The Morning herald., 1876-05-19
MUSTANG RACE.
A Race ~f Three Huoafed Miles
Pony W. T1mo.

L
Ry American Press Association.
New YORK, May 1S.-The great Mustang
! race at Fleetwood Park commenced
this morning. The run to be sos miles in
ride of Is hours, 80 horses and one rider.
| At exactly 4 a. IN. Parker mounted the first
| hosre.
The time made has been as follows !:
First mile, 8 20; second, $50: third, 2.30;
fourth, 2.35; fifth, 2.431s; sixth, 2.45: sew
enth, 2.49ls; eighth, 2.s31s; ninth, 2.36H;
| tenth, 2.4OH.
Up to this time Parker had 8 minutes to
spare. From this time to 9o'clock the
time was better but after that the rate Of
| speed began to diminish.
| After having ridden Is miles at 5.l2 a. m.
| Parker was fresh as ever and taken 70 re-
| fresllments. At $50 new horses were put
on the track, but they proved mullsh, and
finally had to have running mate. Much
time was lost by the baulkiness OF the
| ponies, but at the sxtieth mile Parker was
| IA minutes ahead OF time.
| The crowd was not very great and there
was very little enthusiasm, and long before
the Tooth mile was completed, many spec
tators left because of the rain.
| The first 100 miles were completed in
| hours and Al minutes. The fastest mile
| was made in 224. At the end of the l4oth
miie. Parker was Is minutes ahead OF time.
| Pain began to fall about g a. m, and
| made the track very heavy, but the race
| continued nevertheless. Up to the 3ith
| mile Parker had ridden with his jacket on,
| but Oh dismountiBg for the 3sth mile, he
cast off his Jacket. and rode the remainder
of the first 100 miles in his shirt sleeves and
! with his head barred. He took no s,imulents
save frequent drinks Of water, which he
swallowed while riding. On completing the
| 100 miles he hastily drank a glass OF lager
and sprang on a fresh horse, apparently
| Iittle tsticued. occasionally he would rest
himself on horseback bv throw ing his bands
| forward on the mustangs neck and thrust
| ing the rolls into the saddle girth ne would
lean forward with his whole body while at
other times he would stand up
straight. He would stop his horse
at the end of each mile by one
of mos. effective movements: placing his
hand t fore the animal, the mustang would
stop as if shot, and Parker would spring on
a fresh horse.
| The crowds began to arrive at the Park
as the morning advanced, but the rain
drove many away. Rain began falling
| INST as Parker ended his l05th mile. He
was iAcketless and his hair was streaming,
hut he did not heed the rain, and was EVIL
IDENTITY determined. He accomplished the
feat Of $50 miles ia hours aud III minutes
from. the start.
At 1915 p. m, ITO miles had been scored
some under great disadvantage, as the track
was very heavy. A white mustang, which
had proved uncomfortable several times,
bolted IN the l6i mile and carried Parker
round the stables, the grand stand and other
Buildings, losing six minutes. His clothes
all the forenoon were thoroughly soaked
by rain and occasionally to vary the monot,
ony and avoid the tiredncss of riding always
in the same direction. he took the othel
course around the track but this was no
often. About l p. m, the sky began tt
{ clear, and the rain ceased, and at l p. m
179 miles were made. Parker was trf
o behind time, he having consumed les
minutes, exchanging the wet garments 10
dry ones and taking refreshments. I'M
r long four hours exposure to the heav'
rain during the forenoon. however, was be
ginning to tell upon the rider, and it wa
, evident to all that he was becoming Still
$ in movement, as he got in and out OF tn
! saddle The 200 miles were completed a
/ J POP p. N.
The 22oth mile was finished at $40 pm
n being 10 minutes behind time. Parker wa
very confident of winning, despite his stil
aud sore limbs, and he had now been ridin
/ II hours On mounting for the 22lst miles
his fatigue was very evident. The next
/ miles were accomplished in fair time, bu
Parker's endurance and strength was clear
!. y exhausted. He gave out on the 2%Gt
. mile.
During the whole day he had eaten nott
ing, except a small piece OF pie, but ha
q drank water copiously, which it is gerel
ally believed was injurious to him in hl
!. struggle against the terrible odds,a drencf
Ing rain Of hours duration, and yer
9 heavy track, wet clothing, and their dis
Il paraging effect.
g The mustangs which did their duty wei
: still CON paraiively fresh, and could doub
il lessy finish the task, had their rider hel
rut