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PACIFIC COAST PROSPECTS Running and Trotting Horsemen Getting Together to Co-operate for Racings Restoration. BY F. L. McKENNEY. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., November 18. A new order of things in racing matters out this way has been noted by keen observers in the last few months. The change from other years is symbolized by the "happy family" feeling among trainers of the running horse and harness horsemen in the colony at Pleasanton, the horse haven of the West. The two factions of horsemen have been pulling at cross purposes for many years in California witli neither group getting anywhere. Euddenly a light seems to have dawned upon all concerned that they are not the enemies they mistakenly supposed and now all is harmony. The harness horsemen are preparing their charges for racing early next spring in various towns of California and it is not altogether impossible that the thoroughbreds will he given the opportunity of showing what they can do with the colors up. The Pleasanton track lias been put into tiptop condition for training operations and that means all is in readiness for a race meeting or two whenever the word comes from "headquarters" for the move. In this case "headquarters" is the office of Rod Mackenzie, owner of the track. A. recent Rodeo at the course witii running, harness, cowboy, mule and other kinds of racing packed the picturesque plant, demonstrating people hereabouts are yearning for the return of the great sport. Pleasanton is ideally situated, as it can be reached either by train or automobile in little more than half an hour from San Francisco, Oakland; San Jose and other important centers of population. The town is taking on the lively appearance of other days since the track has been opened to the horses. Towns folk buttonhole you on the corners to dilate nt length on the past glories of the pretty little place "glories that are dimmed, but not gone forever," they say. After ..watching, fifty or at the track, with the trotters ""going the reverse way of. the: course and the runners in the harrowed ground near the rail, one is inclined to agree with the Pleasanton citizens that a bright, future is before them. Both the main course, a mile ellipse, and a half-mile training track are .in use. For the first time in many years horsemen of the San Francisco bay section are not at h loss what to do when they have a few hours leisure at their disposal. "Lets go out to Pleasanton," is a suggestion that seldom falls on deaf ears toward the end of cacli week, even in these winter days. No visiting horsemen is allowed to leave San Francisco without at least one trip to the training ground. One of the latest visitors to sing the praises of the town nestling at the foot of wooded foothills of the coast range mountains is Walter Palmer, noted horse show judge. Mr. Palmer stopped here on the way to Portland to officiate at the Pacific International Livestock Show. For some years he has made his home at Ottawa, 111; But after getting a good long glimpse at Pleasanton, even on a rather chilly morning, he determined to spend a good part of each twelve months hereafter not far from the Alameda County town. Walter B. Jennings, Major Sven Christenson, Mr. Palmer and other horsemen made up a party that visited Pleasanton one day last week. Adolph B. Spreckels has nineteen thoroughbreds of his own breeding at the track and often motors out to see them gallop. George Van Gorden. owner of El Riposo Stock Farm, Contra Costa County, has his string of young horses at the course in charge of Dr. J. E. Lovell. All of the runners are in good health, which means their owners Invariably return heme from their Pleasanton jaunt in the best of spirits.
