The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-28
BUTTE NEWS.
Race rack and
Stable Gossip


Oriental handicap, on the last day of
the Gravesend meeting, the Eastern
racing public. to whom the fleet mare
had become almost an idol. had seen
the last of this perfect piece of racing
machinery for the season. There was
some disappointment among her adj
mirers that, being in such perfect con-
dition, she was not taken to Morris
Park; but her trainer evidently thought
that six months of almost continuous
racing was enough for even this re-
marlzuble thoroughbred and took her
back TO Chllicothe. where she was re-
ceived with great enthusiasm.
The New York Telegraph says that
Imps great record this season is calcu-
lated to astonish even the regular race
goer who may have seen all her races
and almost every day new proof of her
wonderful performances comes to hand.
A few days ago Ben Holiday simply
romped away from his field IN the
Municipal handicap at Morris Park. and
when 1t is remembered that Imp has
made Ben Holiday look like selling
platter several times during the season,
that, in fact, he was never able to get
near her in a race, her splendid racing
qualities are most clearly shown.
Imp is considered by many turfmen
the greatest mare this country ever saw
s-sreater than Firenzi. Miss Woodford,
Senorita or any of the other old-time
stars that have held their own for so
long in the hearts of racing enthusiasts.
While the class of our handicap
horses may not be as high as it was in
other days. still the great number of
races Imp has run and won in one sea-
son, meeting all corners and carrying
all kinds of weight, puts her in class
Of her own. The stars of past years
picked their races and were careful to
run but few during season. Imp be-
gan at Bennings in April and raced
continuously till Sept. 30 without a
let up.
This faculty of keeping con edge"
throughout an entire racing season is
to horsemen no less remarkable than
the character of the races she ran from
start to finish. Trainer Charles Bross-
man came in for considerable criticism
from his brother hosemen and others
who believed that he was breaking the
mare down, but he got off with very
much the best of the argument, as Imp
appeared to get better as the season
waned. she is carrying more flesh
now and Is better than at any time this
year" said he on the day of the rum
ming of the Second Special, when she
gave weight to Ben Holiday and beat
him decisively in fast time.
There was sharp criticism Of some OF
Imp's races, but. carefully considered,
she did not run a bad race all season.
The public she had with her through
out and her victories toward the end
of the season We're occasions of a gen
eral outburst of applause. She had to
overcome some slight Eastern preju-
dice, but to thorough lovers of the turf
the mares splendid disposition, perfect
action and wonderful speed challenged
their warmest admiration.
Her Jockey had only to sit on her
and let her do her own work in her own
way and when it came to a tight finish
she needed little urging. her natural
gameness bringing her through.
She came to be spoken of as the
sleepy mare" or the black mare and
the joy of her colored rubber over her
victories made each one a source of fun
to racegoers, even though they had bet
against her. Don't Wake Her Ups
enthusiasm was simply uncomfortable
as the mare galloped home lengths in
front of her field. The whole grand
ment out of this simple darkys antics
and his foghorn voice than from all
the other races of the day.
1mp'S homecoming has for the past
several years been made the occasion
of a general jollifcation at Chillicothe,
Ohio, where she goes into winter quar-
tiers. This season the whole town turn
the time at least Uncle Dan Harness
and Charlie Brossman We're geater
people than Dewey or Schley A pa
rade of the streets was made with
brass bands blaring and flags flying,
while the sleepy mare" led by Don't
Wake Her Up" walked through the
lines of cheering Ross county admirers
as quietly as she was wont to go to the
post for many big event on the East
ern tracks.
Probably no thoroughbred that ever
raced in this country has been so genu-
inely loved by the people from where
she was bred as Imp. She is thorough
ly Ross county (Ohio) production
and they are prouder of her than OF
anything else in the county. 1t tickles
the heart of the Chillicothean, whether
he be interested in the turf or not. tina
"the sleepy mare can go East and bea
the best horses in training a all dis.
tanCes and with all sorts of weight up
and whether she races again next sea