The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-10-25
THE RECENT RACES.

The EmpoRt8 Horse, Bender, Does Well.
The crowded condition of our columns
has prevented US from duly noticing the
races at the recent fair, and at the horse
fair which followed it. The only race
that took place at the fair was for a run
ming purse of $50, for green horses. Pete
won first money, $25; Billy second mon
ey, SIS; JEFF third money, $40. Time
not given.
The races Wednesday and Thursday sue
ceeding the fair, were reasonably well
attended, and the best that have been
seen on our track. Messrs. L. Severy, Z.
r. Halderman and w. T. SOden were
judges, and performed their duties in
very acceptable manner.
The 2 40 trotting race for purse of
$75 was contested by the following en-
tries:
Highlander, entered by B. Simpson;
Jim Lane, by j. L. Wilson; Archie, by
John Bay; Mcleod, by Ed Corrigan;
William c., by w. Chandler. Highlan-
der was distanced, Archie ruled off for
running, and William C. for foul drlv-
ing. Jim Lane took first and Mcleod
second money. Time not given.
The trotting race for $500 purse, free to
all, was the best race, and made the best
time recorded here. The entries were:
John Bender, by ]. L. Epstein; ]. NJ.
Belts, by Geo. Edwards; Jim Lane, by
]. L. Wilson; Ned s., by Ed Corrigan.
Bender took the first heat in 2:38, but
both Ned S. and Bolts sold we'll in the
pools, many being very confident that
the little Bolts would come out very
strong in the last part of the race. On
eral concert of action on the part of the
other drivers to worry Bender and if pos
sible secure the heat for Ned s., and
Bolts to take the rest of the heats. Ben
der's driver, the veteran Skinner, was up
to every trick, and kept imperturbably
cool and self possessed. The "old horse"
was similarly we'll balanced, and by the
time seven or eight attempts had been
made to score Bender was evidently
standing the worry better than any of
his competitors, and the others became
quite willing to make a fair start. On
the eleventh attempt the judges gave the
word, and Bender, as before took the
lead and steadily increased it, coming
down the home stretch on the first half
mile at a 2:20 pace. The spectators
thought Skinner could have distanced
the rest, but he came in on a jog at the
second half mile, and allowed his rivals
to save their distance. The time made
by Bender, without skip, was 2 :36, and
could have been made in 2 80 had his
driver desired
The third heat was marked by more
Intellectual scoring, and as threatening
storm was approaching, the judges gave
the word go, although Bender's driver
had almost pulled him up, so feet be
hind the others This was their chance,
and they could beat Bender now or new.
er. He settled to his work, passed all
but Bolts before the half mile pole was
reached, and came down the home
stretch close after that gallant little nag.
At the three-quarter pole he was within
easy reach of Bolts wheel, and the two
turned into the home stretch with Ben.
der tapping the other sulky and gaining
inch by inch. The pace was little
more than Bolts could keep, and Ben
der reached the home first in 2:3516,
winning the race without a skip and by
sheer hard trotting after very bad start
The crowd shouted over the honest tri.
umph of the Emporia horse, and then
started for town just in time to avoid a
heavy storm.
Bender took first money, 1896; Belts
second, $135; and Ned S. third, $50.
Bender now ranks as one of the best
horses in the west. He will, at the rate
he has been progressing, get down into
the 2 80 if not the 2 :25 class next season
His temper and bottom are rarely equal
ed, and if he continues to be handled as
well as Mr.. Skinner has handled him,
being yet a young horse for the race
track, he will work down to a pace that
will not be far behind his famous rela
tive, Smuggler.