New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-21
THE DEFEAT OF FREEL5ND.

mouth Park Yesterday came home with worn
out voices and aching heads. They spoke IN
hoarse Whispers because they had shouted so
long and Justify over the result OF the great
match that they had no louder tones left.
There has been excitement on Eastern race
tracks before and hosts of spectators have
greeted the triumphs of popular favorites with
tumults of enthusiasm. But the scene of yes
terday has had no parallel for many years in
this part of the country. Miss Wood
ford had overcome Freeland in the final,
browning contest and had resumed her
position of supremacy. As Maud 5. bears the
trotting laures of America. so Miss Woodford
bears those of thoroughbred racing.
II WAS the East against the West, too, and
though q large number of Western turfmen
were present, OF course the masses were Eastern
and exultcd over an Eastern victory. Ii is true
that Fieeland had been successful in two
previous contests with the famous mare, but 1t
was perfectly plain that she was not at her best.
She had been pctted and INDUCED too much,
and had not been given enough of the severe
trimming that Is indispensable for success
against rivals of the same class. That Freeland
must be counted in the same class with Miss
Woodford is now beyond dispute, and that
these two can outrun any horse in the country
is equally clear Their names will not be for
gotten while the turf is kept up in America.
A true ami worthy sou Of the majestic Long
fellow. whose superior for speed and staying
power could not be found In his time Free
land has the same tremendous stride, the same
stubbornness that will not falter or weaken
while the horse can stand on his feet Free
land is not beautiful. He is uncOuth. angular,
long and tall. and his proportions. except when
he Is looked on as a racing machine, are not
admirable. HIS action, except wncD he Is fully
extended in bis stride, is rather awkward. But
when he is flying up the homestretch at the
finish OF fast race, his movements are smooth
and easy, while they display marvellous power
and swiftness. His ankles are swollen and
somewhat stin, and one who saw
him in repose would hail him rs the champion
of the West and the superior In speed OF any
horse from Canada to the Rio Grando except
Miss Woodford.
But there is not much to choose between the
two for speed. Though her victory yesterday
waa n brilliant one tho marc f"-"-d q" IL"
her very utmost, and the race was decided by
neck ONLY. Freeland beat her by neck on
Tuesday. and many Western men are still firm
in the faith that if the prince Of colorcd jockeys
Isanc Murphy, had not been sick yesterday,
Freeland would have won again. Possibly
But Murphy showed no weakness or wavcrIng
in the race. Both Miss Woodford and Free
land were admirably ridden. No other
Jockey could handle either so
well "a the young men who
sat in the saddle yesterday. The two
minutes nine and half seconds Of the race
gave the keenest enjoyment to all lovers OF
racing in its highest and best form. They saw
the two fastest animals now on the turf on this
side of the ocean put to their greatest speed
and handled with the incest skill by two
masters of riding. And every second was
second Of thrilling excitement, for the race
was in doubt to the last stride.
Such stirring contests as these clear the air
of the turf, too often thick and foul from the
noisome stenches of selling races aud other
denominations We have far too much
racing now, and far too much
book making and swindling generally.
The Freeland- Miss Woodford series recalls
the better DAYS before Brighton Beach became
the fayorie resort of our prize-iighters and 9TH
or criminals, and before the influence OF profess
slonal gamblers became so potent on our tracks.