Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-08-22
DIED AT THE WINNING POST.

Asteroids Famous and Final Race In Gin
cinnati Many Years Ago.
There was a timo when racing was
not conducted on the continuous
show" plan day after day, with oc-
casional intermissions for meals and
drinks. 1t was not so much of bust
ness as it is now. Tho races were
great social functions, and all the
beaux and bellies were there. The
horses were owned by we'll to do
mon, who raced for tho glory. For
tunes wose not given in single
stakes, and there was something
more tSan nero money to be gained
by owning winning horse.
A party of old Cinoinnatians were
talking of the difference between
racing in the past and the present,
and their "reminiscences Of the great
races at the old Buckeye track were
interesting. The track was out on
Spring Grove avenue, just q short
distance beyond where Chester park
now stands. Hero were fought some
of the greatest turf battles of the
days Immediately succeeding the
war.
The original Buckeye track had
been down ut Riverside, but as the
oity grew to the north new site
was selected and n track and grand
stand built. 1t was here some 80
that tln -
which Asteroid defeated Buckeye
Boy took place. There were no book
makers or pool sellers in those days
Owners and bettors went about the
track, crying what odds they would
lay on horse, and the money was
put up in the hands of some we'll
known person rs n stakeholder.
Tom Stephens, afterward mayor of
Cincinnati. and Jim Doherty, now
OF the Main Street railway, had the
Millcreek House on Spring Grove
avenue in those days This was the
great resort of the horsemen. Here
they would meet before the races
and make their bets, leaving the
money with Stephens. Vast sums
were bet in this way. So great was
the demand upon Stephens to hold
wagers that he was obliged to have
three safes placed in his office dur
ing the racing season in which tc
place the money. Ed Betty, the vet
eran newspaper man of this city,
was in those days the sporting editor
of The Commercial.
The day of Asteroids greatest
victory Betty, who had the right
tip, had most of the newspaper boys
down on him. OF the field Buckeye
Boy was a hot favorite, and his own.
or and friends laid extravaganza odds
against the other horses, so conf.
dent were they of winning In some
way Washington Grant, a member
OF the Covington family of that
name, had got information that AS,
teroid was right on edge, and that
his owner thought he could win.
John Robinson, the circus man, and
several more friends had the tip,
and they pooled their money. get
ting odds of about 30 to from the
Buckeye Boy people, who thought
their horse invincible. The price on
Asteroid was ruined, however, be-
fore the horses went to the post by
one excited individual going about
seeking to bet 500 against 81, 600 on
Asteroid, his calls making the other
faction reduce the odds. Asteroid
Won the race, but dropped dead after
the finish. Grant, Robinson and
their party won thousands on the
race. The track was crowded to its
limit that day, not only with the
elite of Cincinnati society, but with
thousands from outside points. Sc
great was the interest that it took
five steamboats, to bring from Louis
vile the crowd of Kentuokians who
came to SEQ it.-Cincinnati Times
Star.