National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-13
ANoNe TEE FRoTrERs.
THE RACE AT PrNEY BRANCH JESTER
DAY-BELLE OF GETTYSBURG THE
WINNER.

4
THE RACE AT PNEY BRANCH YEsTER-
DAY-BELLE OF GETTYSBURG THE
/ WINNER.
Yesterday afternoon there was an exceeding
" large attendance OF the Piney Branch track,
to witness the sWeepstake race for q purse of
three hundred dollars, given under the aus
pices of the Washington Trotting Association.
The weather, although warm, was most favor
able, and the trot proved one Of the most ex-
citing and interesting for years. The track
was In excellent condition and has, since It be-
/ came the property by lease Of the association,
been somewhat improved. Opposite the
judges stand Mr.. Fred Rohrer, the proprietor
Of the hotel, has erected 9 substantial bar
room, and above it arranged Wen-built set OF
the entire track. The old seats have been en-
| tirely removed.
The race was best three IN five to wagons
for purse Of $500, with the following entries
5. b. Honest John, driven by Chris. Hopper;
br. m. Belle of Gettysburg, by Allan Dorsey;
b. m. Maggie Duyal, by ODE sanderson.
The judges were General Morgan L. Smith,
A. ]. Whiting and Mr.. salisbury; time-keeper
Mr.. o. w, Hayes. g. aa 10 -.
Before the race bets were freely offered on the
Belle against the field, and during its progress
there was considerable money changed hands
on time and heats.
The best Of good nature and order was OBJ
served throughout, and none who went to wit
ness the sport returned dissatisfied. At 80,
the hour named, the toss for position resulted
as follows: Belle first, Maggie second, John
third. After scoring three times o good start
was got, and the word Ego" given, the animals
being well together, but before the second turn
had been made the Belle and Maggie both broke
badly, and John shot ahead. Both mares,
however, soon got down to their work, and be-
fore the half mile was reached were pushing
the old veteran sorely. Up the back stretch
they went, each working hard, and about the
three-quarter pole Belle passed John and came
down the home stretch In good style, winning
in 2:4611; John second.
In the second heat they again got q good
start, and up the back stretch they worked so
well and 90 closely that It was impossible to
tell which was ahead.
The excitement at this time in the stand was
considerable, the friends of each horse being
sure that their fayorite would win the heat.
A little beyond the quarter pole the Belle
broke badly, aud lost half dozen lengths.
Allan, however, soon had her down TO work, .
and by the time the half mile was reached she
had recovered considerable of the lost ground,
and was doing her level best to get the re-
mainder.
On the back stretch she kept her feet well,
anu gTaQQelly OllllnlSQeQ the distance until
she Tapped the old Sorrel about the point
where she had lost on the first round. They
then hung together, and down the home
stretch they came neck and neck amid the
shouts Of the assemblsge, and while within
few yards of the stand she made q fearful eff
fort, gained step, and passed under the wire
the winner Of the heat by halt . neck in PAS.
In the third heat all three came up well and
the start was good, but hardly had they got
the word before John broke and run about
fifty yards; he caught we'll, however, and in
bunch the three worked their way to the quar-
ter pole, then the Belio shot ahead, John fol-
lowing closely and Maggie dropped little to
the rear. In this order they passed under the |
first half, and then John made o desperate |
effort, and although he did not succeed he !
maintained his reputation for Honesty" Up
the back stretch he collared the Belle, with |
Maggie close on the sulky wheels, and in this |
position, each doing their best, they came down |
the home stretch, the Belle winning the heat |
and race in 2:491, John second; there being |
less than two lengths between the three
horses.
SUMMARY.
Piney Branch track, sweepstake purse $500,
mile heats, three in five to harness.
br. n. Belle Of Gettysburg 1 1 II
;. b. Honest John 2 2 2
b. IN. Maggie DuvaIl 8 5
90 O.An