442 LIFE n^ITK THE TKOTTEES. 



outside. Everything is now ready to commence the race. 

 You drive back to the distance stand, and turn around to 

 score up. You get a little way, when you have to pull up sud- 

 denly as some fellow has a colt which will not turn around. 

 You go back again, and try hard to get a start, but some of 

 them will not come down a four-minute gait, and some 

 will run and act badly. After several attempts in this way 

 the judges call you back, warning you not to come so fast, 

 and wishing to obey them, your colt gets impatient under 

 the restraint. It is almost impossible to get a good even 

 start with live yearlings so early ui the season, especially 

 when several of them have never scored up before. If you 

 think you have the most speed it is better for you to go 

 well back and come down behind nodding for the word, 

 even if pretty well back, provided you have not found out 

 while scoring a hard one to beat. In this case do not throw 

 away a chance to win by trailing; but keep an eye out for 

 the one that is likely to make trouble and get off even with 

 him. But if none seem to be dangerous, by scoring down 

 behind you do not madden your colt by pulling him back, 

 and if you win you will probably give the other colts the go 

 by on the home stretch, which looks well and captivates 

 the audience. 



After seven or eight attempts the word is finally given 

 to a straggling start with your colt fairly well up and trotting 

 well. Some are running and breaking and some partly com- 

 ing to a standstill, expecting to turn around and go back. 

 Keep your whole attention on your own colt; do not be in 

 too much haste to get around them on the first turn, it is bet- 

 ter to drive a little wide than too close, to avoid accident. 

 When you get on the straight side of the track let the colt 

 go along to take advantage of the distance. It is much 

 easier to drive by then than to wait until you get to the 

 turn. You have disposed or them all but one as you enter 

 the home stretch, and are right on the leader's wheel. Lie 

 right there until fairly squared away for home, then make 

 your drive and do it with determination. You started away 



