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MAYBERRY TO TRAIN BILLINGS HORSES. New York, December 29. J. P. Mayberry has been engaged to train the horses of Frederick Johnson and, C. K. G. Billings next year. The engagement came as a Christmas gift to the trainer, who had been superseded by Dr. Tanner, the trotting manager of Mr. Billings, when Mr. Billings and .Mr. Johnson formed a partnership to race next year. Dr. Tanner has not been iu tho best of health and decided that he would be unable to fulfill the duties. .Mr. Johnson did not look any further than his old trainer and the job was tendered to Mayberry on Christmas day. There were no horses sent to the post in better condition last season than those handled by Mayberry. At Saratoga he had Cock o the Walk in superb fettle and after winning the important handicaps, there was talk of a match with Rock View to decide which was the best horse of the year. Mayberry was willing to send his horse out in a special race at the end of the meeting at the Spa, but Sam Hildrcth declared that Rock View was not in condition and the match fell through. The advent of Mr. Billings to the sKrt of thoroughbred racing will mean an increase in tile number of horses that Mayberry will have charge of next season. The thoroughbreds in the string are now at Belmont Park in the care of Louis. Strjibe, the stable foreman. There are fourteen in the lot. which includes a number of yearlings that are well advanced. It is the intention to ship some of the youngsters to ;fllarleston for the early juvenile races there, but the stable will not put its best foot forward until racing is opened in New York. Both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Billings have been liberal nominators for the various stakes that have already been closed, and it is a racing establishment that is sure to make a good showing during the coming season. Cock o the Walk is still In the stable and he will doubtless be one of the chief handicap. dcieinleiicies, though his record is such that he will undoubtedly have to carry big weights. The yearlings that are being fitted are all fashionably bred ami comprise a wonderfully good looking assortment.
