The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-05
THE MUSTANG RACE.

Parker Fails a Second Time in His Ride
Against Time.
Another exhibition of mustang riding
was given al Fleetwood Park. New ork
Thursday when an attempt was made by
George Parker to ride 305 miles in fifteen
hours, with thirty mustangs for relays. The
race began at precisely 4 o'clock in the
morning. Parker had enjoyed good sloep
up to o'clock and after eating hearty
breakfast of bcefsteak eggs and coffee,
came on the track In fine condition. He
had been under training it said, for this race
and had reduced his weight by diet and
Turkish baths. Parkers weight Thursday
was said to be 1903 pounds and, add to this
fifty pounds Of horae furniture, the mus-
tangs had to carry a total weight of trfle
over 200 pounds. Mr.. Bergh's officers
made an inspection before the race, but
found nothing to complain of. The first
bell rang out in the chilly morning air
while the sleepy darkies in the stables were
still rubbing their eyes, and Parker pre-
pared for the start by mounting q spirited
sorrel mare. The time of the first ten miles
was as follows: 1861 2.26. 1891, 1927,
2303, 2S2, 2.24a . 1871 2.lSs and 235, or
an average of 2.29 per mile, the average
time required to be made to run 305 miles
in fifteen hours being about 257.
1t was not until SIX miles had been run
that the light was sufficient TO enable the
spectators TO follow the rider all around the
course. Just after starting on the eighth
mile the snatlle bit broke, but by vigorous
use of the whip Parker got his mustang un-
der way and completed a mile without
stopping to change the bride. On the sew
enteenth mile another and more serious ac-
cident occurred. The mustang, vicious
beast, started before Parker had got into
the Saddle, and pulled both rider and groom
along the track by the rope halter. When
Parker succeeded in straddling the animal
she began to rear and Chuck" and finally
plunged headlong over the rail in front OF
the stables. iicrse and rider came down
together, and Parker, picking himself up,
staggered off and sat down, saying to the
crowd that gathered around him, "the life
hrs been knocked ont out of me- His doc
tor contradicted him, however, and said it
was only the wind that had been knocked
out of him. The doctor proved to be in the
right, for after only minutes delay Parker
got up, mounted the same mustang and fin
ished the mile in 4.27il, including the stop.
After this Parker frequently reversed his
course around the track. and made some
change of wearing apparel. The only re-
treatment he took during the first part of
the race was an occasional drink of water.
On the 92d mile, Peralta rode out and raced
Parker around the track to the merriment
of the few shivering spectators. The first
1O0 miles were completed at S.3S M,
which was % minutes ahead Of time. Park
or then entered the judges stand, and rested
seven minutes, during which time he ate
some malt diluted with milk. His head
was bathed and his legs rubbed down, and
when he reappeared with fresh change of
clothing he looked as if he were just begin
ming the race. His fastest time was made
in the 177th mile, which was ridden in
21St. The first 200 miles were made in
hours, 10 minutes and IL seconds. After
this Parker retired again for twelve minutes
and took refreshments. On finishing the
206th mile he dsmounted and staggered in
TO the judges stand. 1t was then apparent
that he was breaking down. He remained
out of sight twenty minutes, then came out,
rode two miles and was again led inside.
He made eight miles after this, apparently
with great difficulty, and on remountinx
after the 216th he put his hand up to his
eyes and asked to be taken in and cared
for. The crowd of spectators, which had
now swelled to something like five thou
sand, did not wait to be told that the race
was over, and hundreds left the ground
without hearing the Official announcement
from the Judges stand that Parker was
blind and would not attempt TO ride any
more that day.
The time by tens of miles was as follows