The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-04

Tom Raymond, at Santa Ana, Cal,
writes to a friend in Butte that Eat
'em, Cookee," klamath Is in fine shape
this spring and thinks he can lower his
record close TO 2:04 this summer. He
will start the season at the Omaha
meeting, June to II, and will proba-
bly, come to Montana, but has not def
nitely decided yet.
The king of PAGERS. Robert j., 2:01h,
who wintered at Selma Ala gave an
exhibition of speed on Friday last,
with a runner as a pacemaker. He was
in fine condition, and considering that
he was rather fieshy, and that IL is yet
very early in the season, he made
fast mile. The track was a little
heavy, but he covered the distance in
2:0S%. This is the fastest mile he ever
made at this season, IL not absolutely
the fastest that any horse has made
this early in harness.
There were about 1,200 persons pres
ent, and Robert seemed to enjoy his
performance as much as any one of
them. In warming up he was timed
an eighth of a mile in 1874 seconds.
THIS is las gait and about the fast
est eighth he ever stepped. This in
dictates that Trainer Green made no
mistake in-selecting this place for win
tering his horses. Except Fantasy all
are in fine condition. Fantasy is fast
recovering from an injury received not
long since when being logged on the
road.
Louisville, April PA rather small
horse, with tremendous chest, massive
shoulders, cleanly muscled legs, and
body that would be called long were it
not for the wonderful development,
rolled about in the straw in his stall at
Churchill Downs yesterday afternoon.
Every hair on his coat shone and the
glossy body indicated good condition.
The colt was Ben Brush, about whom
more has been written of late than any
other horse in the country. He had
Just journeyed from New York to Louis
vile, where he is entered in the Ken
lucky Derby.
Ben Brush stood the journey splen-
didly. On the morning after he ar
rived he vert through his usual work,
light of course, but still more than
would have been expected in view of his
long trip. Those who have looked at
Dryers great colt since his arrival
think he is a trifie heavy and will have
| to be worked down little. Brush al
ways was a rather sluggish goer, but
Just now 1t is doubtful If he could stir
himself to an eyelash finish. such as he
may be called upon to make.
Since the above was written Ben
went the mile and quarter in 2:11A,
with 125 pounds.
After Ben Brush had been worked
out a big chestnut, with f1axen tail
and the crest of a war horse, merged
with kindly tread from the stable Of
ST Hughes 1t was First Mate, the colt
that has set the bulk of the rail birds
wild by his work. He's what the little
niggers call hot rags" "oil in de can"
etc. He was logged a couple of times
around the track and a few minutes
later he was given the signal. The first
furlong was covered in 0:12A, quarter
in OPS 1-5. three furlongs in 0:37 2-5,
half in O:5lh, seven furlongs in 1:0411,
three-quarters in ILL 2-5, seven fur
longs in 1870 1-5, mile in 1:44, mile and
a furlong in ESQ 20, and mile and a
quarter in 2:10.
A cheer went up from the rail birds
and other spectators. 1t was the best
work of any colt entered in the Derby.
And the most impressive part of the
performance was that. he covered the
| last quarter in 0:24, the fastest part of
the journey. 1t had a perceptible effect
on the First Mate hackers, who wanted
| to bet that he would beat any horse in
! the race-and then they added bar
| one" They have hopes that he'll beat
| bar one" also, but they're not betting
that way-in fact. that seems to be the
general sentiment. Many of the best
| horsemen at the track think there is
| an excellent chance to beat Ben Brush,
! but they don't care to bet much on II.
1t is simply a question of condition.
/ There is only a short period of 10 days
| before the race, and the stable can't
| get any more than three moves into
| Brush In that time. II this is suffi-
cient Dwyer will get "the dough-" If
IL isn't, there'll be another Derby ia
vorite to join Himyar. Runnymede
| Gallifet. Proctor Knott and the others