Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23

tne season DcSlus rdcing ROts OIL III sOme part
of England almost continuously. The result
is we do not get the best possible results out
of the horses. We should have only few
prominent meetings during the year, and
every energy should be bent toward getting
the very best conditions of the turf So
many meetings mean the introduction of in
ferior horses into most of them that they may
or may not be run upon their merits. A few
great meetings and few fine courses would
be far better for the turf than these many in
ferior ones.
"I went to the first Derby in 1S4o and
have seen, with some rare exceptions, every
one from that day to this. There is much
sameness in all these contests, and there are
other meetings which 1 prefer to Derby
day. had quite novel experience going
down there this year. 1t was to be my fifty
fifth or sixth journey TO the famous racecourse
and did not like the uncertainty of either
getting down or back in the crowded trains.
So 1 concluded that would ride down on
horseback. had a splendid mount, and
thought to make pleasant day of the jour
ney by circling around through Richmond
Park, which made the distance longer, but
gave me delightful route.
FoRTY-FoUR MILES IN SADDLE.
"But as 1 had pleasant companions did
not mind. We reached the course in good
time, saw the wonderful crowd and the race.
We then started homeward, and 1 pulled
rein at nv house in London early in the
evening, having covered A miles on horse
back, after having had pleasant day in
celebrating my half century experiences
with the Derby, even if was drenched to
the skin by a brisk shower which overlook
US on our way home"
''What was the most exciting event you
ever saw at the Derby?"
"The horse that wins is usually so sure
winner that there is no chance for great ex-
citement, which usually comes only with
close finishes. Do you know that since the
establishment of the Derby, in 1882, there
has been run only two dead heats? One was
in 1928, between Cadland and the Colonel.
The other was in 1884, between Harvester
and st. Gatian, now one of the greatest
stations in England. The race was very
exciting one, and the finish set the crowd
crazy. Harvester vas q hot favorite, and
immense sums of money were laid upon him
to win. Such thing as his being defeated
was not seriously considered, and until st.
Gatian went to work at him within a short
distance OF the finish, it was supposed that
he had the race practically to himself if he
stood sound, which was doubtful.
A WONDERFUL FINISH.
"But as Mr.. Hammond's horse began to
gain on him at every stride after his jockey
began riding him, it became plain to every
one that there was to be Furnishing finish.
Both were very game horses, and not far
from home st. Gatian had worked him.
self up inch by inch until he was head and
head with the favorite. Both Jockeys were
riding like demons and the many thousand
people who were looking on became half
6. ,r,t Al ,;f of tboo
intense had been the interest, that when the
horses finished probably not a dozen people
besides the judges knew the actual result of
the race. The relief from the strain of the
finish was so grateful the crowd accepted
the verdict with composure. In this in
stance the stakes were divided instead of
being run of. as in 1928.
THAT was the most exciting Derby day
ever saw, and it is fair to presume that
very few people, young or old, who were
there, will ever look upon another like it.
AS it was 56 years from the first dead heat for
this famous event to the second, it is fair to
presume that it will be many years from 1884
before another tie is recorded between the
great horses who will contest for future
honors."
SOME FAMOUS sIREs.
'Do you like the running on the turf or
on q soft track as in America?"
PREFERS THE TURF.
"There is nothing like the turf. A horse
has some chance to get a foothold. Running
in the soft sand an animal is bound to slip
more or less and to lose entirely that firm
ness of touch that he has on the turf. Then
again the ground retards horses with a long
stride. see also that the new straight
course is being adopted as far as possible in
the United States. This Is quite right, as
the increased speed of the horses this season
has demonstrated"
isn't there great uncertainty in the speed
Of horses one day with another?"
Certainly. 1t depends entirely upon an
animals condition and spirit at the moment
how well he will run, and horse which
may make a poor show to-day may win a
great race tomorrow or next week. You
not only have to have the best horse, but
you must have him in the best OF condition
when he starts. The turf, like the DIANA,
will take care of itself3 It is the noblest Of
sports when condRted in the spirit of im-
proving the breed of horses, and testing the
results for speed and endurance"
FRANK A. BURR.