The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-29
And Like a WhirIWind Came Down
the Stretch,
MAKING A MILE RECORD OF 1:5s "a
For Years the Event Was Looked For, and the
Game Offspring of Hal and Sweep
stakes Was the One TO
Do the Act.

Readville, Mass, Aug. 28.-Th4 Chica-
go pacing stallion. Star Pointer, owned
by James A. Murphy, today wiped out
th= two-minute mark and ended the con-
troversy which has been going on for
years as to the speed qualities of a
horse. He was paced by a runner, a
big bay Tennessee s-bred stallion. and
wiped out the record mark and had a
second and thre=-quarters to spare. The
wonderful performance was witnessed
by about 5000 people.
There were two false breaks, but the
third time down there was no hesitancy
McClary bent down to the work, and at
1t the pair went, Pointer right at the
runners saddle. The first quarter was
done at two-minute gait in thirty sec
onds, and then as McClary caused his
PAGER to move in the second quarter.
there was great cheering for he was
breaking the two minut4s all to pieces
and went to the half in 59%, the second
quarter being made in 29% seconds.
Could he keep it up? Yes, and more, for
the third quarter was the fastest of the
mile. The distance was covered in 2skt
seconds, 1857 gait. Around the turn
Pointer seemed to waver the smallest
fraction of second, but McClary had
him right almost before one could see it,
and Strengthened into the stretch. the
running mate moving. up even closer.
step along The driver laid the whip on
tha runner, but McClary sopke one word
of encouragement to his horse. At the
drawgate Star Pointer was reefed a lit
tie and coming stronger with the dis
tance. The great pacing stallion appear
ed to fresh=n in the last few strides,
gathering strength and courage, and as
he neared the wire finished like a lion in
the record-breaking time of 1:5914.
Since 1884, when the game little Robert
] paced a. mile in 2:101l, the. horse world
has been looking for the two minutes
mark to be reached. In 1894 1t looked as
though the gelding John R. Gentry would
get it, but the season went by and last
year even some of the more ardent in
their bets were inclined In the middle
of the season to think that it would be
many years in coming, as the candidates
then did not look promising. But in Sep
tember Star Pointer forced John r. Gem
try to a race record of 21O1s at Glen's
Falls, and then both horses were counted
likely candidates. Billy Andrews, with
Gentry, got chance at the mark at the
Rigby track at Portland, in October, but
again Pointers daring interfered. Cen
try came very near it and took the crown
which today was wrested from him.
Today was the first performances that
He had defeated Joe Patchen twice out
of three times, and John R. Gentry, the
only time he got a chance at him, and
as no other candidates were in sight, the
owner decided to take time honors.
Summary:
To beat the worlds pacing record, 2:O1h
Star Pointer, b. c. by Brown Hal, dam
Sweepstakes (McClary). Time, 3O:59z;
u :29; 1:59A.
The 2:2O pace-Purse s1,O0O--W. III. q.
won second, fifth ard sixth heats Best
time, 2:09A; Lady Golden won first and
third heats. Time, 2:13A; Jane won
fourth heat. Time, 2:141a. Star Wilkes,
Red Elm, Miss Ellinor, Sidworth, T. d.,
and Bay Baron also started.
The 2:20 trot-Purse $1,00o-Cresceus
won first, second and third heats. Best
time 2:11A Medium Wood Charlie C.,
Agnes Morrill,, Edonia, Alday, Spinalong,
Bowery Bell, Palm Leaf, Clairmont
Emily and Eleanor also started.
The 2:11 pacing, purse $1000-Dan won
third fourth and sixth heats. Best time
2OS1k. Mignon won third heat Time,
209A; Kansas won fifth heat. Time,
21OH. Mabel won first heat. Time
210H Maple Field, Woodshed, Pilgrim,
St Clair and iAlegnon also started.
The PIG pace, purse 81 Cooking Eg-
bert won third, fourth ard fifth heats.
Best time 2:10A; Claud Forester won Sec
ond heat. Time, 2:11A. Indie SILK won
Margaret Laisne and Annie Shedd salso
started.