The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-16
TROTTING TO SLEIGHS.
INTERESTING RACE AT FLEETWOOD pARK-DERB

INTERESTING RACE AT FLEETWOOD PARK-DERBr
WINS THE PURSE.
Notwithstanding the announcement of trotting
contest for $3.50 horses at Fleetwood Park in the
morning papers Of yesterday there was but . small
gathering of spectators when the trotting began
To go out the road where there ID good sleighing
in wagons does not appear just tho thing and when
there other way of getting to the park except on
wheels the majority of the owners of fast horses
stay in town. Some of them. however, more enthu-
siastic than others. and who cannot content
themselves at home when there is trotting
going on, either on the road track.
send their sleighs to the Park gates in
charge of. their grooms. who lead and walk the
horses to where the snow begins. Then the horses
are logged through the Park to 10th street. when
entering of the avenues, fast work is INDUCED
in To go slow behind fast rotter for two three
miles creates appetite for brush. and as soon
q chance occurs it is readily taken advantage Of
There were goodly number of fast horses on the
sroad. whose owners took q brush whenever an oc-
casion offered and when not engaged watched others
who ndulging in the exciting sport rather than
tie their horses under the sheds at Fleetwood Park
to look at the trotting going there. Conspicuous
among the fast horses St. Nicholas avenue during
the afternoon was the gray gelding Victor. who
seems to be this season faster than ever before.
The trot at Fleetwood Park for a purse for
that had beaten 230 in harness. Entered
for which were w. E. Weeks chestnut geldine Derby
John Murphy's chestnut selding Cobweb. and John
betting the result. Fitzgerald having the call
before the start. Derby won the race in three
straight heats. The following are the details of
THE RACE.
First Heat-The start was good one, Derby lead
ing on the inside. Fitzgerald second. in the middle
and Cobweb close up on the outside. Fitzgerald
broke up after leaving and fell in the Cob
web and Derby went around the turn side and side;
but Weeks the driver of Derby, being under the i'm
preston that the word had not been given, took
pull on his horse and he slowed down considerably
Murphy also pulled Cobweb back, and until the
judges called to them to go did they understand
that the race was on Derby then outfooted Cobweb,
and went to the quarter-pole one length in front
OF him i'll AZ seconds, Fitzgerald six lengths behind
Going around the lower turn Derby opened the gap,
when Fitzgerald broke up and fell Off Derby passed
the haifmile pole in 21 two ahead OF Cobweb,
the latter ten lengths in advance of Fitzgerald. Going
up the hill of the backsrech Fitzgerald troited very
rapidly for short distance and closed up on the
point of rocks he broke badly and all his chances
were gone before he recovered his trot again. Derby
came on steadily and won the heat by four lengths.
Cobweb second ten lengths ahead Of Fitzgerald.
Time of the heat. 2:43.
Second Hedt-Derby had the best Of the start Fitz-
gerald second Cobweb third. Going down the hill
toward the quarter-pole Derby opened gap of two
lengths, Fitzgerald second six lengths ahead OF Cob
pole was passed in SsX seconds. doing along the
lower turn Derby outfooted Fitzgerald and four
web dozen lengths behind. Going up the hill of
the backstretch Fitzgerald broke upo and Derby made
the gap Six lengths between them to the three
quarter pole. Cobweb eight lengths behind.
Derby trotted steadily home. winning the heat by
four lengths in 236. Fitzgerald second, ten lengths
in advance of Cobweb. Time, 1885.
Third Heat-Derby was then great favorite over
the field. By artful dodge of Weeks by coming
up behind the other horses on run and nodding
for the word which given, he brought his horse
to trot the score, and being under full Roadway.
got the start flying and in moment was four or five
lengths in front OF the other horses. Keeping this
advantage around the turn and down the straight
the quarter pole Derby that point six lengths
ahead Of Cobweb. the latter four lengths in
front of Fitzgerald. Time, 80 seconds Going
around the lower turn Fitzgerald and Cobweb
rotted fast closing the daylight very rapidly and at
the half Emile pole Derby had only length the best
of Fitzgerald, with Cobweb two lengths behind.
Time, 1lS. Leaving this point and going up the hill
OF the backstretch Fitzpatrick aud Cobweb broke up
then Derby had nothing to DO but go steadily and
win which he did by ten lengths. Fitzgerald second
ten lengths ahead of Cobweb. Time 2:3S.
The following is
SUMMARY.
FLEETWOOD PARK-TRoITISG TO SLEIaHs-WEDNEs-
DAY, Jan. 15 1S79-Purse $780, mile heats, best three
in five.