Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-10-01
An Old Man in the Saddle.

besn eyenttul. After a long campaign
through the Southern states, Gil. Pat
rick was sent for at New Orleans, in the
,priug of ls42, to como North and ride
Boston in his match against Fashion,
This race was one Of the greatest to De
found In the annals of the American
turf. 1t WAS another match where Ma
son and Dlxon's line divided the iHends
and hackers of the racers. Fashion was
owned by Mr.. William Gibbons, OF New
Jersey, and Boston By Messr'. William
r. Johnson and James Long. OF Peters
burg. Va. The race four mile heats.
was run on Tuesday, Nay 10, 1912. The
stakes were s20.0 side. Fashion, )
years by imp. Trustee, out of Bonnets
Blue, carrying Ill lbs, was ridden BY
Joseph Laird. Boston, 9 years, by
Timoeon, out of Robin, Browns dam.
carried 126 lbs.. including Patrick
Some idea Of the interest excited by this
race may be formed from the fact that
nearly 6O.o0e persons gathered at the
track. The race was announced to
come off at 2 o'clock, on the Union
course. From early morning crowds
steadily crossed the East river to Long
Island. Every vehicle possible was en-
gagged for the conveyance ofpassensers'
the Long Island railroad sold many
more tickets than they could carry pas
sengers. Ten dollars were offered Tor
a standing place in a charcoal wagon
Many left the blocked and oyer-crowded
cars and proceeded TO the track on foot
some arrived after the first heat. When
the race was over mob overturned
some of the cars down a bank and
smashed ticket-Ofhce.
Gil. Patrick, who felt that Boston had
not been brought to perfect condition,
thus describes the race {:
At the signal for the first heat l
managed to get Boston away at rat
ting pace, taking the inside and leading
Fashion a couple Of lengths, which po'
stion maintained during the first mile
without extra effort in 1853. On enter
ing the second mile our pace improved
both making strong run down the
back-stretch. After leaving the halt~
mile pole Fashion gained on US and
came we'll up. We threw her of on the
turn. and led her to the end of the sec
ond mile in 1:50. We continued to
lead, and passed the stand on the thlld
mile in l:54. Thus far Boston had,
contrary to expectation, acted WELL but
ho required constant watching. tor there
was no telling az what moment his
! trsacherous disposition would be ex-
hbited. We had entered the fourth
milo with every prospect of success,
when suddenly Boston threw up his
head. ard with ears back and mouth
wide open, made charge on Fashion,
who had reached our side. Fashion
now took the lead at the quarter mile
post. aud my work with Boston began
in earnest. Twice did he throw his
head around, attempting to get one ol
nv feet in his mouth. evidently with
the intention of pulling me from his
back. Reaching the backstretch l go'
him together again and ran up to, and
for about three hundred yards lappeC
Fashion. It seemed now as il the race
wa. mine, but only for moment, tol
in another fit of ugliness Boston raE
against the fence. as if determined tc
relieve himself Of his rider, | sayeC
my limb by drawing it up, but he re-
coived a severe cash six inches IN length
on his quarter. This Jared him and
gave Fashion lead Of at least three
lengths. We nearly closed again. how
ever, at the turn. The race had nov
become one Of the most exciting eve
witnessed. Up the quarter stretcl
both ANIMALS ran at lightning speed
whip and spur being applied freely ar
riying home with Fashion leading
length in 1921. Up to that day th
was the quickest time ever made OIL
the American turf. In the second hea
I concluded to change my tactics BY
giving Boston a trailing pace, hoplne
nv this means to be able to keep hin
at his work. Fashion led of with
moderate stride, leading me about three
lengths until we reached the back
stretch, when Boston made dasl
which soon brought US to the side o
Fash. Nearing the head of the quartz
stretch the mare outfootcd US and led Il
to the stand nearly four lengths, in l;59
} We held the same relative positions oil
the second mile until we reached tn
7 backstretch again, when Boston mad
, another dash and soon challenged tn
} mare, but only for moment, as di
not urge him. being anxious to save bin
, for the last mile. This mile was run II
. 1857, Fashion leading about thre
lengths. 1 continued to trail in tn
,. third mile until reached the half-mil
y post, when / took the track, passln
Fashion apparently as If she was 'tand
:, ing still, and ending the mile in 1914
Il Thus encouraged l entered the fourtI
mile amid the enthusiastic shouts OF th
> friends of Boston but was soon agal
doomed to disappointment, for | ha
scarcely left the stand before Boston
sulks came on him again, and he slack
ened his pace, notwithstanding the fac
that thus far during the heat | had don
!, all in my power to humor him, an
thereby kept him faithful to his work.
2 | -....I AZ il