Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-09-13
THE FASTEST PAGER.
RoBERrJ.eREAKs sALLREcoRDs
He PAGES Three Heats on the Indianapolis
Track In ::o3A, 2:O2h and @:O4a Re
spectiveIy.--He was Driven by Geers.

Indianapolis, Sept. 6-To-night the
flag of honor floats over the track or
the indianapolis Driving club, and the
sun of Terre Haute and Fort Wayne
has been eclipsed. Sir Robert j., the
great son of Hartford, reigns supreme
us king of the turf, and the pennant
waves above his stall at the state fair
grounds. The match race for purse
of 5000 between Robert J. and Joe
Patchen was expected to bring forth
some phenomenal speed, but not one
the 10000 people were prepared FOR
the terrible slashing Of records that
was done.
The weather was perfect and the
track in fine condition. During the
races preceding the great contest the
crowd waited impatiently and warmly
greeted the rivals when they appeared;
Robert J. was driven by Geers and
Patchen by Curry. After warming
up the horses got Off on even terms at
a fast pace.
Around the turn the rivals shot and
at the quarter O:3OA was announced.
Not an inch of divergence as to the rel
ative position could be seen. 1t was
as though the two great horses were
being impelled by some unseen force
as the movement of the legs on the
back stretch could not be seen. "1:O2
IL at the half" was called out, and
the crowd cheered. Still the two
horses remained together. Curry hang
Ing stubbornly at Geers' wheel. Ihe
latter turned his head slightly and
seemed to be studying the situation.
He saw the situation at a glance. he
was in the race of his life with an op-
ponent that was worthy of his steel
He spoke to the little brown and there
was an immediate response. he
forged ahead nose or two as the two
swept into the turn and there was a
slight check noticeable as the last
curve was being cut down.
Both drivers gathered their reins TOT
the stretch and :34 at the three-quar-
tiers" was yelled from the stand.
Then began the mad race home.
Curry spoke to the handsome black
and Patchen responded by straining
every muscle. The great horse seemed
to recognize that this was the moment
when he could revenge himself Tor
former defeats. He came up TO even
terms and with distcnded neck ana
flaming nostrils thundered along at the
little browns side. 1t was surprise
to the little wonder himself, who was
unaccustomed to having horse Mt ms
side on that part of the track. was
he actually challenged and were ms
laurels In danger? He shook his head
angrily and attempted to draw away,
but Geers held him with a steady
hand. It was not yet the moment Tor
the last great effort. He allowed the
black to retain his place and the two
rushed down the track at mad pace.
Some one in the crowd yelled IN
triumph as he saw the worlds record
in danger, and Starter Walker calieu
out for silence until after the horses
had passed the wire. Up they came like
n whirlwind and left the crowd In I'M
certainty as to the victor. Geers spoke
to Robert J. and Curry made a low ex-
clamation of encouragement to inc
black. Both understood and responded
The little brown seemed to be sur
prised at the audacty of his big rival
and as he dashed under the wire stuck
out his neck and with Il mighty stride
gained a nose. 1t was grand finish
TO q grand race and the crowd yelled
itself hoarse. A moment later when
2:O3N was hung up, great wave or
extravagant delight dashed across tho
amphitheater and the ar trembled as
the great roar of triumph went up.
Terre Haute, the rival, had been sur
passed and Fort Wayne was excelled.
The latter had held the banner for a
brief week but must now succumb.
But the second heat. 1t was conf
IDENTIFY said the great heat was passed
and some left for home. 1t was the
general impression that both horses
had done their best, and slow time was
looked for. Regret was freely ex-
pressed that the heat had not been a
quarter second faster.
Arn r,frr1fnG later the Track
was again cleared and the two horses
came out 1t was now realized thar
the track was faster, both horses in the
very pink Of condition.
Again the two horses faced each
other for the word and again the word
was given. Like twin rockets they
shot from under the wire and started
the trip around the turn that was to
bring them glory and fame. Robert j..
went right to the front, moving like a
piece of mechanism. At the quarter
he led the big fellow by two lengths.
Joe Patchen closed up the gap going
down the back stretch and was hang
ing to the little bays wheel at the half,
which was reached in 1:O2h. Patchen
moved out little more and was well
alongside of Robert ]. at the three
quarters, This was reached at 1:3OE.
and It was realized that without i
break even the fastest mark Of the pre-
yous heat was to be placed into In
Significance. On came the gladiators
smoothly and moving to perfection.
Curry was urging the big fellow and
Geers, with faith in little Robert, let
him out and he moved away from the
black Mt the distance stand with a
mighty burst of speed and passed un-
der the wire two open lengths In front
of his determined competitor In 2U2ka.
Patchen was marked 2:02A.
~The crowd could not contain Its pent-
up enthusiasm longer than to see the
nose of King Robert pushed under the
wire. One long cheer burst forth anu
continued until Starter Walker an
nounced the time and the time had
been posted. Again cheer after cheer
was given for the great side-wheeler
Secretary Graves proposed three
cheers for Mr.. Hamln. which were
given with will. and the famous old
turfman responded gracefully to the
compliment. Geers was similarly comN
plimented, as were Curry, the driver
and Taylor, the owner OF Patchen.
The two great steeds were not forgot
ten in the distribution Of these favors
on the part of the crowds. Worlds
records had been shattered. the fast
est time ever gone in harness had been
witnessed and the crowd went Wild.
II, tn hn IN uf