The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-02-14
Tho Charleston Races.

when we tell them that the winning horse is not
only owned but was, born and raised in this
county
GOVERNOR HAMPCoN SURPRISES THE "KNowINo
ONES"
The second race, Hampton stakes, for four
year olds two mile heats, was regarded rs
settled thing, everybody wanting to bet on Judge
Hancock at any odds lie sold slowly in the
pools at 500 to $50 against Governor Hampton,
the slowncss being caused by the backwnrdness
of the lattcrs hackers. There were only two
eltries.
BY w. p. C. h. Burch, Governor Hampton,
by Planet, dam Merry Wave.
By II. a. Bray, Judged Hancock, by Bulle-
tin, dam by Brown Dick.
When here last year the Judge distinguished
himself, while Hampton almostinvariably loafed
somewhere back in the field, switching his tail,
tossing his head, and wearing the general air of
not caring cent about the thing anyway. All
who had money were anxious to pile it on the
favorite at any odds, and most of the takers
were of that large class of persons who
cannot for the life of them allow large odds
to so by anything. There was a sort of sup
pressed sympathy for the Governor, which was
due to his name, his good looks, his being na-
tive Carolinian and u general feeling that he was
fearfully overmatched. The sporting men and
..knowing ones managed to get good deal of
their change out on the favorite on account of
these feelings, those who bet against them hav-
ing little hope of winning, unless by an acci-
dent. a number of outside bets were made at
the ratio of five TO on Hancock, even in these
there being marked contrast between the ea-
gcrncss of his friends and the tmidity Of his
opponents.
The two got off we'll together, Hancock swing
ing ahead Immediately, and both at gallop.-
lie led by two lengths at the first quarter, and
the same at the second. Only languid sort of
interest was taken in the two hoI ses by the spec
tators; remarks on the Governor s backwardncss
being answered by the taunt tn; he would he
still further behind before the other got through
with him. This prophecy was verified, for the
two maintained their relative positions until
nearly the conclusion of the first mile, when the
speed was increased, and the Judge increased
his lead, being four lengths ahead they
passed the grand stand. This relieved the mo-
mentary uneasiness of his friends at the pcrsis
tency with which Hampton had held his position
and they laughed dcrisively and confidently, sa-
luting their favorite with encouraging shouts.
He still led at the fifth quarter 10y the same dis
tancc, the pace having been slackened somewhat.
Just before reaching the sixth, an enthusiast
shouted "Fifty to ten on Hancock ~ "Donc /"
shouted somebody, and almost before the words
were uttered, there was sudden stir, and
shower of suppressed EXPLANATIONS. Hampton
was drawing up. The stir and ordinations in
creased; and rs the horses swung into the last
quarter the crowd rose with one accord, and be-
gan to get wild. The horses were even. So
they came up the quarter stretch, and Hampton
suddenly showed ahead, the other getting the
whip savagely. All the Governors carelessness
and indifference was gone, and although he felt
no whip, the rcins were loose, and he was evil
dently bent on business. Neck and neck almost,
the favorite hanging to his shoulder, they dashed
srng Il tSeRm mWithiR ssvensy@Es y @ % yards OF the
ing his best. Amid storm of yells that was
heard away off in the city, Hampton passed the
stand, winner by n neck. Time, 3.43. AS soon
ms the cheering ceased n general visit was made
TO the pool stand, where great change had ta-
ken place. Hampton was the favorite, although
the Judges hackers were still maintaining stiff
upper lip After few wild and enthusiastic
bids the selling settled down to about even, be-
ing:
Gov Hampton. ........SIO
Judge Hancock. k.......".....".............. G4
DOV. 1lamptOH... Soo
Judge Hancock. 6S
The prices fuctuaed considerably, remain
ing, however, generally within those rates.
Old turfmen looked at the horses, and opinions
seemed to be largely i'll favor of Hampton,
who was rs frisky as ever. His opponents
were determined and defiant however, and pro-
fessed to have lost little Of their confideace i'm
the ex-favorite, although no more five TO one
talk could be heard in the land.
The horses started about as before, both TAX
ing it easy, the Judge leading at the first quar-
ter by four lengths and maintaining the same
distance at the second. The third showed no
change, and it became evident as they passed
the stand at the end of the first mile that lIamp-
ton was trying his old tactics of keeping within
reach and rushing in at the close. Judge Han.
cock eased up little just after passing the fifth
quarter. 1t was apparently impossible for him
to shake of the other, who ran with the regu-
larity and seemingly the tirclessness of n ma
chine, and he was probably saving wind for
the final rush. Hampton came within two
lengths, and kept so past the sixth, and to the
seventh quarter Here both horses got their
heads, and they burst into the quarter stretch
very close together. Hancock in front. AS he
got the whip, and Hampton was evidently get
ting closer and closer, the crowd rose and cheer
ed again, and for the next few seconds it was
beautiful, the racers closing up all the time
Hancock showed ahead very near the string,
getting the whip heavily. His inexorable oppo-
nent, however, whose skin felt the lash
for q second leapt ahead, and came in winner
with apparent ease by q scant length. Time, g.
A.
Hampton's time in the first heat is among
the best ever made over the Washington Course,
only two or three horses who have ron over it
ever doing better. Those-and they were many
who took large stakes On this race with small
Investments werc as may be supposed, us much
elated as surprised at their good luck, while the
losers ruminated over the uncertainty, Of the
horse business.