TROTTING Nevele Pride Described As Greatest Trotter

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 5

TROTTING Nevele Pride Described As Greatest Trotter

The three-year-old, Nevele Pride, is being acclaimed as the greatest trotter of all time after his dashing win in the Dexter Cup at Roosevelt Raceway, New York, last week.

Nevele Pride is apparently a class above all the other trotters in his age group and he is expected to finish the season with record stake-winnings. The management of Roosevelt Raceway barred Nevele Pride from the betting in the Dexter Cup. says “Newsweek.” This is considered a great compliment to the horse as It meant that he was such a “sure thing” that the track would lose money paying off the required 5 per cent return on every dollar invested on him. “1 think it's a shame.” said Nevele Pride's driver. S. Dancer, before the race “Some people might want to bet a few dollars on the colt

Just to keep the ticket for a 1 souvenir.” RICH RACE The Dexter Cup gave i Nevele Pride, the world’s fastiest juvenile trotter, a chance ! for his richest win. The race carried a stake of $166,746. Hardly anyone doubted that he would win, but Dancer still worried for just more than :two minutes of racing time—until the colt coasted past the ' post four lengths in front. The race was considered as challenging as any of Nevele Pride's 30 wins. He started from No. 7 at the barrier and lost ground on the outside for the first six furlongs before going to the lead. Twice he was forced three wide—a disadvantage which would finish a lesser horse—and several times Dancer was almost pulled from the sulky as the champion fought to trot over the horses in front of him. UNANIMOUS VIEW Horsemen are virtually unanimous that Nevele Pride is the greatest trotter of all time. The, colt cost the Slutsky family—who own a resort hotel in the Catskills—a modest $21,000. Last week they sold a half interest in him to the radio executive, i Mr L. Resnick, for “more than a million dollars.” Nevele Pride lost only two races last spring and one more i in September when another runner broke stride and collided with him. Nevele Pride's most dramatic feat came last summer at Du Quoin. Trotting in 100degree heat the colt won a two-year-old race in the record

time of Imin 58 4-ssec. The following day Speedy Streak won the Hambletonian, the premier race for three-year-olds. in 2min. Many trainers are less impressed with the records than with the way they have been achieved. Nevele Pride is a perfectly-gaited trotter, which needs little of the elaborate toe-weighting and balancing equipment needed to keep some horses on stride. KICKS, BITES Nevele Pride is described as a terro in his- stall, kicking and biting at anyone who ventures near him, but his temper translates into competitive spirit in races. “Watching him trot,” says D Miller, one of America’s most respected trotting figures, “is like watching Sam Snead swing a golf club.”

Methven Club Presentation

Two members of the committee of the Methven Trotting Club who are retiring from the executive after a total of 65 years service were guests at a complimentary dinner and presentation function. They are Messrs J. H. McKendry and D. G. Holmes. Mr McKendry has been on the committee. and been a steward, for 41 years,, since the club s formation in 1927. Mr Holmes has held these positions for 24 years. Both men and their wives were presented with a crystal water set and tray by the president (Mr J. W. Thomas).