Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-10-07
Between Hal Pointer and Direct at
Terre Haute, Ind.
EACH HORSE TAKES ONE HEAT,
And the Third Will Be Run To-Day-Ths Beau
tiiul Bruiss Chase Round the Track Neck
and Neck, There Bsing Daylight
Between Them at no Time.
Firs! Heat 21S-Second
211-0lhsr Sports


Nature showed up rare autumn day, a
little too cool, however, for harness
horses to be at their best. All night
and this morning there were busy men
and teams working on the track, which
was put into good shape.
Early in the morning rumors were
current that there was hitch in the
Direct-Hal Pointer match, that Monroe
Salisbury, owner OF the black stallion,
would not start his horse and had mol
worked him out yesterday, having in
view race for to-day. The rumors
found little credence with the people,
and by p. m. fully $4,000 people were
on the grounds.
At 3 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 sad
die. The position was maintained to
the quarter in 35 seconds; they went to
the half in 1:091l and it was seen that
Geers, on Pointer, had mapped his cam
paign to beat the black stallion in the
home stretch, and that such plan was
to Starts satisfaction. As d double
team they passed the three-quarters in
1:42 and then the drive began. The
lash descended on the stallion
and gamely he answered it.
Pointer, as ever, was maintaining a
slight lead answering every stroke Of
the stallion, and held the heat safe.
When within one hundred and fifty feet
of the wire, Starr with magnificent
drive, brushed Direct with a terrific
speed on to him, carrying him off his
feet, and the heat was his. The last
quarter having been done in 81 seconds,
and the last eighth in 1917 seconds,
Pools now sold; Direct $50, Pointer $40.
In the second heat, Geers, knowing
that he could not win the battle In the
last quarter against the phenomenal
speed burst made by Direct, changed
his tactics, and in scoring, brought Di-
rect down to the wire at heartbreak-
ing gait. The word was given to a
splendid start and locked they went to
the quarter in "a seconds, Pointer max
ing Direct attend strictly to business; to
the half In 1907, and the fight began.
With every nerve drawn to its
utmost tension the game horses
fought it out down to the. third
quarter. Their speed was quickened
to a killing pace, and victory could only
be to the one that could live through.
In 80 seconds they were to the third
quarter. The lash then began to fall
upon the stallion, and the two drivers,
using every endeavor and art known to
the profession, urged on the flying
steeds.
Slowly but surely Hal Pointer closed
up on the stallion. At the distance
stand he is at his neck, half way home
he is even, and so they renal nto within
fifty feet of the wire, when Geers ral-
lies Pointer and ne goes under the wire
winner by nose.
Darkness coming on the race goes
over to tomorrow, when the track will
be an edge and some sensational time is
certain. This evening the inwardnesS
OF Mr.. SaliSbury's action comes TO light.
Direct was short of work for hruising
race. BY delaying the race it could not
be completed to-day and the two heats
would serve to put Direct in shape for
tomorrow.
SUMMARY OF THE DAYS SPORT.
Wabash stake, 2-year-old, value 81, 1,o05-
Triumph won. Time, 2:3S.
2l6 pace, 2,OCO-Grant's Abdallah won.
Time, 2:l5.
Special pace (unfnished)-
Hal Pointer. ........................ l
Direct. ...................... L
Time, 2:l3, 2:ll.