The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-07

ert j. shove his head first under the wire.
and Joe Patchen lost a mark that wouiu
have figuratively piled a bag of gold on
his back, for a mark in a race OF 2TS9s
would have increased his value, should his
owner retire him TO his breeding farm
That was the time of the race-2:OSs4-the
worlds record for pacing, which Robert
]. earned at Fort Wayne last week against
time. 1t was the fastest heat ever made
in a harness race Ip to that time. and the
Driving Club people were jlbilant, not en-
ticipating the good thing that was In store
In the next heat.
The spectators made the officials feel
quite happy by showing their appreciation
of the record. and both Geers and Curry
were cheered. To people in either end of
the grand stand IL seemed that Joe Patchen
had lost the race by not more than an eye
lash. There was hardly a quarter of
second between the two, but 1t was an
nounced that the time OF Joe Patchen was
204
THE GREAT HEAT.
BY winning the first heat Robert J. won
the pole position for the second heat. He
was in good condition. the first heat having
warmed him up and put him in fine fettle.
Joe Patchen was not so steady in the first
scoring. and. breaking under the wire, was
sent back with his rival for another at
tempt, which resulted in a go, with Joe
Patchen a scant length back. Hamlin's
pride started to redeem himself for the
break in the first heat and, carefully
avoiding the temptation TO take tangent.
he carefully skirted the inner rail at the
first turn, with Joe Patchen two lengths
off, Curry saw that he had to race his
entry all the way to keep in reasonable
,1or
closed up a length before the quarter was
reached this quarter distance obtaining
record of one second better than the first
quarter In the preceding heat. 1t was
not until the half was reached that Joe
Patchen began to show the fine squirt that
stirred up enthusiasm among the crowds
So fast did he go that Geers had to ex-
ert Robert J. around the last turn. and
this burst Of speed In Taylor's stallion
forced Robert j. to pace the quarter
which includes the curve, In the remark
ably fast time OF twenty-nine seconds.
The bay showed no signs of distress in
wheeling around the turn at such a speed,
but the challenging of Joe Patchen was
trying on that animal, and when the last
quarter post was reached Geers had lead
of almost length, the pacing having been
close up between the two after leaving the
half-mile post
Robert J. showed the beauty of his train
ing in the stretch pulling easily away from
Joe Patchen who by strong effort kept
sufficiently close TO the great ge!dng To
share portion of the glory that befell
him when the time of the race ascer
tanned. Geers's whip was idle in his hand,
and the gelding was having its own way.
seeming to know by instinct that he was
-.
of the heat From the point where the
man who waves the distance flag stands to
the wire tnat crosses the track Robert J.
did not vary movement of his feet, nor
did ne slaclen his speed. The patter Of his
hoofs was a monotonous rytnm. His mouth
was closed, his head straight out some
well-bred pointer, and very steady. Tired?
Why, ne might have gone another mile
without stopping, and In as fast time, as
far as his appearance indicated. Joe PATCH
en- did not show quite the fine form at the
finish.
THE TIME 2:O2ik
Up in the press stan1 several men held
stop-watches. and when Robert J. crossed
the wire they looked at each other doubt
fully, and one said ne supposed his watch
was a lee-e-tle too fast He had caught
2.02lA. Another looked dubiously. He too
had caught the low mark. but was afraid
to announce 1t lest his friends doubt the
veracity of the ticker. So they concluded
to await the Official announcement. Tom
Taggart was seen to be acting in very
singular manner in the judges stand, and
there was q suspicion that something had
happened TO hinl-something to destroy his
usual coniposure Presently he grinned and
yelled, and simultaneously was the, hand
of starter Walker raised, commanding
peace.
Robert j. wins the heat. Joe Patchen
second" sounded Mr.. Stentorian Voice, and
then he faltered, as a good man will do
who is about to break news of Joy that may
KILL
Ladies and gentle and he faltered
again. 1t was too good to tell.
The people were all on their feet, expect
ing It, Necks were craned to catch the
news. This is the fastest heat ever paced
in the world" he continued. The crowd
| heard that before.
'-rhe worlds record is broken" he went
| on, braclng himself against a railing. 1.-The
| time is 202h. and
That was all he was permitted to say.
| Such a roar has never before been heard
| in any Indiana grand stand. Away up al
| Noblesvile people might have heard II
| without stopping their ears. Hats went VI
| into the air, canes sounded with heavy
| thwacks, and for five minutes the din was
| sufficient to make deaf man have hope
| The band essayed a selection that might
| have been Sweet Marie" or one of Sousa's
marches as far the man few feet away
| was concerned. Twenty feet away the mu
| sic sounded like little hand organ on the
| street when one is up in the tenth story oi
| building. Then the directors of the clut
| cut up antics like schoolboys, and the,
| could not be blamed very much. Men dowr
| in the betting ring hugged each other like
| long-lost relatives.
| THE FINAL HEAT.
The crowd resigned itself to the fina
| heat Two such fast miles had beer
pace would not permit a horse to go ever
faster in a third mile on the same day
| Something under 2:05 was expected. Aftel
| false scoring the two were away, witt
Patchen occupying a better position thar
he had in the beginning of the fast heat
Ten feet after starting he was scarce {
half length in the wake of the feet Rober
j.. and in preparing for the turn he wa
on even terms with the gelding, cisalleng
| Patchen spruced up after entering th'
| long back stretch and started to set
| merry clip for the horse that had takel
| two heats from him. Robert j. showed NJ
| great concern at first, but at the beginning
OF the back stretch realized the danger o