The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-09-18
The $1,000 Trotting Race.

The $1,000 Trotting Race.
The minds and money of lovers of flesh
had been employed for some little time past until
last Saturday, the l1th instant, in speculations
regarding the ultimate ability of either of the
t.otters-Commodore or Oliver-to win three
heats out of five, in as.grand trotting-race for
81 900, which took place at KapiolanI Park on
that date, and the final result of which race was
prognosticated by the pools sold continually in
favor of Oliver, both on the evening before the
race, and during the heats on the day on which
the race occurred. On the morning of the 11th,
some of those most interested wendell their way
towards the Park, and availed themselves of the
opportunity and privilege given to inspect the
steeds whose prowess would decide to a great
great extent the betters ability to pay their
income and other taxes willingly or otherwise
otherwise, to coin a word, might be called, grum-
blIngly. At 2.30 pm. the majority of those
whose leisure allowed, and whose tastes urged
them to be present, were in full force, and num-
bered between three and four hundred people,
including of course a deputation of the fair eek,
whose presence served greatly to enliven the
Heterogeneous mixture and occasion. Pools before
the starting of the horses were sold at 10 to 7 on
Oliver, and bidding was somewhat lively Out
side bets were made at 2 to l in favor OF that
horse, and takers were not few nor far between.
No reason was assigned for this disparity in the
betting, reports from both horses stating that
they were in good condition however, the null
titude made their wagers that way. and, from
appearances, it is fair to presume that a large
amount of money changed hands. l j
THE JUDGES.
Mr.. P. Opfergelt was the first of the judges
selected, and he seemed to have no opposition
against him by either party Mr.. VIM. Cornwell,
the other judge appointed, seemed also to be
regarded with especial favor in his position. The
choice of referee by the two judges mentioned
seemed, however, to be a cause for tribulation
several names offered being bones of contention
over which owners, drivers, grooms and
betters growled and wrestled until oil was finally
poured upon the troubled waters by the appoint
ment of Judge Davidson (who accepted under
protest), and, with d. w. Clark as timekeeper,
adjourned to the stand preparatory to the
At precisely 2.40 P. M, ten minutes after the
appointed hour, the bell was rung calling the
horses on the track and in a few moments alter
wards they appeared. 7. Mcclellan whose fame
as a turtle has preceded HIM, held the reins
over tbs favorite, Oliver, while Harry Agnew
occupied the seat behind Commodore. ~
THE FIRST HEAT.
In the choice for place Oliver obtained the inside,
Commodore Of course the outer position. No time
was lost by the drivers In scoring, both coming
down handsomely for the wire, Oliver seemingly
being pushed by Commodore. Oliver reached
the wire half a length ahead of his opponent and
off his feet, Commodore trotting steadily and at
a good pace. The word was given and almost
simultaneously Herewith the positions became
reversed, Oliver being brought down to a trot by
Mcclellan, while Agnew seemed to have lost con-
troll of Commodore, the horse making a series of
breaks and runs from the wire to the second
quarter. Oliver trotted well to the first quarter,
broke on the second and third quarters, and al
though t%rotting half of the homestretch well,
broke badly just inside the distance flag, Com
modore only two lengths behind, but Mac
brought Oliver quickly to business and in, a win
ner Of the first heat, by two lengths, in 2.35t.
1s0 sa.-lI NO HEAT.
In the start for this heat both horses came
down for the wire well, but a hold in of Agnew's
before reaching it allowed a discrepancy unfavor-
able, in the starter opinion, to the word being
given. In the second scoring Mac held in enough
TO necessitate another start, and this last was
well, both horses coming to the wire near
y together, and received the word. Commodore
IN the first quarter trotted well, not making a
kip. and Oliver was under high pressure. also
.rotting finely. just in the commencement OF
The second quarter Oliver made a slight skip, and
{ looked as though there was a something out
bout Macs wagon, q general unsteadiness OF the
body being noticeable. but as the horse trotted
long nicely to the second and third quarters and
nothing occurring, it was deemed were phantasy
Until on coming into the turn on the home stretch.
{ became ut once apparent to the onlookers that
he right hand wheel of the sulky was breaking
II, the spokes having become loasened and the
xle bending, 1t looked bad for Macs hopes to
rim any more heats IN the race, Commodore com
ng up at a good rate of speed, passed him, and
eft Mae with q bad tempered horse, in a badly
sed 'sulkey, and on the wrongiside of the distance
ole. Mcclellan here displayed some of the ;,
erye which Eastern reports have credited him
nth having, for instead of slowing down and $
'oking out for his own personal safety. he con-
ned to force Oliver until inside the distance pole 1
nd had only cleared il about three lengths when '
be wheel gave way entirely. throwing Mac cut =
ackvards, Arrew passing under the wire AE /
z considerable controversy ana argument the ]
'dges decided tIat The heal be declared = no
al, aat that it be run over. .