San Andreas independent., 1857-11-07
Great Match Race in Stockton.

Great Match Race in Stockton.
One of the most exciting, lively and interest
ing races that ever occurred in this county,
says the San Joaquin Republican, took place
yesterday, (Monday, Nov. 80 over the Central
Course, between Mr.. Hinkle's bay horse Old
George and Mr.. Jerome Foxs bay horse Pat
Gallagher, (bettcr known as Cottage Boy. y
The match was made during the fall races over
the above Course, the terms being, single dash
of mile-to rule-for s 900 side, one-half
of the whole amount being put up as forfeit
at the time. Subsequently side bet of 500
side added to the original bet, making
total amount of $4,000. Many outside bets
were made from day to day, Old George being
the favorite with the mass \
Thousands of dollars were
speedily put up in the hands of shareholders,
in sums ranging from $40, $50 and 500, and
still the hackers of the 'slittle horse" were
shaking their bags of diminished coin, and in
viting "bct' against their favoritc This
somewhat cooled the ardor of some of the
friends of Old George and made them shy of
betting, while others went their bottom dollar
on him, and then bet their horses upon which
they had ridden to the course.
The fact was apparent that the hackers of
Gallagher out-bet their opponents on the whole
and to the moment of starting were anxious
for "customcr." Indeed, quarter of an
hour previous to starting of the horses. one of
the heaviest hackers of Gallagher, finding it
difficult matter to obtain an even bet changed
his banters, two to one on his favorite to
which he obtained n ready response from many
OF the luke-warm friends of Old George. who
had been previously chary of their funds
This gentleman is said to have lost some So
700 90 on the race in bets ranging from $50
up to $3.50, and actually seemed displeased
after the race was over, that he could not have
found somebody previous to the race, that
would have scaled y him for all the money he
had-somc 81 900 more.
Many of the hackers of Old George. how
ever, bet all they had one of them offered to
bet his ranch, worth several thousand dollars.
against 81 900, but did not succeed This
gentleman, however, won $500 in cash. and
nine horses, on the result of the race We
heard a number of the hackers of Old George
regret that they had no more money to bet and
one of them said he had bet every dollar he
had in the world.
AT ,, P. NJ, the Judges took the stand and
ordered up the horses Both animals strpped
well, and were evidently in fine condition.
The horses were weighted at l00fbs. each, and
on the riders being weighed. they drew for po-
sitions, the inside falling to Pat Gallagher
After some five or six false starts they got the
word at an even start, but before reaching the
first quarter pole, old George took the lead
lnnoth in advancn which ha ,oanora1
crease to some three lengths before reaching
the half mile pole, where Gallagher closed up
little, but soon fell back again AT the turn
on the home stretch, Gallagher made des-
perate brush, but was speedily left at a still
greater distance in the rear, Old George COM
ing into the score at least thirty feet ahead,
amidst the most intense excitement and cheer
ing and clapping of hands of his friends.
REcAPITULATIoN:
Geo Kirk names b. h., Old George .......l
Geo. Beecher names b. h., Pat Gallagher.
Time-l:54I.
This result was most unexpected to the over.
sanguine hackers of Pat Gallagher, and sur
prised them, as well as Others not little
The fact was, they had not oyer-rated their
own fayorite, but had greatly underrated their
opponent. 1t was a handsomely contested
race without break or fault in either horse
The time made within half minute of
the best time made at the late Central Course
Fall Races, performed by Pacific Eagle.
Old George was seven years old last spring.
and stands sixteen hands l inch high. lie
arrived in California from across the Plains in
1898, and has been kept in livery stable in
county, for two or three years, and
was not known as racer until quite recently.
He certainly does not look the fast mao that
he is. Pat Gallagher is also seven wear old
last spring, and stands fourteen and half
hands high. He was brought to this country
from across the plains in 1856, by Parley T.
Pratt, the Mormon preacher, who was killed
some months since, and who won race with
him within the first two or three days after
bis arrival at Sacramento. He is fine ami
nal, and has all the appearance of a racer,
which he is, and that of no mean note, though
beaten in the present contest.