Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-30

hOQ.
Yesterday was perfect day for racing.
The sun shOne brightly at the Wheeling
Driving Park, and the fresh breeze that
swept up from the river on every side
nerved muscle and tendon with new life.
A perfect track and magnificent races
made the programme of a days sport,
and yet the city of Wheeling could hardly
turn out an audience that could be seen
in the vast expanse of the grand stand.
At 1:30p. NJ, half an hour before the
first race was called, not over one hundred
people had passed through the gates, and
these wandered aimlessly around and
looked surprised that they did not find
more present. At the book-makers stand
three pool sellers could not find heart to
raise more than a sickly chirp to the small
crowd Of sight seers and sporting men,
who surrounded them. In few minutes,
however, people began to pour in in a
lively stream, and by two o'clock an en-
thusiastic and appreciative audience, if not
large one, had gathered to witness one Of
the grandest races that has been seen on
the ground for years. For one of the con-
tests was grand. Nothing could surpass
the magnificent finish between King Bird
and John Roeber, and although the heat
was awarded on foul, every lover of ex-
citing sport enjoyed it thoroughly.
A GALLANT HEAT.
The first race was trot, three minute
class, purse $40O, best three out OF five. A
good field was presented, but from them
all Billy German, owned by W. G. Hand
Ian, of Wheeling, was decided favorite.
Among the knowing ones, it was early
given out that German had a
sure thing, and they were ready to back
him freely. Onward, Chauncey d., and
Charlie H., which had been entered in the
race, were drawn, leaving field of four
good starters. Besides Billy German,
there were Gould, the we'll known bay
gelding, owned By A. NJ. Spellman, Of
Wheeling, Frank NJ black gelding, own
ed by Henry Cox, Canal Dover, o., and
Niger Doctor, Jr., owned by Benjamin
Wlater, of Minerva, o. German, with Oh
Eisman up sold at odds of four to five
and was backed evenly in Paris mutuals
against the field. Frank NJ. was second
choice at odds of three TO five, and Gould
and Niger DR.. sold at one to nine and
one to five, with few takers. There was
great difficulty in making a start, and the
patience of the audience, judges and horses
was nearly exhausted when the word
20 was given. Even then Frank
NJ. was a length behind and 60
ing at gallop In an instant Gould shot
ahead and took the lead. There was clear
space between him and German when they
sped around the curve. The positions
were held until the back stretch was reach
ed, and the two Strengthened out for the
trot. There the gallant little bay began
slowly to crawl up on the leader, at the
the quarter pole they were even, and as
they swept around the curve and straight
ened out on the stretch, German began to
show head. The whip was plyed unmer-
cifully on Gould's TANKS, but he could not
regain the lost ground, and German pass
ed under the wire an easy winner, in the
very good time, 2:42. Niger Doctor and
Frank NJ. were never in the race, and both
we're distanced Paris mutusls on the
heat paid $3.50
A pacing heat intervened, and the next
heat of the trot was then called up. Ger
man and Gould were the only starters, and
the former sold a strong fayOrite. The
two horses got off on the second score, and
carn,an aasilv took the lead and held il to
the end. Both horses trotted well, but
neither was pushed, and the time was re-
markably slow. Two forty-nine was hung
out from the grand stand, but individual
time.keepers couldn't get it much less
than three minutes The third heat was
only repetition of the second, and Ger
man was the winner Of the race.