Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1895-08-28
Joe Patchen Clearly the World S
Fastest Horse in Harness.
He TOOK ALL THREE HEATS
John u. Gentry Gameiy Struggled Against
superior speed. but Was Beaten
With Ease.

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won the great match race against
John II. Gentry In straight heats. The
race took place ON the famous Wash
ington track. but as a wind that
amounted almost 10 a gale blew all
afternoon sensational time perform
ance was out of the question. The
three heats were covered in 2:05A
2:o7A. 2;07A.
Nevertheless the performance Is re-
garded as one OF the most important
that has taken place on the tretting or
pacing turf. Patchen's victory was de-
cisive and seems to put his claim TO
first place among harness racers be-
yond dispute. Twelve thousand people
saw the race and the fact that betting
was prohibited did not deter the crowd
from showing a degree OF enthusiasm
that Is seldom excelled at a horse
race. Gentry was undoubtedly a slight
favorite In the publie's we'll wishes
but the Patchen horse was cheered Just
the same. In what little betting there
was outside of the track Gentry also
ruled a favorite at about 10 to Q.
At the end OF the second heat old-time
horsemen pronounced II the greatest
race in history. In these two miles
Gentry was a close contestant and SO,
considering what was at stake, the
contest was regarded as unprecedent-
ed. But the, third heat went TO the big
black 50 easily that the veterans were
disposed to qualify their opinion as to
the prominence OF the race.
The start was delayed In hope that
the wind might die down. Conditions
were against time performance, but
at s:15 p. m. the two giants OF speed
We're called upon the track, although
there had been no decrease in the arid
gale. Curry and McHenry. the drivers.
stood I'm the center OF the track and
tossed coin for the advantage OF
position. Curry won and got the pole
While appearances do not count for a
great deal in the case OF horses, Pat
chen's looks were so decidedly better
that II caused misgivings In the minds
OF Gentry's supporters. Patchen ap-
peared fun OF life and spirit Gentry
looked tired, and when they scored for
the first time Patchen clearly showed
more speed. Gentry broke on the sec
ond attempt and acted ugly.
FIRST HEAT.
They We're sent away on the first
score together. Patchen moved slightly
away and for over a quarter of a mile
led by nearly a length. the first quar-
ter being :32. on the second quarter
they had the wind at their backs and
raced the distance In .30ik. Nearing
the half pole Gentry began TO crawl up
and his friends tore sections out OF the
grand stand when he went past Pat
chen at the far turn as II IL were no
trouble at all. The third quarter was
covered In 80 seconds fiat, the fastest
Of the race. on turning Into the
stretch Gentry still led by a length or
more and his supporters were bouy-
ant, but on the way 10 the wire the
crowd was surprised 20 see Patchen,
without being touched by the whip,
come up on the outside and by his own
beat Gentry out by a good
length. Neither horse was touched by
the whip In this heat and II looked TO
be fair test OF their speed.
SECOND HEAT.
In the next heat McIienry let Patchen
go out and set the pace all the way
around to the stretch. Then ensued a
long and furious drive. McHenry using
the whip savageiy on Gentry. who over
came all but about three feet of the
two lengths difference that had sep
arated them at the head OF the stretch,
but Patchen had both speed and endur-
ance and won. Time by quarters: 33x,
=. 3ilz. 80. Never did a horse show
greater gameness than Gentry display
I'd in the last quarter. For a quarter
of mile he stood the lash, straining
every nerve and being apparently In
distress all the way. yet never once did
he show the slightest inclination to
break
THIRD HEAT EASY.
The third heat was easy all the way
Tor Patchen. who led and won by two
engths. Time for quarters: sfA, 32K.
M. 3iA. The only explanation offered
after the race by Driver McHenry and
Owner Scott was that their horse was
lot In condition.
I'VE made a mistake they said, .'ln
lot sending him to Cleveland after the
Freeport race. The other horse was
'n edge, ours was not"
Colonel Taylor. the owner OF Patchen.
'aid: II knew that my horse could
beat him any part OF IL. from 100 yards
% mile. Had the race today been on
he Terre Haute track with no wind
lie first heat would have been In less
han two minutes"
Both hofses VIII go to Fleetwood Park
% race next week. Only one race in ad-
iition to the special was completed.
SUMMARY.
2.2b trot, breeders stake. 3-year-olds.
purse s20o0-Abnet won. Pat L. second,
Marie ID. third: best time. 2:14h.
Special pacing race. purse Ss000-Joe
won In straight heats; time,
':osA. 2:o7k. 2:o7k. John II. Gentry Sec
md.
2:i2 pacing race. purse $1,000. (unfin-
q. won two heats, sIum-
Der won one heat. Ella T. third, Brown
best time, 2:i4t.
2:20 trot. purse $4,000. (unfinished)--
Annie won two heats. Bryson took one
ieat. Miss McGregor third, Margaret
'ourth: best time. AHA.
Fund. Are Exhausted