The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-26

GENTLE ANNIE WINS THE swEEPsTAKE RACE

The sweepstake race for purse of $3.50, be-
tween the grey mare Butter Ball, the black
mare Gentle Annie and the brown gelding
Mumm, drew but a comparatively small num-
Der of spectators to Forest City Park Saturday
afternoon, although the weather was delightful
and the prospect for a close and exciting con-
test remarkably good. Butter Ball was the
favorite in the pool, selling at large odds. On
drawing for positions the pole was awarded to
Butter Ball, with Gentle Annie second and
Mumm outside.
First Hedt-After much tedious and unwar-
ranted scoring the word was given. Butter
Ball at once shot ahead, with Gentle Annie
following in her wake. On the back stretch
Mumm succeeded in passing Annie and took
the second position. The positions were I'M
changed during the first half, but Mumm was
sent along the back stretch of the last half
mile at such rapid gait that he reached the
mares wheels, and on swinging into the home
stretch he showed in front Shortly after both
horses broke and Annie cut in and took the first
position There was agood deal of excitement
and talk at this unexpected result, and the
judges, after deliberate consultation, declared
that the heat was dead, on account of Butter
Ball being purposely pulled and held back by
her driver The time was 2.44 although it be-
ing dead heat it did not 60 upon record.
Second Hedt-Mr. George III. Bailey was put
behind Butter Ball by order of the judges, and
the horses got the word at the first scoring, al
though they broke just after it was given. But
ter Ball again went to the front and kept her
position during the first half closely pressed by
Annie. The latter went off her feet near the
stand on the home stretch and thus lost the adj
vantage she might possibly have gained. Butter
Bali continued to lead until the distance pole
was reached, when she few up and Annie
passed her and won by about four lengths in
245 Pa
Third Hedt-Once more the grey mare got the
advantage and obtained a clear lead. Annie
gained rapidly upon her along the back stretch,
but let up near the second turn ON the last half
and allowed Mumm to gain the second position,
which he soon lost, however, by a bad break
and the little mare regained the advantage. She
pressed Butter Ball closely, and the former
again went off her feet on the home stretch,
thus giving Annie the lead and making her the
winner in 2.40 IL. -
Fourth Heat-The odds were with Butter Ball
when the horses left the wire, and she kept her
lead until short distance below the stand on
the last half, when Annie went to the front
Soon after they both broke, but Annie settled
to her work and retained the place of honor
during the remainder of the heat, winning by
about five lengths. Time, 2.42. The first
money was therefore given to Gentle Annie, the
second to Butter Ball and the third to Mumm.
In this race Annie proved conclusively that
she possesses powers of speed and endurance
which make her no unworthy rival and, al
though some persons may have thought that
the race was fixed beforehand that she should
win, we are inclined to the opinion that the de-
feat Of Butter Ball was due to the simple fact
she was not in so good condition as usual and
was not the result of any fraud or conspiracy.
Surely Bailey had no interest to hold her back
and he certainly got all the speed out of her
that was possible under the circumstances.