The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-09-03

exciting he ever rode, came off over the
Union course November 8, 1887. 1t was
four mile heat race for the Jockey club
purse of 81 900. The contestants were Lady
Clinton, four years, owned by Colonel Jas.
w. Seldom, of Maryland; Fanny Wyatt,
four years, John C. Stevens, New York;
Pictou, three years, Colonel w. Wynn, Vir-
ginia; and Mingo, six years, General G.
Irvine, Pennsylvania.
Most of the jockey clubs of the Union
were represented at the race, while dele
CATION of Indian chiefs, on their way to
Washington, were aroused 20 a fever pitch
on seeing the struggle. a turf writer of
that day thus wrote of 1t: ut was race
that will be remembered by each of the
$4,000 persons who witnessed 1T to their
dying day, and its history will go down
through all time as one of the most fearfully
contested and glorious victories ever
achieved by the high -mettled racer Lady
Clifton and her honest rider, Gil. Patrick"
Pictou took the first heat in 7:44-the
quickest ever made by a three-year old at
that time in America Lady Clifton took
the second heat in 7:431S, and the third heat
and race in 1861.
After long campaign through the South
ern States, Gil. Patrick was sent for at New
Orleans IN the spring of 1912, to come North
and ride Boston in his match against
Fashion. This race was one of the greatest
to be found in the annals of the American
turf. 1t was another match where Mason
and Dixon's line divided the friends and
hackers of the racers. Fashion was owned
by Mr.. William Gibbons, of New Jersey,
and Boston by Messrs. William r. johnson
and James Long, of Petersburg, Va.
The race. four mile heats. was run on Tues.
day, May 10, 1912. The stakes we're $40, 600
side. Fashion, five years, by imp. Trustee,
out of Bonnet's Blue, carrying Ill lbs. was
ridden by Joseph Laird; Boston, nine years,
by TImaleon, out of Robin, Browns dam
carried 126 lbs, including Gil, Patrick.
Some idea of the interest excited by this
race may be formed from the fact that near
" 10000 persons gathered at the track. The
race was announced to come offat clock,
on the Union course. From early morning
crowds steadily crossed the East river to
Long Island. Every vehicle possible was
engaged for the conveyance of passengers
the Long Island raiload sold many more
tickets than hey could carry passengers.
Ten dollars were offered for standing place
in charcoal wagon Many left the blocked
and over crowded cars and proceeded TO the
track on foot, some arriving after the first
heat. When the race was over a mob over.
turned some of the cars down a bank and
smashed ticket office.
Gil, Patrick, who felt that Boston had not
been brought to perfect condition, thus de-
scribes the race:
AT the signal for the first heat 1 man
aged to get Boston away at a rafting pace,
taking the inside and leading Fashion
couple of lengths, which position | main
tanned during the first mile without extra
effort in 1:53. On entering the second mile
our pace improved, both making a strong
run down the back stretch. After leaving
the half mile pole Fashion gained on US and
came well up. We threw her off on the turn,
and led her to the end of the second mile in
1:50. We continued to lead and passed the
stand on the third mile in :54. Thus far
R1gtnn had tn cd
well, but he required constant watching, for
there was no telling at what moment his
treacherous disposition would be exhib.
tied. We had entered the fourth mile with
every prospect of success, when suddenly
Boston threw up his head, and with
ears back and mouth wide open, made a
charge on Fashion, who had reached our
side. Fashion now took the lead at the
quarter-mile post, and my work with Boston
began in earnest. Twice did he throw his
head around. attempting to get one of my
feet in his mouth, evidently with the inten :
ton of pulling me from his back. Reaching
the back stretch, | got him together again,
and ran him up to, and for about 300 yards
Tapped Fashion. 1t seemed now as ii the
race was mine, but only for a moment for
in another fit of ugliness Boston ran AGAINST
the fence, as if determined TO relieve himself
OF his rider. l saved my limb by drawing it
up bur he received 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, however,
at the turn. The race had now become one
of the most exciting ever witnessed. Up to
the quarter stretch, both animals ran at
lightning speed, whip and spur being applied
freely, arriving home with Fashion leading
a length, in 1924. Up to that day this was
the quickest time ever made on the Amer
can turf.
In the second heat 1 concluded to
change my tactics by giving Boston a trail.
ing pace, hoping by this means to be able to
keep him at his work. Fashion led off with
a moderate stride, leading me about three
lengths until we reached the back stretch,
when Boston made a dash which soon
brought US to the side of Fashion. Nearing
the head of the quarter stretch the mare
outfooted us and lead us to the stand nearly
four lengths, in 1:59. We held the same
relative positions on the second mile until
Boston made another dash and soon chal
lenged the mare, but only for a moment
as / did not urge him, being
anxious to save him for the last
mile. This mile was run in 1:57
Fashion leading about three lengths
reached the half-nile post, when took the
track, passing Fashion apparently as if she
was standing still, and ending the mile il
1:51%. Thus encouraged, l entered the
fourth mile amid the enthusiastic shouts o.
the friends of Boston; but was soon agair
doomed to disappointment for had scarcely
left the stand before Boston's sulks came OF
him again, and he slackened his pace, not
Withstand ding the fact that thus far durinI
the heat 1 had done all in my power tt
humor him, and thereby kept him faithful
to his work. Fashion closed and passed u
at the quarter-mile post, and then for tn,
| first time gave up all hopes of winning
Boston continued stubborn to the close, ant
Fashion took the heat in Z: AS"
The timers in this race were Robert L. an,
James Stevens, Senator Barrow, Hon. Mino
| M. Bolts, and Major Ringgold.
The next race of National interest which
Gil. Patrick rode was on Lexington, agains
the Old Man with the scythe, stake $50 0OC
over the Metairie course, New Orleans, Apr
2 1855. Lexington to beat Lecompte's time
then the fastest on record-7:26
In this race the Kentucky horse was vic
tor, making the record stand for nearly
years at 7:l9A. Speaking II the perform
ance, Gil. Patrick says:
Lexington ran on a track which was to
| ha ri for sneod WAS ohvioue from, the far