The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-30
JOE PATCHEN DEFEATED
Gentry and Mascot Were Also
in the Great Race at
Fleetwood.
THE BLACK WHIRLwIND BROKE
Twelve Thousand Persons Wit
messed the RecroWnipg of
King OF PAGERS.

NEW YORK, N. Y, Aug. 29.-Twelve
thousand persons saw Robert J regain at
Fleetwood Park to-day the laurels that he
lost at Cleveland one month ago, when Joe
Patchen caught him out of form and beat
him in one of the most sensational har-
ness races on record. The tickle public
had deserted Robert after his two defeats
at Cleveland and Buffalo, for when he met
the big black Kansas PAGER (Joe Patchen)
again to-day, along with John r. Gentry
and Mascot, the little record-holder from
Buffalo was second choice in the betting,
the talent almost to man backing the
stallion at TO and the other two starters
were held al a longer price.
When the horses were called for the race
at 2:15 every available point on the grand
stand and clubhouse from which the race
could be seen was occupied. Joe Patchen
looked as fit as fiddle to all outward ap-
pearances. Robert j, too, was more like
his old self than he has been since Joe
Patchen beat him at Cleveland, and at the
tempting odds of 7 to 5 he had many sup
porters in the betting.
The opening heat was a good deal of
huke, like the opening heat yesterday in
laid up from the start, McHenry's evident
intention being to let Joe Patchen and
Robert fight it out, while he gave his
horse an easy mile. Geers sent Robert
into the lead in the first furlong, followed
by Joe Patchen. At the half, in :02H,
Robert had lead of two open lengths and
was going at ease. Curry called on Joe
Patchen as they turned for the point of
rocks in the third quarter of a mile, and
the stallion commenced TO cut down Rob-
ert's lead.
Just as the spectators had climbed upon
their seats in expectation of a rafting
finish, Joe Patchen made break, fol-
lowed instantly by Robert J, near the
three-quarter pole. Mascot, who was third
and within striking distance, shot to the
front, opening gap OF five lengths. Rob-
ert settled down and started after him.
Andrews tried hard to keep Mascot in
front to the wire, but Robert came on with
a brilliant: rush in the homestretch and
nailed the ex-champion fifty yards from
the wire, beating him easily in 2:06K. Joe
Patchen's standstiIi break left him so far
Z in the rear that Gentry beat him out for
third place.
tie. Curry let Joe Patchen rush off his
stride in the first furlong of the second
heat, and he was laid up after recovering
from his break. McHenry was out for it
in earnest this time, and Gentry chased
the leader, Robert J, down the half in
l :0034, showing length in the rear as
they passed that point. The terrific pace
slackened after they struck the hill in the
next quarter, Gentry not being able to find
the limit of Roberts speed and trailing
two lengths back. In this order they came
into the homestretch, McHenry making a
hurricane drive with the North Carolina
horse, but to no purpose, as Robert fin
ished an open length in front of the
whipped-out Gentry horse. Mascot was
third and Joe Patchen poor fourth.
Cheers greeted the announcement of the
time. 2:041I, which beat the best mile ever
before made IN harness on the Fleetwood
course.
It was now odds on Robert, the Hamlin
gelding having shown that he could easily
beat Gentry. Joe Patchen's bad breaks hurt
his chances to win.
In the third heat the quartet went away
closely punched at a record-smashing clip
liz Cil41O W IAl6 v Oe4 ISA was .OOI2 anu 10
the half an even l. Robert J at the pole
was half length in front, with Gentry
Tapped and Joe Patchen's nose at Gentry's
flank, Mascot losing half a length back
under a pull. Turning for the point of
rocks Patchen was seen to be gaining
steadily, but slowly, when all of a sudden
the black horse made a tangled break and
fell away behind. Gentry, too, faltered,
for Patchen had run into his sulky, tearing
off the rim of the wheel. From there to
the wire it was goose chase after Robert
J, whom Geers had only to steady and let
sail. Gentry was four lengths behind at
the finish, in 2:O4sl, Mascot as far back of
him and Joe Patchen just inside of the
fag.