Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-09
TRACK SPORTS.
The Racing.

In any review of the racing at the
State fair, it should be borne in mind that this
is an agricultural rather than horse racing as
ISOLATION, and while the trials of speed during
the week were not put forward as the com
handing feature of the exhibition, it was the
intention of the management to have them of
the very highest order of merit, and in every
way worthy the very large attendance expected
and realized by the results To this end liberal
purses were offered in the different trotting
classes, in addition to which special contracts
were made with the most noted trotters of the
turf, including Rarus, Edwin Forrest,
Lulu and Great Eastern, without doubt
the four fastest horses OF the present
time. Unfortunately for the society, the man
agament of the Northwestern exposition early
secured the formation OF a trotting circuit, in
which, in addition to Minneapolis was included
Dubuque, Kansas City, Mo-, and Quincy, ILL,
all good trotting centres. By this arrangement
the State society was placed at serious dlsad-
vantage in securing the attendance of horses
for the regular racing programme and had de-
tendance been placed upon their sports for the
principal attractions. the exhibition would have
been failure instead Of the success it was.
Looked at racing meeting alone the diff
ferent trials and exhibitions OF speed offered
during the week, were sufficient to have secured
general success, though there were some striking
failures. An especially weak point was the
running, In which the different events were
mere hlppodroming affairs. For this the society
is responsible; the arrangement OF ttss0 purses
Offering no inducements to horsemen to enter
and make up-and-up and for-blood races.
The time made in the different events was
slow, as trotting goes these days. This was not
the fault of the horses engaged but the condi-
ton of the track, which very heavy and
slow. With judicious work this might have
been largely remedied, but with the unexpected
rush of improvements Of all kinds, increased
the opening Of the fair, it is not surprising
some things were left undone which should
have been attended to-
The society is under great obligations to
Hon. John L. Merriam, Major Ben Thompson,
Mr.. John harrington, Esq, and Mr.. A. M. Rad
cliff, who acted as judges of the racing during
the six days of the meeting. On the first day
Hon. VIM. McKusick of Saltwater, acted as
starting iudges the second day that duty was
performed by Mr.. Wilson, the we'll known
| breeder of Cynthiana, KY; the third day by
| Hon. Morton S. Wilkinson. of Wells; and the
| three last days by Mr.. E. 7. Archibald, of Dun
| das. These gentlemen were very successful in
| managing the races, performing tneir duties
4 without fear fnvcr and with perfect fairness.
| Not disturbance of any kind took place
| upon the track, or in it's immediate vicinity;
nor did an accident occur to mar the pleasure
| of the sport
The decided features of the track sports were
the exhibitions of speed by Rarns, undoubtedly
the fastest horse upon the turf at the present
time, and Edwin Forrest generally believed by
horsemen to be the coming champion. The
exhibition of Rarus was made Wednesday, one
of the hottest days of the season. The track,
owing to failure in the sprinkling arrange
ments, was covered with thick coating of
dust, in addition to which several soft places
had been developed, too late to be rehedied.
Added to these draw backs, the air was full of
dust, making breathing at times a difficult
matter even when at rest. Under these circum-
stances the three heats of Rarus in 2:2O, 2:16
and 2164 was really u remarkable per-
Torrance, equal, it Is claimed by by
Mr.: Mr.. s pf H. to any previous PERFORM
it is, Mr.. Splan did all in his power to give the
$4,000 people present as good an exhibition of
| speed as ever seen any track. This fact was
evident from the distressed condition of the
horse after the completion of the race, he show
ing greater fatigue than after his great and un-
equalled 2:134 mile at Hartford. In making
his contract with the society," Mr.. Splan prom
ised his horse should do his best, and the
writer, who saw the horse at Rochester, N Y.
and at Milwaukee, Wis, is satisfied Mr.. Splan
did his best to comply with his contract to the
letter. and that with the same exertion put
forth on good day and good track the Hartford
performance would have been equalled. Mr.,
Splan' sgentlemanlyand straightforward dealing
throughout with the society, his courteous
treatment to the thousands of visitors to the
stable Of the horse while upon the st. Paul
grounds and his voluntary exhibitions Of the
horse, was worthy the man and deserves the
public acknowledgment here made.
The exhibition trot between Great Eastern
under saddle and Edwin Forrest, the comine
wonder, to harness, was severe disappolnt
ment, but the fault was not with the horses o.
the gentleman controlling them, Mr.. Chas. s
Green. This trial took place on Thursday. th,
Presidents day. As on the day previous, th,
weather was fearfully hot and the track was il
the same unsatisfactory condition. The frs
disappointment was in Mr.. Green's in
ability to secure an accomplished ride
for Great Eastern, both Mr.. Dan. Mac,
and Budd Doble disappointing him, but witt
all these drawbacks very fast mile would un
doubtedly been given had not an accident &C
for warming up the horse and getting him set
tied to his work, was made in 2:19L q hal,