Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-08
MAUD SIS GREAT TRIUNPH

TRorTING MILE IN 2:lO}-AN ESGI1sHM ANS
DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT RACE AGAINST
TIME-THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AM
ERICAS AND THE BRITISH TURF.
Let me tell the story of the latest defeat OF
time, If l can-the triumph Of Maud S. over
st. Julien, the fastest trotting horse in the
world until this performance of Saturday,
which was privileged to witness. 1t was
what might be called an average London day.
The sun was hidden behind gray, rolling
clouds. A cool breeze swept over the broad
fiat. Chicago could be family seen in the dis
tance. few grand stands were sparsely oc-
cupied Only handful of carriages were
tethercd in the space devoted TO vehicles. The
point of vantage on the Jockey Clubs gallery
was occupied by few ladies and gentlemen.
There had been rain in the earlier part of the
day, which had kept people at home who
would otherwise have been here In England
race-goers would have paid no attention TO
the weather except to dress for sun or show
er. In America big crowds demand fine
weather, and as u rule, so likewise do trot
ting horses. hot day with no breeze is
most suitable for trotting speed, which is pro-
NOTED 10y free perspiration. 1t had been an
nounced that Maud S. would trot the mile
course on Saturday but Chicago, looking at
the weather felt pretty certain that the affair
the gentleman in charge OF the mare would
make no effort to beat ST. Julien's time on
such an unpropitlOus day. Therefore the
knowing ones and the cautious of Chicago did
not go to the races on Saturday. There were
several spins during the afternoon, however,
that had all the excitement Of prize competi-
tions, though the crowd accepted them with
a calm nonchalance that confess surprised
me when | remembered with what enthusiasm
the humblest race is followed by the crowd on
an English course. Between the heats of the
last competition Of the day, Maud S. was
brought out for sort of dress parade She
tapped at once the pent-up feelings of the
audience. No prima donna on the lyric stage
ever had heartier reception from a poor
house. Mile Maud s. paced quietly along
with an unconscious grace. My wife thought
the lovely creature seemed cognizant of the
general enthusiasm. On the contrary, she
appeared to me utterly innocent, altogether
unaware of her beauty or the acknowledge
ment OF it. She passed walking, but pres
entity broke into trot, was cheered by the
crowd, and in due time returned to her stable.
The wind was chill and gusty, but as the sun
looked out from the clouds and began to sink
toward the west the wind moderated and gave
promise of a calm withdrawal with the sun.
IF the wind goes down." said my friend of
the Jockey Club, "she will give us a show"
On the strength of the good prospect we
took drink" l mention this small detail
OF the day for the opportunity of saying that
wine, lager beer, and Apollinaris water were
the liquors most consumed at the bar on the
stand. On an English course brandy and
whiskey would have been the chief drinks,
modified a little by soda water. have often
said that lager beer is the salvation of Ameri-
ca from temperance point of view. l did
not see single drunken man at the Chicago
races. Our constant consumption of spirits
and strong beer in England gives us an over
whelming percentage of drunkenness on hol-
iday occasions compared with similar affairs
in the United States lam often told the diff
ference belongs to climatic conditions. do
not believe it. America used to get drunk a
good deal before lager beer became the popu-
lar and common drink of the country.
Presently it was publicly announced that as
many persons had come there to see Maud s.
trot, the manager of the horse on the part of
the owner, was not willing that they should
be disappointed. She would therefore, go
over the mile course, but, the weather being
altogether unsuitable for testing her speed,
her performance would not necessarily be
considered as a competition against previous
time. This was greeted with a burst of ap-
plause. II Capt. Stone had controlled the
weather at that moment, he could not have
done much more than nature did for him. The
wind dropped; not leaf stirred. The tenn
perature rose. 1t was a warm evening 81
should not wonder if Maud s. made her fast
est time to-day, Notwithstanding the cautious
declaration just made" 1t is hardly neces-
sary to say that st. Juliens record was 2:ll2
Vanderbilt will be proud man if his mare
can head it. Her driver looks this moment
as if he would not change places with the
~ n 4 ~
time the mare had passed under the wire at
the cry of Go" She went along with a
still body and quick legs, head erect, shoul-
ders and trunk immovable except for their
forward motion. 1t was like an opera dancer
in difficult pas, who confines her action to
her feet. Maud S. s legs carried her body as
if each anatomy was Independent of the 9TH
er. But at the first bend in the track she
suddenly broke into gallop and had to be