The Portland daily press., 1883-10-12
FEMININE GILPIN's.
A Pleasant Day at Presumpscot PARK

'Time and tide cannot be tethered" accord
ing to poetical assertion, but horsemen seem
slow to be convinced of it as an established
fact. 81. /. c." trots mile in 2.10 "a and in
'ye olden times 2.40 was regarded as the acme
Running races are novelty in New Eng
land, though the favorite sport in the South.
All the people there can give you the exact
time of Lexington, 7.28 in four mile race, or
that of the fastest mile on record run by Harry
Perrett at New Orleans, la.
But our people had taste of running rae
ing at Presumpscot Park yesterday afternoon.
The contest was race of ten miles by Ken
lucky race horses ridden by Miss Myrtle Peek,
a sprightly and rather pretty lady, and Nine.
Marantette, lady of more experience in years
and good judgment, although her competitor is
the champion The day was fine and the at
tendance good, but had the public been
properly informed it certainly must have been
much larger. AS it was there was large ar
ray OF fashionable vehicles in which were
many well known citizens. The track was in
fair condition though heavy in many parts.
The crowd were inclined to be impatient,
for it had passed the hour, when a line of
blanketed horses, led by colored and plain
grooms, soothed them into expectation.
Then barouche appeared containing the
heroines. They were attired in rich velvet rid
ing costumes, Miss Peek with purple and the
Madame in garnet. The ladies were promptly
seated in the saddles of their awaiting and
impatient steeds and with slight preliminary
exercise the race began. Mr.. w. @. Rich,
representing the Spirit of the Times, acting as
time-keeper and judge.
The horses would hardly find favor in the
eye of the spectator who had not the intelli-
gence to look for speed and endurance. They
were thin of course, and nervous with
large eyes, small, quick ears and many other
| points we'll known to the breeders of thorough
bred horses.
The ladies were mounted and rode before the
| judges stand, where they were introduced.
Then, without further ceremony, they were
startnd. The first mile was ran in 2.01 "a,
| which was the fastest except the last. Changes
| were made at every full mile by the riders but
some of the horses appeared twice, the gallant
| grey mare for instance. A little bay that had
never shown the white heather before, quit
| badly, and sorrel stallion that can be count
ou VI pun 1Oi 4'1o3 Holpou LII III Inc gap on the
next mile. The riders were bounced from one
saddle to the other SO lively that there seemed
scarcely wait before they were off again. On
the tenth mile, Madame Marantetts seemed to
lose her seat at the start by the sudden jump
ing OF her horse. She caught his neck, how
ever, and the groom replaced her on the seat,
all of which was accomplished almost in an in.
| stant
The final tenth mile was so close that some
thought it a dead heat, both riders using whip
and voice at the finish. 1t was decided that
the Madame won by half neck, in the re-
markedly good time all things considered, Of
| 20.03. This is within two seconds of the best
time that Miss Peek, the champion, has ever
made. The last mile was run in 1.5S. The
fine stud of horses, nine in number, are the
| property of Mr.. D. u. Harris, and the mana.
ger of the exhibitions is Mr.. Frank 81. Hale
They ride at Lewiston on Saturday which
will be their last appearance in Maine
The following is the time made yesterday in
| the aggregate: