St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-07
ROBERT ] A WIZARD.
He Slashes Another Big Chip
Off the Pacing Record at
indianapolis.
GOES A MILE IN 2:02 1-2
and That, Too, in the Second
Heat in His Race With
Joe Patchen.
PATCHEN DID WONDERS, TOO
Close on to Robert j at the
FiniSh--His Time Was
2:O2 3-4.
GOES A MILE IN 2:02 l. 2
pATCHEN DID WONDERS, TOO

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Sept. 6.-To-
night the flag of honor floats over the
track of the indianapolis Driving CLUB.
and the sun Of rerre Haute and Fort
Wayne has been eclipsed; Robert j, the
great son OF Hartford, reigns snpreme
as king of the turf, and the pennant
waves above his stall at the state fair
grounds. The match race for a purse
OF 5000 between Robert and Joe
Patchen was expected TO bring forth
some phenomenal speed, but not one of
the 10000 people gathered at the
track this afternoon was prepared for
The terrific smashing of records
tnat began with the word "go'' thun-
dered from the stand by Starter Walker
at $50 o'clock. The day was all that
could be desired and the track was
perfect. All the necessary elements
were present which enter into the pro-
duction OF great speed. The light rains
of the thirty hours previous had been
absorbed by the yielding earth, and
forces of men under the direction of the
track superintendent had been at work
constantly since. Nothing had been
omitted and when the final moment came
not a member of the association pres
ent but who was confident that with the
condition of the track, no blame could
be attached if new records were not
made. The heats OF the previous runs
were passed over in haste, and the
crowd had become somewhat i'm
patient when Starter Walker adj
vanced TO the front of the stand, and,
facing the enormous audience, an
nounced that the race would be the
feature of The programme. Looking
out over the track, he said to Secretary
Graves. of the club:
s'Look Cut for Records"
"Both of these horses are in the best
possible condition. and Jack Curry has
promised TO give the little horse the
race OF his liie."
Over at the stables of the flyers all
was confusion as the final touches were
put upon the preparation of the horses
for the great contest for blood. Geers
had heard of the open boast of Curry.
and had replied in his peculiar, quiet
way:
"Is that so? Well. old boy, We'll have
TO 90 some, won't we?" aud he patted
the little wander on the neck in an af-
fectionate manner. At the same mo-
ment that Starter Walker made the an
nouDcement TO the crowd, the masses of
humanity at the gates were parted, and
from the breach appeared upon the
track simultaneously the two horses.
A mighty cheer went up as Geers anG
Curry drove quietly down in front
OF the amphitheater and logged
to the turn. The crowd be.
came breathless as they returned
TO get ready to start. Five minutes
later. they halted moment before tine
stand, the last touches were adminis.
tered to both horses, every strap ant
buckle was closely inspected and tn,
two swept down the track for the word
Both drivers seated themselves firmll
i'll their seats and neither looked at tht
other. They were in no humor 70
jestiDg. There was a determined ant
set expression upon theSface OF each
Curry was determined to give tn,
brown horse the greatest and hotties
race of his life, while Geer
was equally confident that h
could pull out just enough to keel
ahead. He knew the humor of hi
horse and his heart, never trembled
Scarcely had the two horses turned 70
the start when the brown and blacl
gave great leaps forward and she
down to the stand ct a terrific pace
Both drivers held back and Patchel
was rendered unsteady by the lines
Walker saw the situation aud calle
them back The second start was
success. Both horses were at thei
stride and less than neck aparI
Down the track they came terrib!
pace. with perfect motion and eve
Stride
''GO.'' Yelled Walker,
leaning far over the railing of the stant
and the crowd arose as one mai
Around the turn the two rivals shot, AN
at the quarter 81 Il was announced. NJ
an inch OF divergence as to the relativ
position could be seen. 1t was &
though The two great horses were ben
fmpelled by some unseen force. as tn
movement of their legs on the bac
stretch could not be seen. "1:O2l
at the half'' was called GU
and the crowd cheered. Sti
the two horses remained togethe
Curry hanging stubbornly at Geer
wheel. The latter turned his hea
slightly and seemed to be studyin
chances. He saw the situation at
glauce. He was IN the race of his iii
with an opponent that was worthy
his steel. He spoke to the little brow
and there was an immediate respons
be forged ahead a nose as the two swel
into the turD, and there was sligl
check noticeable as the las. curve Y;
being cut down. Both drivers gathere
the reIns fer the stretch and ::
at the three-qaafters was yelled fro
the stand. Then began the mac rst
home. Curry spoke 10 the handsou
black, and Patehen responded by strai,
Ing every muscle. The great hor,
seemed to recognize that This vas 4
moment when he could revenge himse
for former defeats. he came UP
even term, and, with distended nee
and flaming nostrils, thundeted aloI
at the little browns side. Ii was a su
prise TO the little wonder himse
who was unaccustomed to having