The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-14
SPORTING NEWS.
Cresceus is Easily the Best
Horse of His Glass.
KetchamsS Great TrOtter Con-
Ketcham's Great Trotter Con-
sidered the Champion.
AFTER BOSTON. STAKE.
The 100000 Purse Thought to
Be at His Mercy.
Tommy BrittOn and John Nolan
Simply Playthings.

Chicago, Aug 14-Cresceus made the
first mile at Washington park Saturday
in 2:0615, which is within half a second
of his record, the fastest mile ever trotted
in Chicago. and Tommy Britton, who was
but little behind the big stallion from
Ohio, went over the track as fast as he
had travelled this year. The race did one
thing conclusively, and that was to prove
that ketcham has u wonderful horse in
Cresceus- When he clipped his record at
Columbus and took the second and third
heats in 2:06 fiat Cresceus at once began
to be the most discussed harness horse in
America
The performance was remarkable and
rightly horsemen turned to the bulldog
looking horse to beat the records of Direc-
tun and Altx- The work cut out for the
big fellow Saturday proved so easy for
tanned his ability What he could have
done had he been called upon to exert
himself is y matter fol. speculation
For the first time since Ketcham
brought out his wonderful trotter he gave
him this year a slow, careful preparation
for the campaign. Cresceus was not kept
IN the stud, but was logged and worked
all winter and spring solely with a view
to putting him in the best possible condi-
Tommy Britton at Pittsburg july he had
trotted no fast miles hut he vraS knovvn
to be in fine form. The local stallion
proved to be no great match for him and
Cresceus won without beating 2:l0 His
next start was at Cleveland, where he
defeated John Nolan, Grattan Boy, Tom
my Britton, Charley Herr and Kingmond
in 2:079z and 2:06s4 the fastest two heats
ever trotted by a stallion. This was less
Columbus he won the fastest three heats
ever trotted by a stallion, stepping his
coming back third time in the same
notch. The three heats average 2:061a-
bus record of Creseeus, and Directum Is
the only stallion among them, In the
ship mark of 2:0514 he had not tratted
faster than 2;1O up to the middle Of Au-
Hanks, 1904, or Azote. 2:04s4, had equaled
2;06 at this stage of the campaign i'll the
II all goes Well with the chestnut son of
Robert McGregOr it is all but a foregOne
e e9a995o n Jhae h he W ha ye5 mPrqIe
record of Direetum. and good many
beat the record of Alix.
Cresceus Is one of the horses entered in
the $4,000 stallion race to be trotted at the
New England Breeders meeting at Bos-
ton next month, There is many a slip
'twixt the cup and the lip, but nearly all
the turfmen now believe he has the big
race about as good as won, barring acct
refused an offer OF $4,000 for his horse,
individually Cresceus falls short of be-
ing a handsome horse. but viewed as a
fault in structure His neck is straight |
his hips are somewhat rough and he lacks
style On the other hand, he is one of
the most powerfully formed trotters in
draft horse. Jack curry says his muscu-
lar development through the STILES and
propelling parts surpasses any horse he |
ever saw Cresceus is a light chestnut. or |
sorrel standing nearly sixteen hands high. |
His action is remarkably easy apparently |
when he is moving at top speed. He car |
ries a good many boots in his races, being |
protected all the way to the knees and !
hooks. His owner seldom drives him, |
except in races, an assistant giving him |
all his exercise. Mr.. Ketcham said Sat |
urday that Creseeus had never been driven |
a really fast mile in his work.
Britton and Cresceus met in numerous |
matches in the past few years and the |
local horse found no difficulty in defeating |
ketcham's pride at any stage of the game.
It was not until this year that the coIOrs /
of Britton were lowered to his recent con
queror- But the contests this season re- |
suited in conclusive victories, and the |
question of the better horse has been set |
tied for all time. The results previous to |
Saturday were not fully conclusive, but /
to those who witnessed the races at /
Washington park there is but one claim /
ant for Directum's honors.