The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-21
ALMOST FOUR SECONDS
CUT OFF THE FOUR-WHEEL SULKY
RECORD by JOE PATCHEN.
Mile Paced in 2:O4 3-4-JohnstOn's
HiSh-Wheel Record Almost EquaIed
Results of Other Races.

JOLIET, ILL.,, Oct 2O.-Without any prep
aration for such a trial, Joe Patchen, the
black pacing stallion, this afternoon re-
duced the worlds pacing record to four
wheel sulky by nearly four seconds. The
record was established at Ingalls, Park
track. this city, before 200 people, who had
beer attracted by the announcement that
Star Pointer would go against both the
wagon and high-wheel sulky records, and
that Joe Patchen would try to beat his own
record of 2:01A A few minor races COM
pleted the programme, but the attraction
was the big PAGERS, end when 1T was an
nounced that Star Pointer was lame, and
that Owner Murphy had refused to let him
fulfill his engagement, there was much dis
satisfaction. But Mr.. Marks, the owner of
Joe Patchen, agreed to let the black horse
take Star Pointers place and go against
the wagon and hgh-wheel sulky records
and this announcement was greeted with
loud applause
Previous to this, about 8 o'clock, the
great son of Patchen Wilkes had gone a
really remarkable mile in attempting to
beat his own record of 2:01A. Driven by At
kinson he went the circuit in 2:024, lower
ing the ingalls, Park record. The time by
quarters was :31a4, 1:02, 1:321a, 2:O2A. Sew
eral watches caught the time at 2:O212. The
horse was urged great deal in this heat,
but as he did not appear until Ais o'clock
to make his trial against the wagon or
four-wheel sulky record. he probably was
in well-nigh perfect condition for the latter
trial The wind, too, had died down TO al
most nothing, ard but for the cold atmos-
phere and the horses unfamiliarity with
the vehicle it being the first time he had
been hitched to a four-wheel sulky this
year, the conditions for great perform
ance were propitious. Oscar Ames was in
the sull1y in place of Atkinson, Owner
Marks having made contract with the
former trainer of Colonel Taylors horses
during the afternoon.
After scoring once Anes signaled for the
word, and away the big black went with
the magnificent stride now so familiar to
the followers of the harness horse in the
vicinity of Chicago, and with the running
mate trailing a length or two away. Ames
rated his charge splendidly, covering the
first qquarter in 321a seconds, skimmng
along the back stretch with the stallion
moving easily in 81. Around the far turn
the PAGER faced the breeze, whatever there
was of it, but it was here that Ames first
urged him, while the running mate, too,
drew along, and, responding to the call,
noble Patchen sped over the third quarter
in 301a seconds. 1t was now foregone
conclusion that the record would be
broken. and outburstS 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 an occasional sharp crack
of the whip The result was the last quar-
ter was made in 1904 seconds, the time for
the last half-mile being 1;0lA, and the great
Ep,fc1 II VI
four seconds ahead OF the record The for
mer record was held by w. w. p, having
been made at St. Paul in 1885 The an
Newton elected prolonged cheers.
Joe Patchen appeared fairy tired after the
trial. but, nevertheless, ne was taken to the
trial against the high-Wheel sulky record
also, according to agreement. The general
his record-breaking, although the high
wheel record, held by Johnston, is 2:06A
and the black would need to go as fast as
his mile to the wagon in order to win. 1t
was 5:15 when the horse came on the track
hitched to the big-wheel sulky which had
been made especially for Star Pointer
After two scores Ames signaled for the
word and they were sent away, the runner
trailing, as before. Inc quarter was
reached in :S2A. the same time as made in
the trial with the wagon but the second
quarter showed q decrease of speed the
time being 1:03a4. the three-quarters was
reached in 1:95 fiat and the mile in 2:06a4
however, beats the best efforts made by
John r. Gentry this season against the
same mark.
During the afternoon Star Pointer was
logged in front OF the stand. His leg was
injured at Indianapolis some weeks ago and
again hurt at ST Joseph on Oct. T. sum
mary of other events:
Women drivers, two in three:
Toxic r., br. h. Miss Lolita Grimes). L /
Reuben S., br g Miss Waneta
N1IlneSl i z
Time-2:l41l 2:l5. 2:l7A.