Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-21
GAMY JOE PATCHEN
Sent Against Three Records at Joliet,
III in Same Afternoon.
Lowers worId's Four.whssI Sulksy Record
Does Great Work In Others.

Joliet, Ills, Oct. 20-Without ans
preparation for such trial, Joe Patch.
en-. the black pacing stallion, this af-
ternoon, reduced the worlds pacing
record to a four wheeled sulky, by
nearly seconds. The record was es-
tablished at ingalls, park track, in this
city, before POO people who had been
attracted by the announcement that
Star Pointer would go against both
Tthe wagon and high wheel sulky rec
ords, and that Joe Patchen would try
to beat his own record Of 2.01A.
A few minor races completed the
programme, but the attraction was the
big PAGER and when 1t was announced
that Star Pointer was lame and Owner
Murphy had refused to let him fulfil
his engagement there was much dis
satisfaction. But Mr.. Marks, the
owner of Joe Patchen, agreed to let
the black horse take Star Pointer j
place and go against the wagon and
high wheel sulky records.
Previous to this, about o'clock, the
great son of Patchen Wilkes had gone
a really remarkable mile in attempting
to beat his own record of 2.01A. Driv-
en- by Atkinson, he went the circuit in
record. Several watches caught the
time in 2.02k
He was urged a great deal in this
heat, but as he did not appear until
AIS o'clock to make his trial against
the wagon or four wheeled sulky record,
he probably was in well nigh perfect
condition for the latter trial. The wind
too, had died down to almost nothing,
and but for the cold atmosphere and
the horses unfamiliar with the vehicle,
1t being the first time he had been
hitched to four wheel sulky, this
year, the conditions for a great perfor-
nance were propitious. Oscar Ames
was in the sulky in place of Atkinson.
After scoring once Ames signalled tor
the word and away the big black went
with the running mate trailing length
or two away. Ames rated his charge
splendidly, covering the first quarter
in 32h. skimming along the back
stretch with the stallion moving easily
in 3114. Around the far turn the PAGER
faced the breeze. whatever there was
of it, but it was here that Ames urged
him. and with the running mate along
side. he responded to the call, and the
noble Patchen sped over the third quar-
ter in 30l9 seconds.
1t was now a foregone conclusion that
the record would be broken. and out
bursts of applause began before the horse
was well Strengthened out for home. Ames
knew the staying power of his horse and
never relinquished urging him by voice
and with an occasional sharp crack of
the whip. The result was the last quarter
was made in 302. seconds the time for the
last half mile being 1.01h, and the great
PAGER finished strong and true, nearly
four seconds ahead of the record. Time
. 04a4.
The former record was held by w. W.
r.. having been made at Terre Haute in
1873. The announcement of the time elicit
ed prolonged cheers.
Joe Patchen appeared fairly tired after
the trial. but nevertheless he was taken
to the stable. rubbed down and prepared
for his trial against the high wheel sulky
record The general verdict was that he
would not be able to repeat his record
breaking, although the high wheel record,
held by Johnston is 2.O6A, and the black
would not need to go as fast as his mile
to the wagon in order to win.
1t was 5.13 when the horse came on the
track hitched to the big-wheeled sulky.
After two scores. Ames signalled for the
word and they were sent away. the run
ner trailing as before. The quarter was
reached in 32l2 the same time as made in
the trial with the wagon, but the second |
quarter, showed decrease of speed. the |
time being 1.03a.. The three-auarters was |
reached in 1.35 fiat and the mile in 2. O6s4,
half second short of the record This |
however. beats the best efforts made by
John r. Gentry, this season, against the
same mark.