductions. The present trotting record, 2 103 24 > held 

 by the bay mare Alix, has, however, stood a number of 

 years, while Star Pointer's 1 :59>4 at the pacing gait has 

 also stood several seasons. However, record reductions 

 seem to come in periods, and when once a break is made 

 both these marks will almost surely be reduced. That 

 it has not been accomplished before is attributed by many 

 to the fact that in our haste for money we have adopted 

 the colt plan of racing, the same as the thoroughbreds, 

 and many youngsters that in maturity could do the trick 

 are really shelved before that period by reason of the 

 strain upon them incident to the hard work necessary in 

 the preparation of a colt stake winner. Whether this evil 

 will correct itself remains to be seen, but some of our 

 largest breeders — the Hamlins, for instance — have al- 

 ready tabooed the method, and undoubtedly others will 

 follow the example. Of course it goes without saying 

 that trotting in America never before attained the popu- 

 larity which exists to-day. Barring a few metropolitan 

 centers, like New York, Chicago and San Francisco, it 

 holds sway over the whole country. It is the national horse 

 racing sport of America. There is more money invested 

 in the production of the trotting horse throughout the 

 country, by long odds, than in the production of any other 

 animal. The rank and file of our countrymen look upon 

 it as the cleanest and best racing sport, and it would in- 

 deed be a pessimist who cannot see prosperity and a 

 glorious future for this great breed. 



[Since the above was written The Abbot cut the world's 

 record to 2:03^ in 1900, while in 1901 Cresceus moved the time 

 limit for a mile to 2:02^.] 



