Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-30
REGAlNS HIS LAURELS.
ROBERT J.'S REVENGE ON JOE PATCHEN
Twelve Thousand People See the Race at Fleetwood Park-The Race in
 Detail.

New York Aug. 29.-.Twelve thousand persons saw Robert J. regain at Fleet wood park today 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.
 When the horses were called out for the race at 2:15, every available point on the grand stand and club house from which the race could be seen was occu- pied,s and the crowds overfiowed upon the rocks and hills which rise above the home stretch.
 The opening heat was good deal of fluke, like the opening heat in the free for all trotting. John R. Gentry was laid up from the start, McHenry's evident in- .tention being to let Joe Patchen and Robert J. fight it out, while he gave his horse an easy mile. Geers sent Robert J. into the lead in the first furlong, fol- lowed by Joe Patchen. At the half, in 1:02I4, Robert J. had lead of two open lengths and twas going easy. Curry called Joe Patchen as they turned for the point for the third quarter, and the stallion commenced to cut down Robert Us lead. Just as the spectators had climbed upon their seats in expectation of a rattllng finish, Joe Patchen made a break, followed instantly by Robert J.. near the three-quarter pole. Mascot, who was third, and within striking dis tance, shot to the front opening gap of five lengths before Robert J. settled and started after him. Andrews tried hard to keep Mascot In front to the wire, but Robert J. came on with brilliant rush in the home stretch. and. mailing the ex-champion fifty yards from the wire beat him easily in 2:06A. Joe Patchen's standstill break left him so far in the rear that Gentry beat him out for third place.
 Curry let Joe Patchen rush off his stride in the first furlong of the second heat and he was laid up after recover ing from his break. McHenry was out for it in earnest this time and Gentry chased the leader, Robert J., down l. the half in 100A. showing length in the rear as they passed that point. The terrific pace slackened as they struck the hill in the next quarter, Gentry not being able to find the limit of Robert J. $ speed, and trailing two lengths back. In this order they came to the home stretch, McHenry making hurricane drive with the North Carolina horse but to no pur- pose, as Robert J., going slightly within himself, finished an open length in front of the whipped-out Gentry horse. Mas cot was third and Joe Patchen aNpoor fourth Cheers greeted the announce ment of the time, 2:04A, which beats the best mile ever before made in harness on the Fleetwood course.
 In the third heat the quartette went away well punched at a record-smashing clip. The time to the quarter was O:3OR, and to the half an even 1:00 Robert J. at the pole was half length in front, with Gentry lapped and Joe Patehens white nose at Gentry's flank while Mas cot was half length back under pull Turning for the point of rocks. Patchen was seen to be gaining steadily, but slow ly, when all of a sudden the black horse made a tangled break and fell way be- hind. Gentry, too, faltered. for Patchen had run into his sulky, tearing off the rim of the wheel. From there to the wire it was a stern chase after Robert J., whom Geers had simply to steady and let sail without even coming to drive Gentry was four lengths behind at the finish, in 2:04A; Mascot as far back of him and Joe Patchen just inside of the flag.
 The race was disappointing to horse- men inasmuch as Joe Patchen never paced a single heat without break, thus leaving a doubt to the question as to whether he could speed with Robert J.