Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-23
JOHNSTON's GREAT EFFORT
The Famous Pacer Nearly Equals His Own
Record nt Ponghkeepsie = Susie
Again Defeats the Bold Rich
ardson = Marksman Maid
Captures the 2:27.

@Husou - uaFksmah "A1Au
Captures the 2s27.
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE DIsPArcH.i
PoUeHKEEPsIE. August q = It was the
opinion of more than one experienced turtle
that the third day of the grand circuit meeting
here would be made notable by further in
road on the domain of Father Time by that
marvellous harness horse, the PAGER Johnston.
who was to make another essay against his own
champion performance OF nearly five years ago,
when he turned the track at Chicago in 20611.
Father Time is always a redoubtable enemy.
Tonight finds him still triumphant, though the
PAGER made most creditable attempt to vic
tory. Doble, who has had the PAGER in charge
since he became the property Of John w. Con-
ley. of Chicago felt pretty confident of success,
and paid close attention to every detail in get
ting his flyer ready for a supreme effort.
1t was after 4o'clock when he brought Johns,
ton out for the trial John Splan, mis- old
driver, was behind Father John, the runner
used to make the pace. After a preliminary
trip past the stand, the horses went back up the
home stretch. Then Johnston came flying
under the wire, and the word sent him on his
way. In the getting round the first turn he
made misstep and usually perfect machinery
was so much out of geer that Doble pulled up
and came back for a second trial This time
the PAGER rounded the dangerous point safely,
and when he reached the first quarter the Off
elal timers noted that SlH seconds had passed.
eased trife. SO that the half was IN 10SH.
Sixty-two and half seconds now remained to
make the mile in the desired time, but even
Johnston was not equal to that, and despite
Doble's help and Splan's encouraging war
whoop, the tasted watch in the stand recorded
207 as the gelding finished the mile. Outsiders
timed it from 2:0715 to 207A and the officials
gave the horse all the favors that were going.
1t was great performance, but did not come
up to the general expectations, and time re-
NAMED the victor
Previous to Johnston's mile Belle Hamlin
had also entered the list In a tilt against her
awn record of 2:l33z. made at Cleveland in 1887.
The champion of the Almont trorters was van
the mile in 2:l41 She was driven by Andrews,
who handles G. j. Hamlin's trotters, and d. B.
Harrington, Secretary OF the Hudson River
Driving Park Association, drove a runner
alongside. The mare broke just after being
sent of the first time, but went steadily at the
second attempt, making the first quarter in
3411 seconds, the half mile in 1:0T11 and the
mile in 2l41I. most of the outsiders timing it
slower.
There were only two events on the regular
programme and they did not treluire more than
seven heats to decide both. The local mare,
Marksman Maid, won a creditable victory in
the 2N class, beating the favorite, Maud
Muller, and two others. She is = well-bred
young trotter, her sire, Marksman. being by
Thorndale. out of daughter of Volunteer.
while her own dam was by Chester, a son of
Alexander's Abdallah. Marksman Maid won a
heat in her race at Buffalo two weeks ago. but
was sick and had to be drawn before 1t was
finished. She started here in the Poughkeep-
sic stake, but found the company there too fast
and was wisely saved for an easier contest.
Maud Muller, who was the tip. got one heat
and record of 221% but that was her limit.
The 2:l8 class was a gift to the sure-footed
Kentucky mare, Susie 8, who showed speed
enough to warrant the assertion that she could
have materially reduced her record had 1t been
necessary. for she logged home every time,
even when she trotted the third heat in 2:lSN.
Summarizes:
2:T class
Marksman Maid. ...........................z 1 1
hauu
rank .: ...'........4
Time. 2:2lk, 2:22, 2:21X, 2:22.
2:1s c:ass, purse g. 500
L L
j. b. Richardson
o o