The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-08-30
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The Ksees at Forest City Park.


The weather of yesterday afternoon WAS no,
remarkably propitious for the opening of the
four days races at Forest City Park, and fol
this reason, we presume, the attendance was
not so large as it would otherwise have been.
Nevertheless, quite large number of specta-
Tors were present, and the race proved to be one
OF the most interesting ever trotted upon the
| Course. The match for $780, between John
Gilpin and Prince Boy did not coma Oh, Prince
| Boy not coming to time, and the interest OF the
| day centered upon the race for horses that had
| never beat $50. For this purse there were
iaht entries but only three horses started. The
| bay stallion, King William, driven by George
| FL. Bailey; the bay mare Belle, driven by G.
| NJ Delany, and the bay gelding, Billy Bum
| pus, driven by John f. Haines Previous to
| to the race, King William was the favorite in
the poo-selling, Belle being the second choice
AT about o'clock the horses were rung up
and after considerable delay they took their
positions. The pole was awarded to Billy
Bumpus, King William second, and Belle
outside. .....-.....
FIRST HEAT.-After scoring three times, a
send-off was effected, the mare being some uis.
lance behind. When the word was given,
Bumpus at once took the lead, footing rapidly,
and exhibiting square trotting gait with little
or no inclination to break. Along the back
stretch, King William gained somewhat upon
Bumpus, and the mare gradually decreased the
distance between herself and King William.
These relative positions were maintained dur
ing the second half mile, until on swinging
round into the homestretch Bailey piled the
whip vigorously, and made desperate effort to
pass Bnmpus, but only succeeded in reaching
his wheel, the gelding still keeping his square,
honest gait, which DO shouts or excitement
could break up, and winning the heat by
length in 1852.
After this evidently unexpected event, the
spectators became somewhat disconnected, not
knowing which of the horses to name as the
favorite. The result of this was that the pool
selling was somewhat mixed. King William
and Bumpus alternately selling as favorites
SECOND HEAT.-After one or two attempts
at starting, the word was given, although King
William broke under the wire at the very mo-
ment Bumpus settled down to his work, taking
the lead, closely followed by the mare, who was
trosting at rapid gait, and evidently to take
the pole. She succeeded in collarIng Bumpus,
and the horses trotted along the back stretch
like a double team, while the spectators
watched the contest with the utmost interest
At last the mare went off her feet and Tell IN
tne rear IN which position she continued until
near the three-quarter pole, when Bumpus
broke and the mare took the lead, Kiag Viii. /
ham meanwhile closing up the gap which had
been opened between him and the other horses
by reason OF the unfortunate start On swing.
ing into the home stretch the horses were all in
a bunch, and the race to the stand was remark
aoly close and exciting. The mare had almost |
reached the stand, and sal the prize already |
within her grasp, when she went of her feet. |
and despite the desperate efforts of Delany to /
maintain the lead, Bumpus came down at a /
spanking gait, passed the mare and came un- |
der the wire the winner of the heat by about /
two lengths in 2:53
After this heat the gelding became the de-
cded favorite, although the friends of the other
horses had strong hopes that they might win
the next and deciding heat.
THIRD HEAT.-The drivers evidently felt |
extre mely anxious as to the result, and the con-
sequence was much tedious scoring and Jock
eying. At last the word was given, Bumpus
again leading, and the mare taking the second |
position. Along the back stretch King Will
liam collared and passed the mare, and a close
and exciting contest for the lead occurred. But |
although Bailey urged the stallion to his
utmost speed, he could not change his posi-
ton, or the ultimate result of the race, Bum
pus winning the heat ana race by about four
lengths in 2:49 IL.
The second money was given to King Will
liam, and for the third to Belle
Thus ended one of the best races ever trotted
IN this vicinity, and which proved an occasion
Of the greatest interest to all who were so for
innate as to witness it. Messrs j. f. Libby,
Kit Larkin, and Turne, acted as judges, to the
'ntire satisfaction of the spectators. This after.
loon, at halt past two o'clock, there will be
wo races which will undoubtedly prove ex-
remedy interesting. One for horses that have
lever beaten three minutes, for which there |
re eleven entries, including King William,
'ohn Gilpin, Kate Sharp, White Stocking, |
md other well-known horses. For the 2:4O
purse, there are seven entries, including Daniel
Booze, Gen. Joe Hooker, Gentle Annie, and
Honest Shaker