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RECALLING THE OLD DAYS AT WOODBINE. Trainer John Gravers Records Tells of Interesting Happenings of Thirty-One Years Ago. The prohibition of two-year-old racing prior to April 1 has not had any serious opposition on the Merita cif the principle that it was in the best interests c-f the- breed, end none of than who have- objected to it have raiseel the historical c|iu-stion or argued that it was not shown that such racing was injurious. The-ir case might have been supported by reference to the past, even if the instances were not such as might be consiele-reel affonling evidence of undoubted value. One such I find in a relic- of raring records that has ln-en preserved by trainer John Graver of Woodbine, not bee-ause of the Ke-ntucky story it tells, but on account of the Canadian report it includes in its story of thirty-one years ago. It tells of the May and June meetings at Woodbine and Louisville, and in the latter is ine-lude-d the runnijig of the Rnnnymedc Stakes for two-year-olds. The-y ran on the seventh of June, not specially early for youngsters, but the distance-was three-epiarters of a mile, which they are nowadays not asked to go until much later in the year. Sam Rryants General Harding was the winie-r. With Isaac Murphy riding. Ascalon was second and Rob Miles, the favorite, third. Sherielan rode Ascalon, and the Canadian jockey Harry Ulaylock. was an Rob Miles. 1urses were small, from 50 to 50. and the stake had 00 of added money. The- speculation was by auction pools, in which Rob Miles sedd for 00. General Harding 55, the Megibben entry 0 and Loftus 5. Ulaylock was the most sucevssful rider of the meeting, with Murphy and Spellman next. Woodbine Story One of Interest. The Woodbine story is one of more interest, and deals with many mire characters, human and equine, well known on the Canadian turf. It was the year of Roddy Pringb-s Plate, 1885, when the son of Helmbeld won for Charles Iloyle of Woodstock, and was the first of his age to take elown tan Guineas. The horses went a mile and a half then and for much less than todays reward to the victor. The Plate of 1885 had only 0 added to the guineas and stakes, instead of the ,000 of the present day. A colored boy named Smith rode Roddy Pringle, and Allie Gates was sei-ond on his own horse, Williams. The late John Forbes of Woodstock, furnished the third horse, another three-year-old, and a good one, the Princeton filly. Princess Louise. Marquis Orkney, Inspector. Athlete, Hercules and Wild Deer were unplaced. Athlete, by Judge Curtis, and owned by the late "Dick" Crew of the Kingston road, was ridden by Graver. Purses were not rich at Woodbine, cither, in those days, but good horses ran. and ran frequently for small money. Allie Gates Disturbance and Charles Boyles Ada Glenn ran in the opening race, a 50 purse at three-•aartera, and came back again in the third race at a mile and an eighth, which Ada Glenn won, with Graver up. Secretary A. R. Loudon of the Hamilton Jockey Club was a rider and owner then, and won the Welter Cup. 00, on Gilt Edge, from Fleu-rette and Dr. Smiths Dundee. Yes, and the Boyle colors were seen in jumping races, too, in those days, with Annette winning two dashes over hurdles. On the second day Disturbance again beat Ada Glenn in the opening sprint, and both of them were beaten by Bonnie Bird in the mile heat race that followed, though Disturbance won the first of the three heats that were necessary to a decision. The high cost of living was not so pressing then, and all this was done for 3450. — Toronto Globe.
