Great Falls weekly tribune., 1896-07-03
AN EASY VICTORY
joe Patchen Defeats John T.. Gentry
in Two Heats at Washiug-
ton Park,
RATHER A DISAPPOINTMENT
Time Was Good But It Was Not
Up TO the Expectations OF the
LaZge Crowd.


Washington park Joe Patchen reneated
bis performance at that track in last
August, when he humbled the pride OF
John f, Gentry. Today's match, as at
their meeting in 1885, was a two heat
affair and Patchen won two straight
heats decisively, That the public likes
two heats 80 well as three, if not better,
was atteated by the attendance. Six
thousand persons saw the race, much
better crowd than was expected.
Both PAGERS were enthusiastically ap-
plauded on their appearance for the first
heat. Gentry looks larger than last
year. Patchen, although 1t was his first
race of the season, confirmed in his ap-
pearance Curry's declaration that the
big black was fit to race.
Joe Patchen was at slight disad-
antage in the start for the first heat, be-
ng a neck behind, although having the
pole and scarcely on his stride, but the
big fellow was on even terms. and really
there was no time in either heat when
he did not seem to have a slight ad-
vantage over the bay. Gentry's support
ere lost heart when he failed promptly
to improve his advantage in the send off
Of the first heat. With his supposed
superior condition as shown by his mile
in 2:0315, last week, Gentry, should they
agreed, get away from Patchen at the
very outset. But he did not. All the way
around to the far turn Patchen led most
Of the time by a length. There, however,
Andrews sent his charge along and the
crowd became enthusiastic in anticpa! p
ton Of hot finish. They were disap-
pointed only in part. Before they were
well straightsned out for home Gentry
was on even terms. The big black drew
away slightly, but, nearing the eighth
pole, Andrews began to drive, and in a
few strides Gentry was head and head
with the big fellow and the crowd
shouted "Grntry," but suddenly the
bay horse faltercd and then went into
| he air, patchon going under the wire
an easy winner, Time by quarters was:
:'j21l5, LOB, 1873; 2:O519, The conditions
were pretty favorable for good time, the
track being very fast and the wealth er
hot, but a brisk breeze up the track had
some effect.
The crowd anticipated that Gentry
would not break in the next heat and
watched them start easily. The black
at once set out to pace and majority Of
the old horsemen present, observing the
appearance Of each horse in action, con-
cluded long before the heat WAS finished
that the race was over. Patchen trav-
eled the entire mile with machine like
precision and ease. A great part of the
time his lead amounted TO almost two
lengths. Andrews waited for the drive
as long as he dared IN the stretch and
then closed a little, but by the time he
was within length of his gliding oppo-
nent Gentry once more faltered and
broke and everything was oyor, Patchen
winning easily. Time by quarters; 32l
l.22 =, l:"7lil, 2:@j'l.
Had there been any betting Gentry
would have been the favorite before the
last heat There is no doubt patchen
is in great mottle and a wonderful horse.
After the race Curry said that if the big
black did not go wrong this year he
would beat Robert Us marx Of POI =,