The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-23
IN STRAIGHT HEATS
JOE PATCHEN'S VICTORY OVER
GENTRY YESTERDAY WAS
DECISIVE.
THE KANSAS HORSE is NOW KING

Though the North CarOlinian Was Not
in Condition He Showed Great
Gameness TO the Last-The Bad Time
Due to the Track and the Wind
Twelve Thousand People Saw the
Race, and the Betting Was Brisk
Patchen Had Advantage of Position.
CHICAGO, H., Aug. 22-Joe Patchen
to day won the match race against John
r. Gentry in straight heats. The race
took place on the famous Washington
Park track, but as wind that amounted
almost to gale blew all the afternoon,
a sensational time performance was out
of the question. The three heats were
covered in 2:05 IA; 207 4 and 2:07 4.
Nevert heless, the contest is regarded
as one of the most important that has
taken place on the trotting or pacing turf.
Patchen's victory was decisive and seems
to put his claim to first place among
harness racers beyond dispute. Twelve
thousand people saw the race and the
fact that betting was prohibited did not
deter the crowd from showing degree
of enthusiasm that is seldom seen at
horse race.
At 3:15 the giants of speed were called
upon the track although there had been
no decrease in the arid gale. Curry and
McHenry, the drivers, stood in the CEN
ter of the track aud tossed coin for
advantage OF position. Curry won and
thus got the pole.
They were sent away on the fifth score
together. Patchen moved slightly away
and for over quarter Of a mile led by
nearly a length, the first quarter being
made in :32. On the second quarter
they bad the wind at their backs and
raced the distance in 80 12. Nearing
this pole, Gentry began to crawl up and
his friends tore sections out Of the grand
stand when he went past Patchen at the
far turn as if it was nc trouble at all.
The third quarter was covered in 30
fiat-the fastest of the race Turn
ing into the stretch, Gentry still led by
a length or more and his supporters were
buoyant, but on the way to the wire the
crowd was surprised to see Patchen,
without being touched by the whip, come
ND on the outside and on his own game
ness, beat Gentry out by a good length.
Neither horse was touched by the whip
in this heat and it looked to be fair
test OF their speed.
In the next heat, McHenry len Patchen
go out and set the pace all the way
around to the stretch. Then ensued
long and furious drive, McHenry using
the whip savagely on Gentry, who over
came all but about three feet of the two
lengths difference that had separated
them at the head of the stretch; but
Patchen had both speed and endurance
and won. Time for quarters: :33 4,
:32, 81 f2, 80 12.
Never did horse show greater game
ness than John R Gentry displayed in
this heat 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.
The third heat was easy all the way
for Patchen, who led and won by two
lengths. Time for quarters: 81 ga
32 IA, 81 1-2, 81 "a.
The only explanation offered after the
race by driver McHenry and owner Scott
was that their horse was not in condi
ton.
Col. Taylor, owner Of the victor, said:
"Had the race to-day been on the Terre
Haute track, with no wind, the first heat
would have been in less than two min
utes. "