Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-07-22
A MEMORABLE FOUR-MlLE HEAT
RACE

A MEMORABLE FOUR-MlLE HEAT
RACE.
Following is telegraphic report of
the great four-mile heat-race which took
place at "the old Ocean house track" on
November 10, 1873. Probably there new
er was more exciting contest or as
much money wagered on any event in this
country as the one described below. saws
the Breeder and Sportsman. Thad Stevens
was a Californian, True Blue and Joe
Daniels Kentucky-bred. 1t is believed
that better horse than the former for a
racing event of this description never
lived, and as there are thousands resid-
ing in California who saw the struggle
between the giants of the far West and
South over eighteen years ago and would
like to see it again, even through the
spectacles of racing reporter, we re-
print the story that clicked over the
wires and brought so much woe to Ken
lucky hearts:
Never since the nrst introduction of
horse racing into this State have its res
idents been so excited over race as
they have been to-day over the great
four-mile heat race. No one can wonder
at the interest taken in it, for was not a
Californa-bred horse to contend against
two of the very best horses from the
East. One the son of the grandest four
mile horse that eyer looked through n
bride (Lexington), and the other son
of imp. Australian, in whom was COM
bined the best blood of the English turf.
Added to the natural interest thereby en-
gendered, the day was one of the most
delightful of the season, and one peculi-
arly Californian. a mellow haze en-
veloped the surrounding hills, while a
gentle breeze from off the Pacific toned
the atmosphere to a refreshing TEMPER
allure, added to which the music of the
surf as it rolled in, nearly touching the
western extremity of the track, made
the scene one of almost indispensable
grandeur BY II o'clock the grand rush
had fairly set in, and a dense column of
horses, foot and carriages streamed
steadily over the hill and down the ave
nue. leading to Ocean Park. Every
available means of conveyance appeared
to have been brought into service from
a four-in-hand drag to ricketv cart of
the vegetable peddler. Thousands Of
persons came by the trains of the San
Jose railroad and walked the Intervening
distance of a mile. Within the park the
scene was fairly suggestive of the En-
gish Derby day. Hundreds of aristo-
cratic establishments were crowded to-
gether, occupied by gay votarics of
fashion, who discussed the probability
of the approaching race with animation
and the contents of their hampers with
equal earnestneSs. The hackmen are
charging $40 load from the city, GUS
toners finding their own CONVEYANCE
back. The great Spectator offered the
managers of the race $1,000 for the re-
ceipts of the gate, Independent of the
receipts of the stands and extras. The
offer was refused. True Blue. Thad
Stevens, Joe Daniels and Mamie Hall
were moderately exercised this morning.
and appeared to be in excellent cond-
ton. The friends and supporters of
True Blue remarked from time to time
that the horse was little stiff about the
knees, and lacked the desired amount of
luster in his eyes-a statement that was
Invariably received with significant
winks. mods, etc, by the keen adopts in
matters pertaining to the turf. The
true state of affairs was shrouded with a
suspicious mystery that the race alone
could explain to the uninitiated. The
gossip of the stables failed to contain
any point of interest other than the re-
port that the owner of True Blue de-
pended upon distancing Thad Stevens in
the first heat, and falling in this he had
serious doubts of winning the contest.
At p. m. the grounds presented a
dazzling scene of animation. The pro.
portions of the ground had swollen with
marvellous rapidity, and there were at
least 10000 people on the course. The
main road leading thereto was hidden
for mile by cloud of dust, and a con-
tinuous procession of buggies poured
steadily down the hill to the east. The
pool-selling was commenced at noon.
and opened briskly at large figures in
the two hours that interviewed before the
horses were called. \ heavy sum was
deposited in the banks for cashing
pools. the sum of which was between
$4,000 and $4,000. Thad Stevens was
the favorite by greatly increased odds.
a report industriously circulated that
True Blue had exhibited symptoms
of stiffness may have had some inlu-
ence, but the confidence IN the Califor-
mia favorite was still very strong. The
ratio in pools between Thad Stevens and
True Blue at that hour Il p. NO. was
nearly three to one. The following
shows the average pools an hour before