Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-15
fRR BACH.
zen CLARK Unsxpeetedly Preves
Wilmer.

Zen CLARK Unexpectedly Proves
= winner.
Over 5000 people fiocked to the
Agricultural Park yesterday, attracted
by the fine weather and the prospect
of witnessing an exciting race for the
long-distance championship. Nor
were they disappointed, for though
the overhanging clouds and few
drops Of rain for time threatened an
unpleasant interruption, the afternoon
continued fine, and good race ended
ia a great surprise. 1t is needless to
recapitulate the events which led to
the contest under notice, as they are
we'll known to everyone. Still,
few thought when the match was
made that the comparative novice,
Ben Clark, would succeed in wrest-
ing the laurels Of victory from his
older and more experienced op-
ponents, Card Pugh and G. M. Ander-
son. This he succeeded in doing and
great credit is due to him
for the admirable GOODNESS and
judgment he displayed at every
stage of the contest. No doubt had
Pugh been more fortunate he would
have closely pressed the winner, if,
indeed, he would not have absolutely
won, but since one must overlook the
chapter of accidents which are
always liable to happen in reviewing
the result there is. none the less honor
due to Ben Clark for his plucky and
unexpected victory.
As was promised in our sporting
columns the horses were paraded for
some time before the start, in order
that the interested spectators might
judge their merits for themselves.
Keen judges passed them in review,
and great satisfaction was expressed
at the excellent trim in which the
different stables appeared. Poolsell-
ing was brisk and FIRST one and then
the other was favorite, each rider
seeming to have host OF admirers.
At the finish Pugh settled down a
good favoiite, selling for $40, CLARK
bringing SIS and Anderson $16
This may be accepted as the current
rate previous to the start, which tool
place at 2:34 P. M. Clark took the
lead from the start, and first one and
then the other was in front until the
eighth mile. Entering on the ninth
mile, Pugh's horse, roam, SHE'D al
the entrance gate on the stand side,
and swerving across the course,
jumped the rails and threw his rider.
For moment it seemed as if Pugh
was severely hurt, but quickly rising,
ne pluckily mounted and continued
the race, amidst loud plaudits from
the delighted spectators. From this
to the twenty-sixth mile the changes
were numerous, Pugh and Clark alter
mating in the lead, Anderson, whose
horses, with one or two exceptions,
seemed to be outclassed, bringing up
the rear. Finishing the twenty-sixth
mile Pugh was one hundred yards
ahead, when the gray horse
he was riding sweryed across
the course, and jumping the
rails threw and fell upon his unfortu-
nate jockey. This time Pugh was con-
siderally shaken and though no bones
were fractured, he was in no condition
TO continue tho contest. Anderson
was left in the lead, but it was merely
on sufferance as Clark, who had in nc
way distressed his mounts passed him
at will, aided by the superior quail.
ties OF his thoroughbreds, and rode
home an easy winner by half mile,
thus justifying the selection Of him as
the ultimate winner, by the HERALD's
sporting contributor, "Anglice." The
time as taken was ! hour, 13 minutes
and 80 seconds, which must be con-
sidered very good, although it failed
to approach the record. It was
thought that the extra care taken in
selecting and training horses for this
occasion would have enabled the con-
testants to beat the record, but as
counterpoise to this it must be remem-
bered that more time is taken in the
confusion of dismounting among
three riders than where there
are but two opponents. Mr.. 0. P.
Keyes was, as becomes his experience,
an efficient Judge, and he was assisted
by Messrs. B. J. Perry and B. Benja-
min, sporting editors respectively Of
the HERALD and Tribune newspapers.
Mr.. Chas. L. Heney wvs official time
keeper, and he was ably assisted by
Messrs. w. R. Furrey and w. Coltrin.
Apart from the unfortunate accidents
which marred the race, everything
was conducted in the most orderly
and straightforward manner. Every
credit is due to Mr.. S. Francis, the
manager of the race, for the ability
displayed in attending to each detail
which helps to perfect the arrange
ments of these meetings, and this one
may well be taken as a model for any
that may follow. For once Los An
geles audience left the race-track sat-
isfied with the entertainment pro-
vided for it, and sorry only that the
fayorite Card Pugh should have been
or, trfo~<.,vo{o