Evening star., 1898-07-30

1t is to be regretted that the rain spoiled
the match race of ten miles between
Michaei and Moran, advertised for We'd
neSoay evening. There was every indica-
ton that the affair would bring out the
banner attendance at a local race meet.
Every seat in the grand stand had been
disposed of, and a good many general ad-
mission tickets sold. This fact is clear
indication that large crowd would have
been present. In drawing up the agree
ment it was understood that the race was
70 come OF Wednesday, but in case of rain
the event was to be postponed until the
following night. Through an oversight
this fact was not put in the agreement,
which did not provide for any postpone
ment Verbally the advance agent of the
Michael aggregation was willing for Thurs
day night. The fifteen-mfle paced match
race arranged for Tuesday evening in Bal
timore was prevented by the rain and the
race was arranged for Thursday evening
the management of Michael not expecting
to encounter rain in this city on Wednes-
day. The calculations went wrong, how
ever, and Washington for the time being
has been euchred out of an opportunity to
witness the wonderful Welsh rarebit ride.
Dave Shafer, Michaers trainer has some
interesting views on the racing question
and naturally places Michael as the best
rider for middle distances in the world.
when MichaelS time of riding is over"
said he, Il will go out of the business. As
he is now he is undoubtedly the best rider
in the world, and he can get plenty of
backing in any race. Eddie McDutfie, the
Bostonian, who is riding in such good FORM
cannot keep up. l do not think that he can
beat Linton. He is too old 10 ride, being
thlrty-four years. On the other hand,
Edouard Taylore, the French rider is the
coming man. He is only seventeen years
OF age, and he-iS so young that his bone
and muscles have not as yet fully set. He
cannot be trained as hard as a middle
distance rider ought to. l think that
Major Taylor is the best sprint rider in the
country today. Edouard Tayiore can easily
beat him in middle-distance events, and
Taylore can also easily defeat Linton or
easily beat McDuffie in his match race Sat
urday afternoon at the Charles River
track. Michael is far above Taylore in
middle-distance riding as the Frenchman
is above all other men in this country.
Notice now badly the Welshman will beat
McDuffie next Saturday afternoon when
the two meet at the Willow Grove track,
Philadelphia"
In the practice riding Wednesday after
noon at the park track Shafer Michael and
the pacemakerS were struck with the speed
of the course. 1T is undoubtedly one of
the fastest courses in the country said
Shafar, "and with the exception Gt the
Willow Grove track is perhaps the fastest.
When Taylore broke the worlds hour rec
ord at Willow Grove on July he hardly
believed that he had accomplished the feat
himself. He gave a shrug of his shoulders,
and E1urmured something about that being
almost impossible. On your local track 1
rode Michael for six miles. which he COW
cred in 11.02. The men started out at a
comparatively easy gait, my intention being
to run the miles off at about two minutes
to the mile. The first mile was made in
1.45, and l yelled to the pacemakers to
slow up, which they did but the slowest
mile that could he made 1-50 The
pacemakers sat upright on their machines.
and almost coasted around the track, and
yet the miles came off around LEO. 1t is an
excellent track
Among the Michael group that came to
this city was the bull pup that was present
ed to Michael by a female admirer who
lives in New York. The animal is supposed
to be a mascot, but he seems to be just the
reverse. With large leather collar, stud
ded with brass ornaments, and a spotted
face, he is not such a handsome brute by
any means. The first two defeats of the
season received by Michael was laid at the
door of the bull pup, and the fact that he
came to this city and to Baltimore, bring
ing rain at both places, Is also laid on the
canine. The animal does not seem to mind
all of this. 1t does not appear to affect his
appetite any, judging by his size, and the
way he walks around and picks up scraps
with other ours gives one the idea that the
bull considers himself something out Of the
ordinary run of the dog family.