Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-09-07

Tcrre Hautc and Fort Wayne has been cclipsed Robert J, tho great son of Hart ford, reigns supreme as king of tho turf, and the ponnant waves above his stall at the State fair grounds.
 The match race for a purse of S5, GOO be- tween Robert and Joe Patchen was ex- pected to bring forth some phenomenal speed, Dut not ono of the 10, 900 people gathered at the track was prepared for the terrible smashing of records that be- | gan with the word go" thundercd from the stand by Starter Walker. The day was all that could have been | desired, and the track was perfect. All the necessary elements were present which | enter into tho production of great speed. The light rain of the previous 30 hours had been absorbed by the yielding earth. | and forces of men under the direction of | the track superintendent had been at work constantly since.
 Nothing had been omitted, and when the final moment came there was not 0 member of the association present but who was conSdeut that, with the condi- | tion of the track, no blame could be at- tached to the association if new records | were not made.
 Just Before the Start. The heats of the previous races were passed over in haste, and the crowd had
 
 Walker advanced to the front of the stand, and facing the enormous audience an | nounced that the match race would be the next feature of the programme Look { ing out over the track, he said to Secre- | tary Graves of the club: Look out fol records here Both of these horses are in the best possible condition, and Jack Cur ry has promised to give the little horse the | race of his life.''
 nyar at hn of ha | confusion the final touches were put | upon the preparation of the horses for tho | great contest for blood. Geers had heard | of the open boast of Curry and had TO- piled in his peculiar, quiet way: ''Is that sog Well, old boy, we'll have to go some, won't we?' And he patted the little won der on the neck in an affectionate manner. At the same moment Starter Walker | made the announcement to the crowd the masses of humanity at the gates were parted, and from the breach appeared upon the track simultaneously the two horses. | A mighty cheer went up as Geers and Cur | ry drove down in front of tho amphithea- ter and logged to the turn. The crowd became brcathless as they returned to- gethcr and pulled out for n little warm ing up and down the stretch. Five minutes later they halted a mo | ment before the stand, the last touches were administered to both horses, every strap and buckle was closely inspected, and the two swept down the track for the word. The drivers settled themselves | firmly in their seats, and neither looked at the other. They were in no humor for | testing. There was a determined and set expression upon the face of each. Curry was determined to givc the brown horse the greatest and hottcs: race of his life, while Gecrs was equally confident that he | could pull out Just enough to keep ahead. He knew the humor of his horse and his | heart never trembled.
 | Scarcely had the two horses turned for ] the start than the brown and black gave great leaps forward and shot down to the stand at a terrific pace. Both drivers held | back, and Patchcn was rendered unsteady | by the lines. Walker saw tho situation | and called them back.
 The Jockeys Get the Word.
 The second start was n success. Both horses were at their stride and less than Q neck apart. Down the track they camo at a terrible pace, with perfect motion l and even stride.
 "Go." yelled Walker, leaning far over the railing of the stand and tho crowd | arose as one man.
 l Around the turf the two rivals shot and at the quarter :3II. was announccd Not an inch of divergence to the relative position could be seen. It was as though l the two great horses wero being impelled by some unseen force, as the movements of their legs on the back stretch could not bo seen.
 and the crowd chcercd.
 Still the two horses remained together Curry hanging stubhornly at Geer' $ l wheel The latter turned his head slight ly and seemed to be studying chances. He saw the situation at n glance He was in the race of his life with an opponent that was worthy of his steel. He spoke to the little brown. and there was an immediate response. He forged ahead n nose 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 the reins for the stretch, and 1:3l at the three quarters 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 for former defeats He came up to even terms, and with distcndcd neck and flaming nostrils thundered along at the little brown S side.
 It was surprise to the little wonder himself, who was unaccustomed to hay Ing a horse at his side on that part of the trip. Was he actually challenged, and were his laurels in danger? He shook his head angrily and attempted to draw away, but Geers held him with steady hand.
 It was not yet the moment for the last great effort. He allowed tho black to re. tain his place, and the two thundered down tho track together at a mad pace. Some one in the crowd yelled in 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 uncertainty as to the victory, held its breath in suspense. Geers spoke to Robert J, and Curry made low exclamation of encouragement to the black. Both understood and respond ed. Tho little brown seemed to be sur prised at the audacity of his big rival, and as he dashed under the wire stuck out his neck, and with a mighty stride gained O nose.
 It was a grand finish to the great race. and the crowd yelled itself hoarse. A moment later, when 2:O3A was hung up a | great wnva of extravagant delight dashc
 across the amphithcater, and the air trom bied as the great roar of triumph wen
 up. Terre Hautc, the rival, had bee
 surpassed. and Fort Wayne was excelled
 The latter had held the banner for brie
 week, but now must succumb.
 The Second Heat.
 But the second heat! It was confident
 ly said that the great heat had passed, an
 some left for home. It was the genera ! impression that both horses had done thei
 best, and slow time was looked for. Re
 gret was freely expressed that the hea
 had not been a quarter faster.
 Forty five minutes later the track wa
 again cleared, and tho horses came out
 It was now realized that the track wa
 fast and both horses in the pink of condi
 ton. Not only this, but Curry was prov l inu that hia hnnst rns not an idln nr,r