Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-08-23
THE CROWD EXCITED.
No NETTING WAS ALLOWED, pur
EVERY SPECTATOR WAS IN
TESsELY INTERESTED.
The Owner Claims That Gentry WAS
Not In Good Condition for
the Race.

Chicago Aug. 22.-Joe Patchen to-
day Won the great match race against
John X. Gentry In straight heats. The
race took place on the famous Washing
ton Park track. but as wind that
amounted to almost gale blew all at
ternoon sensational time perform
ance was out OF the question. The
three heats were covered In 205 Ia.
2;0l Ia.
Twelve thousand people saw the race.
and the fact that betting was prohlb-
tied did not deter the crowd from show
Ing degree OF enthusiasm that is
seldom eNcelled at horse race, Gentry
was undoubtedly slight favorlte In
the public well wlshers. Patchen was
cheered just the same. In what little
betting outside Of the track Gentry
also ruled a favorite at about 10 to 9.
At the end OF the second heat horse
men were pronounclng It the best race
In history. In these two miles Gentry
was close contestant and considering
what was at stake, the contest was
regarded as unprecedented. But the
third heat went to the big black so
easily that veterans We're disposed
10 qualify their opinion as to the pre-
eminence of the race. Patchen appear
ed full OF life and spirit. Gentr looked
tired and when they scored for the first
time Patchen clearly showed more
9INths htllAiN ulpht vi lHt ttAOUu Ut
tempt and acted ugly.
They went away on the fifth score
together Turning into tho home
stretch. entry led by lenEh or more
and his supporters were buoyant. but
on the way to the wire the crowd was
surprised to see Patchen. without be-
ing touched by the whip, come up on
the outside and on his own gameness.
beat Gentry by 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 let
Patchen go out and set the pace all the
way round to the stretch. Then en-
sued "a long and furious drive. Nc
Henry using the whip savagely on
Gentry, who oVercame all but about
hire feet OF the lengths difference that
had separated them at the head OF the
stretch, but Patchen had both speed
and endurance and won. Time by
quarters. '3S "a, 30, 81 l-2. 80 1-2.
Never did a horse show greater
gameness than Gentry displayed in
this quarter. For quarter OF mile
he stood the lash, straininE every
nerve, and being apparently In dis
tress all the way yet never once did
he show the slightest inclination to
break
The third heat was easy for Patchen.
who led and won by two lengths.
Time for quarters, 81 80. :S2 II. ;9l Ia,
:3l 30.
The only explanation offered after
the race by Driver McHenry and own
er Scott. was that their horse was nor
In condition.
Both horses will go to Fleetwood
Park to race next week. An attempt
Is being made to get match between
Joe Patchen and Fidol here on Satur-
day. II this is not done. Patchen may
go against time. Only one race In
addition to the special was completed.
That was the S-three-year-old trot.
Breeders stake for 3-year-olds, BPS
trot purse $1,000: Abner won. Pat l..
second. Marie d. third. Best time.
2:l4 H.
Special pacing race, purse $4,000; Joe
Patchen Curry won, John Il. Gentry,
CMcIienry) second, Best time, 2:05 Ia.
2;l2 pacing, purse $1,000, (unhnished);
Susie @. Won two heats, Slumber won
one. Best time. 2;11 IA.