The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-15
JOE PATCHEN COMING.
VIII Go Against Time to Lower His
Former Record Made Here.

Secretary Graves, of the indianapolis
Driving Club. yesterday received a letter
from Joseph Taylor. owner of Joe Patchen.
saying that the horse would be here next
week without fail. Mr.. Taylor added that
he was DESTROYS of sending Joe Patchen a
mile over the Indianapolis track 10 beat his
record. His record is 2:03A, made on the
fair grounds track two years ago He beat
his. own time during the same meeting,
when he was second in the race won by
Robert j.. but he received no official record
for tina work. AS it is, the record of 2:03A
still stands, and il is to beat this and If
possible to lower the track record here that
the horse will make the effort OF his life
next week. Mr.. Taylor says that his horse
can beat his record here If he can do 1t
anywhere. He is one of the many owners
of harness horses who are of the opinion
that the Indianapolis track is as good or
better than the best.
For a week past the members OF the In
dianapolis Driving Club have been besieged
by men who make a business of following
races with gambling devices. such as odd
Hi' and various wheels of fortune. They
are anxious to get permission TO operate
during the races here. To all the same an
swer has been given. The Driving Club is
unwilling to consent to anything of the
kind. and none of the many who have
sought the privilege have secured it. Vt
nearly all race courses these things go as a
matter of course. but the Indianapolis Driv-
ing Club cannot see it that way. The priv
ilege generally brings a handsome revenue
TO the projectors of the raceS-SometimeS II
* sufficient to paw several purSeS-but IL is
believed that the people will give the races
in this city the support which they de-
49, eGnf - will N n no nAN0GG2rV for
the club to depend upon other than the
gate receipts and the usual privileges TO
make the meeting a financial success
The races which just closed at Terre
Haute under this auspices of the Vigo
County Fair Association will furnish a
small contingent of horses for the Indian
city to-day. and be sent directly to the fair
grounds. where quarters nave been as
signed them. There are some good horses
among them which will be seen next
week. The Grand Circuit meeting at Fort
Wayne will contribute the greater number
of horses. The meeting there closes to-
day. and n special train Will bring the
horses to the city. arriving tomorrow
morning. Persons who have been watching
the Grand Circuit meetings cannot fail 10
have noticed the fine work which is being
done on all the tracks. Horses which are
entered here in classes 10 which they were
eligible AT the time the stake entries closed
have clipped so many seconds of their rec
ords tina they would now be barred from
entering the same classes. However. they
are entitled TO start in ell races In which
they are entered. no matter how far above
the class the may have become by their
work since the entries closed, several Weeks
ago.
Horsemen say il is worth several seconds
OF time to a horse 10 know the track pom
which he Is 10 be driven. The tracks built
of exactly the same material have a differ
emit feeling TO the horses, and il is often
the case that a horse may step from one
track 10 a much better one Ind not do so
we'll. This is because he has not accus-
toned himself TO the track. 1t is. there
fore. considered a fortunate thing that the
races here do not open until Tuesday after
noon By that time ever one or the four
or five hladred horses will have had ample
time TO get acquainted with the track on
which he Is expected TO race. 1t will in
spirc the horses with confidence. They not
only get accustomed 10 the quality of soil,
but get familiar with he surroundings and
feel more at home. This is worth a good
deal nOrsemcn say.