The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-07-05
A Splendid Opening of the July
Meet Yesterday.
A HORSE FROM ALABAMA TOOK
THE BEST RACE.

The opening races at Rigby park yes
terday, of the great four-day race meet,
were great success. The weather was
perfect, neither too hot nor too cold.
The great and beautiful grand stand was
not as full as it ought to be, though this
was doubtless due to the fact that an
admission is charged, which many
think is too much. The attendance was
variously estimated at between 5000 and
1900. The private boxes in front Of the
grand stand were all we'll filled.
In the judges stand were Isaiah Pom
pilly, starter, and the following judges
William Whittier of Old Orchard, George
B. Blanchard of Boston, and John H.
Hamilton Of Manchester, N. H.
Dr. Fred A. Huntington was clerk of
the course, and John S. Heald superin-
tendent of the track. Elmer Ingalls, was
marshal.
There were only four starters in the
2.1S trotting race, viz, Ben H., Frank
Hill, Vega and Protein.
In the first heat Vega took the pole
from Ben II. Protein broke at the start.
Vega kept the lead all the way round,
closely followed by Ben H. On the
home stretch Vega broke twice and Ben
b. passed him and won the heat in 2. 174,
with Vega I'd, Frank Hill Sd and Pro-
tein 4th
In the second heat Vega took the lead
with Protein second. At the half Pro-
tein passed Vega, but could not keep his
feet at the crisis. Down the home
stretch Vega, Ben A. and Protein were
close together, but Ben H. won, with
Vega I'd, Protein Sd and Frank Hill dis
tanced. Time. 2.171.
The three horses of the third heat
Drank Hill being out, of course.) were a
long time scoring. Ben II. had the pole,
Vega and Protein broke on the first
quarter. Protein broke on the third
quarter and \, INT back with Vega, and
Ben Fl. won the heat and race, almost in
a walk. Protein was I'd and Vega Sd.
Time, 2.164.
Following is the summary:
2.18 TRoTTING-PURsE $780, DIVIDED.
Ben H., b. g. by McCurdy's Hambletonian; q
MID. Mooney, Nashallle Tenn. III 1
Vega. blk. h. by Woodbrino Riverside
Stock Farm. New Market Judction N
H.; driver. Tom Marsh. ................2 2 3
Potein, b, M, by Glenworld; j. H. Nay,
FranE neaaEiIe' Hi haSs y f. by Edaebii: erry
O'Neil Lexington, Mass s...............2 2 dis
Time-2.1714. 2.171@, 2.161a.
The 2.17 Glass,
All the PAGERS that entered in the 2.17
class started in the race. They were
Rockaway. Wildbriar, Socks, Jack and
jennie ]. They started in the above
order, Rockaway having the pole, which
he kept with the lead all the way round,
though hard pressed all the time by
Socks and Jennie j. 1t was very close
race, the five horses finishing almost in a
bunch, but in the following order: Rock
away first, Socks second, Jack third,
Jennie J. fourth and Wildbriar fifth.
Jennie j., the only Maine horse, made a
good fight for the lead, but was not game
on the home stretch. The time was 2. III.
In the second heat Rockaway had the
pole and was passed by Socks on the first
quarter, with Jennie j. close third. On
the last quarter Rockaway crept up on
Socks and it was neck and neck to the
wire, a most sensational finish. Some
thought Socks won, some Rockaway.
The judges gave the heat to Rockaway
in .2.174; Socks was second, Wildbrier
third, Jack fourth, Jennie ]. fifth. All
| in bunch.
In the third heat Rockaway kept the
pole and all five horses were in a bunch
to the third quarter.
In the last quarter Socks white nose
forged ahead of the flying Rockaway and
down the home stretch the pace was too
hot, Rockaway lost his feet and Socks
won the most exciting heat thus far.
Jack was second, Wildbrier third, Rock
away fourth, Jennie J. fifth. Time 2 I9a.
Jennie J. withdrew in the fourth heat,
Socks had the pole, Rookaway broke on
the first quarter, Jack forged ahead OF
Socks on the second, but made stand
still break on the third, Socks keeping a
steady pace all the time. Wildbrier and
Jack were close upon Socks down the
home stretch, but the game little horse
won by half length. Jack
was second, Wildbrier third, Rock
away fourth. Time 2.1S3.
In the fifth heat Socks kept the pole
all the way round but was closely pressed
by Jack on the home stretch and won
only by head. Jack was second, Wild
brier third and Rockaway fourth. Socks
won the race and first money, $3.50;
Rockaway second, $125; Jack third, SIS,
and Wildbrier fourth, $50.
The pacing race excited the greatest
interest and enthusiasm. The leading
four horses were very closely matched
| and it'was anybody's race from start to
flush. Socks, the Southern horse, won
from Rockaway because of the latter S
breaking.
Following is the summary:
2.17, PAcING-PURsE $500, DIVIDED.
Socks. ch h, by Rockdale, G.. M.
| Garth. Courtland. Ala. ..--.....2 Q i