The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-07
Last Quarter of the First Mile Covered by the
Former in 81 Seconds and the Eighth In
IL 1I2 in a Wonderful Burst of Speed.
Track in Good Condition for the Finish
and Even Better Results Expected.
Other Events Won by Triumph and Grants
Abdallah-StallOns AllertOn and Nelson
to Trot for $4,000 Purse on Thursday.
DIRECT AND HAL POINTER.
Both Racers Take Heat in the Great Ra,

Both Racers Take Heat in the Great Race
at Terre Haute-Not Finished.
TERRE HAUTE. Ind, Oct. 6.-Nature
showed mp rare autumn day, o little too
cool. however. for harness horses to be at
their best. All night and morning were
busy men and teams working the track,
which, by noon, was in good shape, not
lightning fast, but safe and of the footing
that horses revel in. Early in the morning
rumors were current that there was hitch
in the Direct-Hal Pointer match. that
Monroe Salisbury. owner of the black stall
lion. would not start his horse. and had
not worked him out yesterday, having in
view a race for to-day. The rumors found
little credence. and by p. NJ. fully twelve
thousand people were on the grounds. The
two-year-old trot and the 2:16 pace were
about through. and the crowd was becom-
ing impatient for the appearance of the
champions, when President Ijams mounted
the starters stand and announced that
Mr.. Salisbury had declined to start Direct,
that the association had offered the
money in good faith and were prepared to
pay it to the winner of the race; that Mr..
Hamlin was ready to start his horse. and
rather than to disappoint the people In at
tendance would send him q mile against
his record of 2:O924. At 4:30 Geers. behind
Hal Pointer, appeared on the track, but
before he had finished warming up, Presi-
dent Iiams announced that Mr. Salisbury
had changed his mind and would start his
stallion.
At o'clock the two PAGERS scored up for
the word. Pointer having the pole. After
several scores the word was given, with
Direct at Pointers saddle. This position
wasmaintained to the quarter. In 35 seconds.
On they went to the half, In 1:09A and it
was seen that Geers had mapped his CAM
paign to beat the black stallion in the
home stretch, and that such was to STAIRS
satisfaction. AS double team they passed
the three-quarters In LAP, and then the
drive began. The lash descended on the
stallion, and gamely he answered it. Point
er, as ever, was maintaining slight lead,
and answering every stroke of the stallion.
held the heat safe, until within l5O feet OF
the wire, when Starr, with a magnificent
drive, brushed Direct with terri bic burst
of speed on to HIM, carrying him off his
feet, and the heat was his, the last quarter
having been done in 81 seconds. the last
eighth in 13ls seconds Pools now sold:
Direct, $50; Pointer. $40.
VERY CLOSE HEAT.
In the second heat Geers, knowing that
he could not win the battle in the last quar-
ter against the phenomenal speed-burst
held by Direct. changed his tactics. and,
in scoring. brought Pointer down to the
wire at heart-breaking gait. The word
was given to splendid start, and locked
they went to the quarter in "a seconds.
Pointer making Direct attend strictly to
and then the fight began. With
every nerve drawn to its utmost
tension, the game horses fought it out.
Down the third quarter the pace was quick
ened to O killing pace and victory could
only be to the one that could live it
through, There was no endeavOr to save
the horses for the final brush. The battle
was on and was to be fought out; endur-
ance and gameness would tell the tale.
All was hazard. In thirty:two Sec
onds & they we're re-. to h.tae the third fd,, quar-,
the stallion and the two drivers. using
every endeavor and art known to the pro-
fession, urged on the flying steeds Slowly
but surely Hal Pointer closed upon the
stallion. At the distance stand he is at
and so they remain to within fifty
feet of the wire when Geers rallies Pointer
aud he goes under the wire winner by
q nose. Pandemonium broke loose; cheer
after cheer greeted the victor. Darkness
coming on the race went over till to-mor-
row, when the track Will be to an edge and
sensational time certain. This evening the
inwardness of Mr.. Sallsbury's action came
to light. Direct was short of work for q
fast race. By delaying the start the race
could not be completed to-day and the two
heats would serve to put Direct in shape
for tomorrow.
In the two-year-old race Triumph won as
he liked, losing the first heat through
swerving into the fence at the first turn.
In the 2:16 pace pools sold: Lee H.. S5C;
field $50. In the first heat Frank Dortch
and Lee Fl. fought it out, Grants Abdailah
being laid up. Dortch unfinished Lee III.
In the three last heats Grants Abdallah.
Lee Ii. and Frand Dortch had il from wire
to wlre but each ended In Grants Abdallah
having the most speed. Summaries:
Wabash stake for two-year-Olds; value,
$1,000:
Triumph. by Redwood. ood..-.--...2 1