Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-18

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH.i
NEW YORK, September T.-It was an
open question this morning whether the
driving club was to have the usual post
ponement for the Inauguration of the Grand
Circuit at Fleetwood Park this afternoon.
When the sun appeared at short intervals
the prospects grew brighter, and the
track was in wonderfully good condition,
after the recent drenchiugs. From 1 o'clock
to the time for calling the first race the specta-
tors came from various points, some by rail via
Melrose. others in private carriages.
Considering the uncertain state OF the
weather, the attendance showed uncommon
interest in the sport The club members were
mustered in full strength, while well-known
TURTLES from near and far were to be seen
about the grounds. Captain R. w. Hunt, Sec
retary of the Island Park Association at AL
bany said he had not seen enough trotting last
week to satisfy him and so had come to Fleet
wood, and John s. Clark, of New Brunswick,
who has owned some fast and famous flyers,
made his first appearance since the grand Cir
cult opened.
PLENTY OF SPORTS.
There were quite a number of Brooklyn
horsemen, among them Arthur Benson, who
has officiated as starting judge at Hartford for
many years; F. T. Bedford, owner of Kitty
Patchen, an indefatigable roadster;J. F. Din
gee, who came to see his favorite mare, Miss
Alice, in her first engagement at home; ]. F.
Cornell, the well-known stable keeper who was
a close friend of Johnny Murphy, and many
Others
BY l30 o'clock the clubhouse was alive with
people and as the rain still held off everybody
flyers in battle array. It was the opinion of
many of those who make a business OF follow
ing the circuit and investing their dollars on
the horses that Sprague Golddust would land
the Morrisania stake, while Others thought the
young mare Miss Alice was fast enough to
beat him. 1t was generally agreed that the
issue was narrowed down to these two, and SO
far the judgment was good
stallion were doomed to disappointment, for
Miss Alice made short work OF the aftalr, and
in three consecutive heats had covered herself
and her driver, E. c. Walker, with glory.
Though the race was a short one, it was by no
means dull or uninteresting, for Sprague Gold
dust was not to be beaten without gallant
effort to assert his superiority.
AN EASY VICTORY.
The first saw the handsome mare in the lead
all the way, for she drew the pole and got a
good start but in the next she had to fight for
the lead, which the stallion took at once, bus
after one of the most brillIa ant finishes eve-
seen at the track, got her head in first at the
wire. The last heat found her mistress OF the
situation, for the stallion was not able to get
near her at all, and she came up the hill and
down the home stretch at a clip that left all
her opponents far behind
1t was great victory for mare who has had
but brief experience on the race track, and
speaks well for the care and skill with which
Mr.. Walker has handled her during this her
first season on the turf. This is the sixth time
Miss Alice has started this year, and she has
now won three of her engagements, with
second money in the Poughkeepsie stakes.
where Sprague Golddust carried off the honors.
Her best mile to-day was in 222 in the third
heat, which she could have trotted faster had
it been necessary, and considering the heavyl
track it was equal to 22O under more favorable
conditions.
The second event, for the 2:25 trotters, was
thought to be pretty good thing for the Ken
tucky stallion Greenlander, but he was too late
to fight the race out, and after getting heat
was unable to get TO the front again, while the
black gelding Frank T proved too speedy for
the field. Frank 7 beat them easily in moderate
time. The Electioneer mare, Morea. made her
flrst appearance in the Grand Circuit and
showed quite lot of speed, which she was not
in shape to carry for mile. 1t rained torrents
before the last and the 232 class was postponed
TILL tomorrow.