Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-19
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

To-day's Great Race-Courtney Said to
 Have No Chance of WInning-Rumors
 and DeniaIs-The Betting in Favor of
 HanIan-An Immense Crowd of specta-
 tors.
 WASHINGTON May 1S.-f one might judge safely from outward indications tonight Courtney is foredoomed to be defeated in his great race with Hanlan tomorrow. All the signs indicate his defeat, all the prophets pre- dict it and the betting is nearly three to one against him, with few takers at those odds. The change in the general feeling as to the probabilities of the race has been sudden and decided. Hanlan has been the favorite from the start, but up to to-day it has been gen. erally conceded that the result was doubtful In the pool selling last night Hanlan was only slightly the favorite. To-day the sentiment changed, and hardly any one thinks Courtney can win. Two events have contributed to bring about this change. The first is the ar- rival of large number of Canadians with their pockets full of money and so anxious to bet it that they have frightened the Courtney betters and pulled the Hanlan stock until at 9 o'clock tonight they were offering 100 to B on their favorite and finding only an occasional taker. A more important event was another mishap to Courtney He took a hard pull this morning, and after it was seized with a violent headache which has lasted him all day. At ten o'clock to- night it had not departed. This fact becom- ing noised about produced very perceptible effect A few clung to the belief that Court ney was shamming, that it was trick in vented to bear Courtney stock, but the most careful inquiry forces the belief that his head ache is both genuine and severe. Courtney's packers say it is a slight matter and that he will be all right in the morning, but the public are inclined to believe that it is an evidence that Courtney has not recovered from his sunstroke and is no longer able to pull hard race. The news of his indisposition has re- vived the predictions that he would not row and that Riley would yet have to make up the race. Courtney himself repudiates this idea. T shall certainly put in an appear ance if I live, and I shall row as fast and as long as I car" said he to- night, and his brother repeated this assertion Mir. Webster, who has been and is Courtney's principal packer, still expresses confidence that his man will win the race and tonight bought some pools on him. But even he does not look as hopeful as he talks. These are outward signs, and if there is not some trickery behind all it seems more than prob- able that Hanlan must win. He is in prime condition, which Courtney certainly is not. He and his friends seem confident of victory, but even this may prove that they are count ing unmatched chickens. The indications are that the race is to be square one Courtney is apparently determined to win at almost any cost, and the race will not be started until late an the afternoon, in order that he may not be affected by the sun This was arranged tonight. If, therefore, his headache should prove to be unimportant and he has no return of it or other accident during the race tomorrow, it will not be a walk over for Hanlan-
 There has been some talk tonight that Hanlan intends to sell out the race and let Courtney win, but there is no evidence of such an intention and Hanlan denounced the report as lie. The city is overfowing with sportsmen tonight, and it is already certain that the race will be witnessed by an immense concourse of spectators, probably larger than has ever gathered at g boat race in this coun- try. The race is set for 4:30, but will probably not be started before 5:30 or o'clock in the afternoon.