Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-03-18
THE MACKINAW RACES.


Davis, Peter McNally, James F. Cable,
John Chapman, Horace Todd, Patrick
Edward Bouchard and John
Snowman. AS the course was one of |
straight mile, it was necessary to have
judges at each end, and some along the |
track. Maj. Dickey and two others were
assigned the starting point; James j.
Brown, James F. Cable and John W. DAVIS
at the home stake; Patrick Murray at the
distance stake and the others along the
line.
Tuesday morning ope.ed up propitious-
ly, and representatives from the whole
northern section soon began to FLOCK into
the village, so that by noon, Mackinaw had
assumed about as lively an appearance as
ever it enjoyed. They came i'm all manner of
vehicles on runners, any thing that would
slip, was brought into requisition. The
day proved equal to the indications OF the
morning, and was all that could have been
wished for. The "Lo" family was very
largely represented on the occasion, com
ing from all points with their ponits.
INAUGURAL. RACE.
The first race, as per announcement, was
the inaugural race for purse of Sl25, $40
to the first, and $50 to the second horse
mile heats, two best in three, and open to
all horses owned in Mackinac, Cheboygan
and Chippewa counties on or previous to
Dec. 1st 1875. For this race the following
entries had been made.
Jared Dingman-b m, Mackinac Pet.
w ) Humphrey e z, Frank ii.
w s Humphrey-bg, q, Frank Mack.
Jasper Bezau-s m. Kitty Red.
Before the race was called, the latter
was withdrawn, leaving the contest be.
tween the Mackinaw mare and the two
Cheboygan horses. Promptly on time the
race was called and the horses sent off for
the
FIRST HEAT.
The horses got fair start on the second
trial, and came speeding along the track.
the mare soon taking the lead, which she
retained throughout the heat, coming in
some lengths in advance of Frank H., who
broke badly on the home stretch, and lost
ground by it. Frank Mack was so unfor-
tunate as to l Sc one of his shoes, when
| about half way over the course, and was
dstanced The heat was awarded to
Macknaw Pet, time 3 03.
SECOND HEAT.
After the usual interval, time was call
ed and the horses sent to the starting
point Considerable time was spent before
satisfactory send off was gained, the
horses scoring a number of times before
the judges would give the word go, but at
last it was accomplished, Frank II. taking
the lead closely followed by the mare, who
soon Tapped him and on they came, both
apparently straining every nerve, and com
| ing at gait that bid fair to make it close
ly contested and interesting heat, when
the horse was seen slipping in such man.
ner as left no doubt that he also had cast
shoe, which was the case, and his driver
brought him down to q walk. The mare
was urged to her full gait. and of course
distanced the horse, winning the heat and
consequently the race; time 3:01. Both
horses being diStanced, the mare, under
the rules, took both the first and second
moneys.
There seemed to be considerable regret
manifested by the greater portion of the
spectators, that the rules were so strictly
adhered to, many arguing that the rules
were not made to govern racing on the ice,
and that whilst upon regular track, the
loss of a shoe might not be considered in
the case of defeat, yet where it was of
hnn
all, as it certainly was in this case, an al
lowance should be made. Much dissatis-
faction was shown upon this point, it ap-
pearing to be the general desire to have the
matter decided upon the true merits of the
horses, and not by an unavoidable acci-
dent.
| THE PONY RACE.
| Quite large number of ponies were on
the ground. whose owners were anxious
to contest for the purses, but when they
found an entrance fee was required, they
would not pay; whether from lack of the
pecuniary consideration or not, we cannot
say. After a considerable time and sever
al disappointments, they succeeded in get
ting four ponies entered, owned by the fol-
lowing persons, Felix Paquin, Good
rough, = McGulpin and Sol Morris.
The ponies Were to start from the outer
end OF the of the course and the first one
in to take the money, no matter how they
got over the track. A single dash was to
decide it. The Paquin pony came over
the ice the fastest and won the race, but
the judges afterward declared the race
off upon some ground, and all the Salts
faction Felix got, was to know that his
pony came in first.
SECOND DAY.
Although the sun arose bright and clear
the day was far from being satisfactory
Old "Boreas" seemed determined to have
Ia hand in the days proceedings, and con
tinued to wax worse and worse, until
many thought there would be no race
But brave boys were there and they were
bound to have the race, and Jasper want
ed that money. Three entries had been
made for this race, as follows;
Jasper Bezau-s m, Kitty Red.
Benoni LaChance-w m, Kitty White.
!, Felix Paquin-r. &, White Nose.
This was for purse of $75, $50 to ths
first and $25 to the second horse; best two
ia three. 1t was somewhat after The houl
when the race was called, and it required
two or three efforts before satisfactory
, score was obtained. The sorrel mare wa.
too much for the others, distancing then
bo h the first heat. and Jaspar took all tn,
money. The condition OF the ice, and thu
: heavy wind prevailing prevented an,
} thing being done in the way of the wheel
barrow, sack and foot races.