Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-02
Nancy Hanks's Fine Mile.

The third day Of the Grand Circuit har-
ness racing at Fleetwood Thursday
showed a marked increase IN the attsnd-
ance. Not since the day when Jay-Eye-
See and Sc. julien trotted there has
Fleetwood had so many people inside
It's gates. Estimates OF the number pres
ent varS from 5000 to 1900. FROM tho
Judges stand the sight was peculiar
and impressive one. A rocky blum, aver
aging sixty feet In height. overlsoks the
entire length OF the homestretch; perched
on the bluff are the grandstand. betting
paddock, clubhouse and an extra stand
to the north OF the members lawn. All
these places were filled to their utmost
capacity and every yard OF the terraceo
slopes between these points and the edso
OF the track was black with people.
The great majority OF the crowd wer"
presumably attracted by the promised ap-
pearance er the champion trotter, Nancy
Hanks. Her attempt against tho watch
was the main topic Of conversation IN
every part OF the grounds. When tho
spectators saw Doblc bring her out on the
track about 2 O'Clock. for a pipe-opener.
and saw how lightly and dainuly sho
stepped and noted all the other signs or
perfect health and superb condition,
there were few horsemen present who did
not predict a great exhibition OF speed.
Between $50 and O'clock. John Dicker-
son drove Adam Forepaugh. the runner
which chases after Nancy In all her triaiss
and gave him good rousing mile, Just 10
timber him up. Meantime the track Was
scraped and brushed. Nancy had gone
a steady mile about O'Clock I'm about
2:25. and at Everything was ready. Pres-
ident Mcmillan came to the front or inc
Judges stand and announced that Doblo
would drive Nancy Hanks against tho
track record of 209Si made on Wednes-
day by Directum. Cries or ihe earu
saws against the record, 2Oi came froHi
an parts OF the immense throng. The
outcry subsided quickly, however. In'
people settled down to watch what every
one knew must be the fastest harness
mile ever trotted IN the East. Nor wero
those expectations disappointed After
soaring down once Doble nodded for tho
word. and away went the gallant ilttie
mare. Going round the FIRST turn, whicn
g. n ehorp one. she seemed To hang just
a trlde. but when on0e In the long stretch
of the first quarter she extended ne,
stride. and the quarter pole was passc,
I'm 3il, seconds; every man VINO haa
stop watch had Il in his hand, ana Az
Nancy reached the quarter, the siinuitah-
eous exclamation up" by loVO voices
sounded like a sharp clap or thunder.
Along the backstretch the figures OF mare
and man were sharply outlined against
the white fence. and the machine-ike ssis
of the sturdy little mare was clearly Visi-
hle. The cry. as she passed the haii' was
O2is. Towards the three-duarters poio
the track trends away htue To VIZ
right. and this angle made the clip Scent
faster than Il was: but IL was ohiy
I .24S at the three-quarters pole. IL was
anparent that her Terre Haute recorus
2Ol would stand. A.,
DohIe had never made a move Juss
talking her on, but as she swept arouno
the turn into the short homestre,cn.
lesa than 800 yards from the wlre' no
shifted the bit In her mouth, ana calleu
n, bis mare for her best. As Nancy
dashed for the wire she seemed 20 throw
! herself forward with every strlhe' Nn',
her feet gathered well under her ana
rang out the hoof-beats as regularly hhp
! ronldlv as the roll Of drum. There was
n universal yell OF satisfaction when ,tc
| Judge announced the figures. 2'"'i' her
record OF 2Ot was made on the Ierra
/ Itaute which ~ square course
with rounded corners, and admitt-
! ed 10 be from three 10 TOUT
| eeconds faster than Fleetwoou'
which. because OF its odd shape. "
nne of the worst for q rpcnrd'nrsr'S..'s
performance. Expert horsemen VINO nave
| seen the gallant little trottcr In most or
ber races and exhibitions say her mii'
Yesterday over the grades AMI rounh tho
| sharp curves at Fleetwood Is the greatest
of her whole career.