The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-10-16
Ths Running Race on Saturday.


For three or four years past Charles Delano,
Of THE city, has owned stallion called Lexi-
con," that has run his mile in 1:45, and no horse
has ever appeared in Ottawa that could measure
limbs with him. AT j. Milton Smiths horse
show at Mendoza, however, . running horse
called ."Cruiskeen" had made ssme excellent
time, sad being in all respects splendid horse
in appearance, WAS purchased by Mr.. Frank
Bruner, of the town Of Rutland. The "sports :"
made up their mind that "Cruiskesn" could beat
"Lexicon" in five mile race, and were not slow
to challenge Mr.. Del2no to q tilt. Mr.. d. finally
acnspted the challenge, and Mr.. Bruner con-
senting, race WAS arranged for last Saturday.
The affair was the town talk for week or two,
aud drew out very large crowd of spectators.
.e.5l THE TRACK
was found in very bad condition, the lain of
the previous night having made it slippery and
dangerous; but after couple OF hours Of hnr-
rowing and driving over it with buggies and
carriages, it was pronounced, though still wet
and soggy, in fit condition.
THE HORSES BROUGHT OUT.
Prompt to the hour appointed the horses were
brought out. Lexicon drew the pole, and toll
erably fair send off was obtained Considering
the condition OF the track the horses made
splendid speed. Lex. was little ahead at the
quarter pole, when the gray made brush and
Tapped, but was shaken off at the end of the
stretch. Passing the stand Lex. was several
lengths ahead. Aud now "came the tug of
Cru;aLaar ILL Al
steel, but fate was against him, and each success
sive time he was shaken off with ease Lexicon
winning the Leaf in 1.J4
SECOND HEAT.
After ths ordinary rest the horses were again
called up, and got beautiful send off; but by
some means or other it was decided by the
judges to be no heat. It was apparent to all the
| spectators that the second heat was as fair for
Cruiskeen the first had been for Lexicon, and
as it is our duty to gire the facts as they really
presented themselves, we must say that it was
one of the strangest decisions, if the Judges in
tended to be fair, that could have been made.
1t may be true that the judges did no. give the
word " co. but it is equally true they did not
call them back, aud after allowing the heat to be
ruu, it should have been decided in favor of the
winning horse, as they were not running tc
rule.
The balance of the performance WAS y mer,
burlesque. The horses were brought upon tn,
track at once, when it became apparent to al
that Lexicon not in a condition to run ;
two mil, heat, and the result proves the affsil
very concusively. .,
1t must be borne in mind that the majority @
people who go to amusemeuts of this kind do no
go fer the purpose of betting or buying pools
and if We may bs allowed tho suggestion, We
should say to the owners OF Lexicon and Cruis
keen, that an occurrence Ike Saturday wa
more calculated to disgust than to please tn,
public. No matter which horse wins, fairness t,
both parties should be granted, or it is very Ger
tain the respectable portion of the public viii
not attend.
Although, in the question: bic way we hav,
hinted, the race WAS given to Cruiskeep, it il
due to 4r. Bruner to state, that he is too honor
able man to claim an advantage when there ii
question made as to its fairness. He therefore
valves the decision of the judges in his favor
however honestly it may have been made, aud
consents to call the affair " no race and to rur
it over. The purse, instead of being $500, will
be . 81 ,000-the race to take place Oh y weel
from to-day, Oct %.