The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-07

Second race, one half mile heats; purse SIPS:
S75 to first, $35 to second and SIS to third
First heat: Ella, L; Virginia, 2; Fitz Lee, 8.
Second heat: Fitz Lee, |; Ella. q Crown Prince,
8, Third heat: Ella, /; Fitz Lce,a
Third race, ono and one-eighth miles dash:
Katie c., l; Dover. .: Mcloc,3
The scene at the Driving Park yester-
day afternoon was dismal one. Rain,
that great interferer with horse races
and circuses, was falling steadily, form
ing little pools of water all over the
grounds and making the track soft and
heavy.
At the time of starting the first race,
$40, but few people were present
and they were all huddled in the grand
stand or betting sheds, casting sorrow
ing glances at the muddy track and in
dulging in very uncomplimentary re-
marks about the weather. But one or
two trips of the dummy helped to swell
the crowd and by O'clock tho grand
stand was we'll filled. A few bravo
spirits fingered on the quarter stretch
and witnessed the races from there.
Rain seems to have no effect on the
ladies, for the fair six turned out in
good numbers and took as much interest
in the events as did their escorts, and
many trip was made to the betting
shed by gallant cavaliers, who invested
their ladies' money quite freely, and
generally on the wrong side.
Only the running races came eff. Ow-
ing to the muddy condition of the track
the trotting races were postponed until
tomorrow. Monday. On that day there
will be the free-for-all trotting race,
consolation race and two matched races
The card is strong one, and if the
weather is favorable a large crowd will
undoubtedly he present. The auction
sale Of biooded stock was also postponed
on account of the rain. Due notice will
be given through the papers when it's to
be held.
The judges yesterday were: Mcssrs.
.jamison, Williams and Howell, while
M. L. c. Jordan handled tho flag.
The first race was a %-mile dash.
Tho starters were Count Mo-In, Story
Teller, Charleston and Trousers. It
took good deal of maneuvering to get
the horses in line, but they finally sue
ceeded in getting good start The
bunch kept we'll together on their first
flight as they passed the judges stand.
Then they began to string out and
Count-Me- In was an easy winner by
about length, with Story Teller
The second event was one-half mile
heats. good deal of scratching was
done and but four horses faced the STAR
ter for the first heat, namely: Virginia
Belle, Ella, Crown Prince and Fitz Lee
The betting was all in favor of Fitz
Lee, largo odds being offered on him
with no takers. Four false starts we're
made before the horses wero allowed to
go and when they did get away Fitz
Lee was far in the rear. Notwithstand-
ing his poor start Fitz Lee made a gal
liant fight but he is distinctly no mud
horse and could finish no better than
third, Ella winning with Virginia Belle
second. Time, SEX.
by this time the track had become n
regular mud puddle and both horses and
iockies were literally covered with mud.
The third race was an eighth milo
dash Trousers was scratched and
Dover, Katie c. and Medoc were sent to
the post. The first start was successful
and the horses passed tho grand stand
we'll together. Then Katie c. began to
trail and her hackers were growing
anxious. But at tho home stretch the
gallant mare spurted and came under
the wire by winning length. Dover
was second and Medoc brought up the
rear. Time, 2:O71s.
The next event was the second half
mile heat Of the second race When
this heat was called the rain was CON-
ing down steadily and everything was
drenched AS in the first heat Fitz Lee
was hot favorite and had many backers.
despite his previous defeat. Two false
starts were made, and then Starter Jor-
dan got the horses in a good position
and sent them off together. Tho heat
was Fitz Lees from the start and he
won it easily, with Ella second and
Grown Prince third. Time, 53%
After short interval the third heat
was run, and this was by far the most
exciting event Of the day. Fitz Lee and
Ella were the only starters, and Fitz
Lee was big favorite. Ella also had
many friends in the crowd who knew
her worth as a mud horse, and tho bet
ting was quite lively. The horses got
Off we'll together and when thoy passed
the first post they were neck and neck
Down the stretch they flew side by side.
The second post is passed and they are
still neck and neck. Into tho home
stretch they sweep and honors are still
even The hackers of Fitz Lee wore not
uneasy, however, as they had full conf
dence in their horse and were confident
he would win.
The horses Numbered on toward the
judges stand, still neck and neck. Both
riders were working hard, but Fitz Lee
could not shake off his plucky adver-
sary. 1t looked as though it would be
dead heat and the horses passed the
grand stand side by side. But at the
last moment Ella made ono last squirt
and stuck her nose under the wire first,
winning by short head. Time, 55L.
The only feature of the races which
was not dampened by tho rain was the
Machine Works Rand IIndar Toodor