The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-12


The amphitheater was crowded TO suf-
location. The betting ring and the space
in front Of the stand between 1t and the
track fence was a sea of people. The
bookmakers would ,ay no odds on the
race. There were many side bets that
Patchdn would take a heat. but the gen.
eral feeling was that Robert ]. had a
sure thing. Joe Patchen was given full
credit for being a star wiggler, but no
body expected him to force the little son
of Hartford TO -uch record-breaking
miles.
Every person was intent on watching
the two gladiators and they were we'll
repaid for their interest. Robert j. was
the first out on the track for his warm
ing up and he was greeted with rounds
Of applause. Geers wore his usual col
Ors, a black cap and dark blue Tight
fitting driving coat. Joe Patehen was
similarly greeted as Curry drove him
down the track in front Of the stand.
CurTy's colors were a peacock blue cap
with broad white band. He wore a
gray driving suit
on for the First Heat.
The horses were both given jog and
were then called for the score They
scored but once for the first mile. When
they returned for the word and moved
toward Starter Walker both were on a
splendid gait. Patchen had drawn the
pole and was on the inside. Robert
looked like a colt almost as they sped
down the course. Both were moving like
clockwOrk. Patchen cut the route and
led at the quarter by two lengths in
:31i4. Robert j. slowly drew up on the
back stretch and the gap grew smaller
and smaller as the half-mile post was
neared. Patchen was still in front and
passed the post i'm 1:02iA The crowd in
the stand was enthusiastic as the
watches registered the very fast clip.
Word was passed from one TO another
that the record of 204 was slipping by.
Geers was quietly driving the little
PAGER and at each step Robert was gain
ing on the big black horse. As the three
quarter pole was passed their was
single swshing sound through the stand,
il being an Indication to the many hold
ing watches that this point had been
reached.
The crowd then settled for the finish.
Patchen was coming at mighty stride,
but Robert was ready for a squirt and
he made II cleverly. Slowly he moved
alongside the big fellow and at the dis
lance stand was on even terms. Cheers
went up at this. but the enthusiasts
were hushed by cries from the stand 10
desist On came the wonders, Robert
steadily gaining and under the wire he
shot little more than half a length I'm
front Of his earnest competitor i'm 2:03A.
The Time Announced.
When the time was announced and it
was found that he had equaled his ex-
hfbition mark at Ft. Wayne, the crowd
was wild. Pandemouium reigned when
Slater Walker announced the time by
quarters and stated IT was the fastest
mile ever paced in a race in the world.
The staid Mr. Hamlin's enthusiasm had
reached a point beyond its bounds and
he was slapping the judges and others
IL u
showing his feeling. President Taggart
and Secretary Graves were equally en-
Unused as though they owned the horse.
J. g. TAYLOR, the owner OF Patchen was
very we'll satisfied himself, for the big
fellow had gone in 2:O4. his time having
also been taken.
The watches Of the time-keepers all
agreed. There were many in the stand
who had caught the time differently, but
the time of the time-keepers stood with
out question.
Forty-hve minutes passed before the
two gallant wiSBlers were again brought
out 10 face Mr. Walker for the word.
Curry bore a determined look. He want
ed the heat badly and was willing to
drive Joe Patchen to his utmost speed to
get il. A mark of 2:03& he would like
to have had, or better If possible. No
body expected that even this extreme
mark was to be smashed and in this
very heat. The crowd settled itself for
almost anything, however, and everybody
was standing and striving TO get a good
vantage point for the view of the race
even when the horses scored.
The Great Second Heat.
The two game PAGERS were well on their
gait in the second attempt to get away and
Robert J. went right to the front, moving
like a piece of mechanism. At the quar-
ter he led the big fellow by two lengths.
Joe Patchen closed up the gap going
down the back stretch and was hanging
10 the little bays wheel at the half. which
was reached in 1:0112. Patchen moved
out a little more and was well alongside
of Robert at the three-quarters. This
was reached at 1:301a, and 1t was real
lied that without a break even the fast
mark Of the previous heat was TO be
paced into insignificance. On came the
gladiators smoothly and moving to
perfection. Curry was urging the big fell
low and Geers with faith in little Robert
let him out and he moved away from the
black at the distance stand, and, with a
mighty burst OF speed, passed under the
wire two open lengths in front Of the de-
termined competitor in 2:02A. Patchen
was marked at 2:02&.
The crowd could not contain its rsntup
enthusiasm longer than to see the nose
of King Robert pushed under the wire.
one long cheer burst forth and continued
until Starter Walker announced the time,
which had already been posted, by quar-
ters. Again cheer after cheer was given
for the great sidewheeler.
Three Cheers Given.
Secretary Graves proposed three cheers
for Mr.. Hamlin, which were given with
a will. and the famous old turfman re-
sponded gracefully to the compliment.
Geers was also similarly complimented as
were Curry. the driver and Taylor, the
owner of Patchen. The two great steeds
were not forgotten in the distribution of
these favors on the part of the crowd.
Worlds records had been shattered, the
fastest heat ever gone in harness had
been witnessed and the crowd went wild.
II was close to $50 O'Clock when the
third heat was called, Joe Patchen was
ready for the last bout, which was to set
tie whether or not he was to score a
mark after such wonderful speed. Both
horses and drivers were cheered as they
took positions for the word. Patchen
was acting a little badly and two at
tempts were made to get away before
both animals We're we'll on their gait. 1t
was great start, but Patchen was NOV
ing at a gait that sent Robert into the
air This was going TO the quarter and
the break was a bad one. Geers brought
him to his feet very quickly, however,
and IL was not a second before he was
chasing the big black. Patchen passed
the quarter in :30A, three open lengths
In front, but Robert, moving with great
precision, slowly crept up on his big
antagonist and by the time the three
quarters was reached had recovered two
lengths of his lost ground. Patchen was
going at a clip that looked as though he
would carry the heat, but was seen to
Waver half way down the stretch. though