Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-09-17
The Great Double Team Race.
Esprit of the Times .

record OF Z:lI a, LltGie DFOWu Jug Ella,
aud Smugg er'S 2:15 4, added greatly to its
fame; but rarely has been witnessed on
this course match of greater interest than
was brought about by testing the respec-
tive merits of the two greatest double
teams ever before the public. What a
great change has been wrought in the last
few years. Formerly the fast teams were
owned and used for professional purposes,
or kept in seclusion. Now, the higher
classes, represented by Mr. Frank Work and
Mr.. William Rockefeller, sanctioned by
every lover of pure racing sport, bring
their teams from retirement and let the
public enjoy their performances. The
interest evinced in their past and present
exploits, will create species of emulation
that must wonderfully promote the busl-
ness of breeding and training trotters.
1t will be remember that, last summer
Mr.. +. Works team, Edward and Swivel
Ter, made themselves superlatively great
and glorious by scoring record of 2:16M
Later in the season Early Rose and Al
dine appeared on the scene, but, notTith-
standing Bair drove them in 2:1612, it was
not public race, nor before an assembly
of turfmen, and the general opinion was
that Mr.. Work still held the belt. So the
year 1882 closed, but Mr.. VIM. 81. Wander
bit, last spring, realized his most san
guine team imaginings by driving Maud
S. and Aldine in 2:l515. Meantime Mr..
VIM. Rockefeller, one of the TO emost in the
sealskin brigade during the driving sea-
son of Gotham, purchased Cleora, sensa-
tional trotter, that, after brief turf ca
reer, made record of 2:184 under ad
verse circumstances. 1t was found
that she was a perfect pole marc and
could go very fast with the gray
stallion Independence, who had shown
fully as fast time in harness. This season
they we're carefully prepared by Gilbert,
and sent to Hartford to do battle for the
honor of the record. First fast trial in
2:18I created great furore; but when
the fact that they had made a record of
2:1615 was flashed over the wires, the ex-
element in driving circles all over the
country knew no bounds.
At this juncture Mr.. Work engaged Muir
ply to drive his team, and found they were
as speedy as before, having shown him a
mile in 2:17. Visions of 2:15-thus dis
posing of Messrs. Vauderbilt's and Rookie
feller's claims to having the best double
team-rose up before him, and, with tins
sanguine hope, he sent them to Hartford,
so that with one blow his petit would
become the acknowledged champions
once more. The trial came, and, rs
will be seen by the report below,
the Edward and Swiveller dynasty has set
for the present, 'if not for all time," and
Mr.. Rockefeller's Independence and Cleora,
by the record 2:1615, and public perfor-
nance to road wagon, 2:1S, with a losing
break by Independence, have become
giants in the realm of team trotting.
It is now time to describe the battle
against the scythe bearer. The first an
nouncement of the starting judge that the
teams would do an exercising mile, was
received with deep interest; but when the
real heats began, an eager, forward lean
ing throng, full of delightful anticipa-
tions, excited by the prospect of seeing
the records of both teams beaten, were
hushed in expectation, and as hundreds of
watches indic tied the quarter, there was
a murmur OF hopes and doubts.
Mr.. Works team was the first to begin
the conflict, and when they passed the
stands with Murphy behind thea, seated
on bright red track skeleton, of gossam-
cry appearance, the merits and defects of
the horses were as closely commented on
as if they were "Tartars of the Ukraine
breed" just landed in Amer ca. At length
they are turned near the head of the home
stretch, and all was breathless anxiety as
they began to speed thirty gait at the
distance stand. They came down to the
wire like one hors Q, going very level and
true. Receiving the word, they went off
very fast to the quarter, in SO Il seconds.
The pace was telling one, for the next
quarter was made in 34I
seconds, the half being 1:073.
At this point Mr.. Work, who was
seated in the ladies' stand, I'M mediatelz in
the rear of the reporters gallery, arose.
1t was moment of heart-qusking sus-
pense as, watch in hand, he trembled for
the honors of the day. There was visi-
bic slackeDiug of pace on the third turn,
but when Hlckok's running horse to sulky,
was started up alongside, they were urged
to renewed exertions, making the third
quarter in 35 seconds, the three-q quarter
pole being reached in ;42ll or at the rate
OF 2:17 for the mile. perhaps Murphy
mas been saving them for brush down
the home stretch" suggest the sanguine;
but when he went resolntely to work at
them, it was apparent they had nothing
left, particularly Swiveller, who looked
and acted very weary in the last fifty
yards. But Murphy never gave up rally
ing them, in an artistic manner, until they
passed under the wire in 2:1S, the last
quarter being trotted in 35l Il seconds, and
last half in 1:1015.
A gloom spread itself over all the ad-
mirers of the team, and have no doubt it
was in real pain of spirit that their owner
counselled with Murphy where his faithful
foreman, Boston," was cooling out the
horses. 1 sought AR. Work in the grand
stand for a short interview, but learned he
was talking with Murphy under the shade
of an elm tree. 1 may mention, incident
ally, that Edward came back to the stand
with ears pricked, and looking bright as
dollar, but his mate seemed jaded. I hear
he was suffering from cold, and has been
coughing for the past few days. When
they left New York Mr.. Work told friend
of mine they could certainly trot in 2:15.
But it was no time now for regrets, for
curious thing in popular favor-when indie
pendence and Cleora were brought out ap-
plause rent the air, and praise was lavished
on them, also on Mr.. Rockefeller for al
lowing them to compete while they hold
the best record. The horses and turn out
presented the same neat appearance which
described when they trotted in 2:1811s the
first day of the meeting. They were also