The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-09-13
A NEW TROTTING RECORD.
ROBERT ]. LOWERS HIS oWN
WONDERFUL RECORD.
In a Match Race With Joe Patchen at
Indianapolis He PAGES Mile In Two
Minutes Two and One-Half
Seconds.

/
the sun OF Terre Haute and For
WAYNE has been eclipsed. Robert j.
the great son of Hartford, relgns gu
prers as king of the turf and tn
penant waves about his stall at tn
state tsir GROUNDS.
The match race for purse OF S5,OO
between Robert J. and Joe Patchel
| was expe cted to bring forth some phe
nomenal sreed, but not one OF the III,
| 900 people gathered at the track thl
afternoon was prepared for the ter
rible slashing of records that begsr
with the word "go," Numbered from
the stand by Starter Walker at $3.50
The day was all that could have beer
desired and the track was perfect. AL
the necessary elements were present
which enter into the production Of
great speed.
Scarcely had the two horses turned
from the start when the brown and
black gave great leaps forward and
shot down to the stand at terrific
mace. Both drivers held back and
Patchen was rendered unsteady.
Walker saw the situation and called
them back The second start was a
success. Both horses were at their
stride and less than neck apart.
Down the track they came at a terri
fic pace with perfect and even stride
"GO,n yelled Walker, leaning for
ward, aud the crowd rose as one man.
Around the turn the rivals shot and
al the quarter 81 IA was announced
Not an inch of divergence as to the
relative positions could be seen. 1t
was as though two great horses were
being lmpelled by some unseen force
as the movement of their legs on the
back stretch could be seen.
At half l.02 1-2 was called out and
crowd Cheeaed. still the two horses
remained together, Curry hanging
stubbernly at Geer's wheel. The lat
ter turned his head lightly and seemed
to be studying his chances. he saw
the situation at q glance. He was in
the race of his life with an opponent
that was worthy steel. He spoke to
the little brown and there was an in
mediate response. He forged ahead
nose as the two swept into the TIL n,
and there was slight check notice
able as the last curve was being cut
down. Both drivers gathered the
reins for the stretch and l,34 at the
was yelled from the
stand.
Then began the race home. Curry
spoke to the handsome black an
Patchen respOned by straining every
The great horse seemed to
realize that this was the moment
when he coulG revenge himself tor
former defeats. He came up to even
terms and with distended neck anG
flaming nostrils Numbered along at
the little browns side. 1t was a sur,
prise to the Little Wonder himself,
who was not accustomed to having q
horse at his side in that
part of the track. He shook
his head angrily and attempted
to draw away but Geers held
him with steady hand. 1t was mol
yet the moment for the last effort.
He allowed the black to retain his
place and the two Numbered down
the track together at . mad pace
Some one in the crowd yelled triumph
as he saw the worlds record in
danger and Starter Walker called out
for silence until after the horses had
passed the wire.
Up they came like a whirlwind and
at the flag the vast crowd in uncer-
tainty as to the victor held its breath
in suspense. Geers spoke to Robert
J and Curry made a low exclama-
ton of encouragement to the black.
Both understood aud respond.
ed. The little brown seemed to
be surprised at the audacity of
his big rival as he dashed under the
wire, stuck out his neck and with a
mighty stride gained nose. 1t was
grand finish to grand race and the
crowd yelled itself hoarse. A moment
later, when 2.03 ga was hung up, a
great wave of enthusiastic delight
dashed across the ampitheatre and the
earth trembled as the great sport of
triumph went up. Terre Haute, the
rival, had been surpassed 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 that the greatest heat had
been paced and some left for
home. Regret was freely expressed
that the heat had not been a 4
st cond faster, In 40 minutes the track
was again cleared and the two horses
CAME out. Again they faced the
starter for the word and again the
word was given. Like twin rockets
they shot from under the wire and
started on the trip around the turn
that was to bring them glory and
fame. Robert j. went right to the
front, moving like piece OF mechan-
ism. AT the quarter he led by two
lengths; Joe Patchen moved out little
more and was well alongside of Robert
ut the third quarter. This was reached
IN 1.30 1>2 aud it was realized that
break even the mark Of the
heat was to be paced iu,o
uslgnitigauce On cana the great
horses, smoothly and moving 10 yer,
lection. Curry was urging the biz
black and Gppr- had Little Robert la-
)uC aid he moved away from the
black az the distance stand with a |
mighty burst Of speed aud passed !
under the wle two lengths in front OF
his determined competitor in 2.O2 1>2 |
Patchen was marked at . OF 3-4.
The crowd did not contain its spent |
up enthusiasm longer than 10 see the !
nose OF King Robert pushed under the |
H.. L