The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-09-07
MARVELLOUS PAGING.
The Great Match Race Between
Robert j. and Patchen,
TWO WORLDS RECORDS BROKEN.

The Second Heat the Fastest Mile Ever
Covered in Harness, Robert J. Making
a Record Of COG 1-2, with Patohen
only a Quarter Second Behind.
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. Z. 49, The flag Of
honor floats over the track of the Indian
apolis Driving club, and the sun Of Terre |
Haute and Fort Wayne has been eclipsed. |
Robert j., the great son of Hartford, |
reigns supreme as king of the turf, and |
the pennant waves above his stall at the |
state fair grounds.
The match race for n purse of 5000 |
between Robert J. and Joe Patchen was |
expected to bring forth some phenom-
email speed, but not one Of the 10000 peo-
pie gathered at the track was prepared
for the terrible smashing of records that
began with the word "go," thundered
from the stand by Starter Walker at $3.50
o'clock
The heats of the previous races were
passed over in haste, and the crowd had
become somewhat impatient when starter
Walker announced that the match race
would be the next feature of the program.
A mighty cheer went up as Gears and
Curry drove quietly down in front Of the
amphitheatre and logged to the turn The
crowd became breathless as they returned
together and pulled out for a little warm
ing up and down the stretch.
Five minutes later they halted a mo-
ment before the stand, the last touches
were administered to both horses, every
strap and buckle was closely inspected
and the two swept down the track for the
word Scarcely had the two horses turned
J for the start when the brown and black
gave great leaps forward and shot down
| to the stand at terrific pace. Both
drivers held back, and Patchen was rem
dered unsteady by the lines Walker saw
| the situation and called them back.
The second start was a success. Around
| the turn the two rivals shot, and at the
| quarter 31Z was announced. Not an inch
! of divergence rs to their relative positions
| could be seen.
At the half 1927" was called out, and
the crowd cheered Still the two horses
remained together, Curry hanging stub
bornly at G Gaers' wheel. Geers spoke to
the little brown, and there was an imme-
diate response. He forged ahead a nose
as the two swept into the turn, and there
was slight check noticeable as the last
curve was being cut down Both drivers
gathered the reins for the stretch, and
| 1.34 at the three-quarters' was yelled
from the stand, Then began the mad
| race home. Curry spoke to the handsome
black, and Patchen responded by strain
ing every muscle. The great horse came
up to even terms, and with distended
neck and flaming nostrils thundered
along at the little browns side. By a
| supreme effort Robert j. held the lead,
but won only by nose. 1t was a grand
finish to the grand race, and the crowd
/ A Loft or
when ''2. O394" was hung up there was a
great wave of extravagant delight.
Forty-fve minutes later the track was
| again cleared, and the two horses came
out for the second heat. Again the two
horses faced each other for the word, and
again the word was given. Robert j. went
right to the front, moving like a piece OF
mechanism. At the quarter he led the
fellow by two lengths Joe Patchen closed
up the gap going down the back stretch
and was hanging to the little bays wheel
at the half which was reached in L0l%
} Patchen moved out a little more and was
well alongside of Robert at the three
: quarters, which was reached in 1907.
] Curry was urging the big fellow and
Geers, with faith in little Robert let hin
out, and he moved away from the black
I at the distance stand, and with a mighty
, burst of speed, passed under the wire two
open lengths in front Of his determined
I competitor in 2:O211. Patchen was marked
!, at 2.u2s4.
the crowd could not contain its pen
/, up enthusiasm longer than to see the nos,
of King Robert pushed under the wire
, One long cheer burst forth and continued
until Starter Walker announced the time
Secretary Graves proposed three cheer
for Mr.. Hamlin the owner of Robert j.
which were given with will. Drive
Geers was also similarly complimented
I as were Curry, the driver, and Taylor, tn
owner of Patchen. Worlds records ha,
y been shattered, the fastest heat ever gon
in harness had been witnessed, and til
l, crowd went wild.
e. 1t was close to $3.50 o'clock when tn
y third heat was called. 1t was grea
y start, but Patchen was moving at a ga
that sent Robert into the air This wa
- going to the quarter and the break was
bad one. Geers brought him to his te,
o very quickly, however. Patchen passe
the quarter in 3024 secs, three ope
lengths ahead but Robert slowly crer
up on his big antagonist, and by the tim
the three-Quarters was reached had +,
covered two lengths of his lost grounC
At the distance stand he had overhaule
and was on even terms with Joe and
finished the third heat in 2,049{, a ha
Z length to the good. Patchen was marke
3 at 2.O5 The average OF the three heat
> was 2.O3 20,
q Domino Defeats clifford.
NEW YORK, Sept THE racing for tn
year at the Sheepshead Bay track ende
In .sI.. fr.vr .