Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-08-16
CRESCEUS THE KING
His Record Of 2.02I-4 Not the
Limit Of His Speed.

Great Trotter owned and Bred in
ohio Has Started in 35 Races,
Never Failing to Get Part Of the
Money.
Many horsemen believe that Cres-
ceus, the king of the trotting turf,
will be able to lower the record Of
2.02H, made at Columbus, Ohio, re-
Gently. The track at Columbus is
not considered as fast as some others.
The performance is marvellous and
significant on analysis of the speed
by fractions. The great stallion trot-
ted the first quarter in 29%, to the
half mile post in 59$i, and reached the
third quarter in 1907. That is to
say he trotted a half-mile in less than
a minute, and three-quarters in but a
quarter of a second less than a two
minute gait
Cresceus, 2.02A, the champion trot-
ter of the world belongs to Ohio. He
is Ohio bred, and George II. Ketcham,
his breeder. owner and driver, is an
Ohio man through and through. To
Cleveland and Columbus belongs the
honor of possessing the tracks on
which, within seven days, this won
derful stallion established new rec
ords, coming within two and quarter
seconds of touching the two minute
mark. at which all lovers of the Ameri-
can horse have been looking as the
goal.
Cresceus himself belongs to Toledo,
in the suburbs of which city he was
bred and trained. Cresceus is seven
years old. His sire was Robert Nc
Gregor, 2.171A, the best stallion on the
trotting turf 20 years ago, and so fast
and game and noble looking that horse
men loved to call him the Monarch
of the Homestretch." Robert Nc
Gregor was a product of Orange coun-
ty. N. Y. and was by Major Edsall,
2.29. a son of the horse that got Gold
smith Maid, PA, from Nancy Whit
man, a daughter of the horse that got
the dam of Dexter. 2.17A.
Mabel, the dam of Cresceus. was by
| General r. L. Towards Mambrino, an
obscure son of Clay's Mambrino Chief
the sire of Lady Thorn, 2.1SA. Mabel
| also produced Anderson's Nightingale
2.101b, one of the most successful cam
paigners of her day. The granddam
of Cresceus was Contention, by Allie
West, 2.25, son Of Almont. Beyond
this point his pedigree is unknown.
| Though the new champion is one of
the stoutest hearted harness horses
that ever looked through a bride
close crosses of thoroughbred blood
are conspicuously absent in his pedi'
gree. But no trotter on the turf has a
| better sire and dam.
Mr.. Ketcham owned both Robert Nc
Gregor and Mabel. He paid to the late
William E. Spier about $500 for the
| sire Walter Magee, now the manager
| of James McCreery's stables, in New
| York, but at that time in the employ
Of Mr.. Ketcham, purchased the dam
of the future king for about $50.
During his career Creseus has start
| ed in "a races, of which he has won
| 90, and he has never failed to get a
| part of the money. He has won G.
heats in 230 or better. Sc in 2.20 OF
better. 81 in 2.15 or better, and 81 in
2.10 or better. In the last - months
he has trotted 81 heats below 2.0S. and
has covered six miles in POS or better
| He now holds the worlds trotting
record, the champion stallion record
the champion race record (2.05), the
fastest two heat race on record, and
innumerable records of minor note.
| Cresceus is the first stallion that
ever held the worlds trotting record
Lady Suffolk, 2.291a; Pelham, 2.2S;
Highland Maid 2.27; Flora Temple
219A; Dexter 2.17A; Goldsmith
Maid, PA: Rarus, 2.13A; st. Julien
211A; Jay Eye See, 2.10; Maud S.
2.O8A; Sunol, 2.0SA; Nancy Hanks
2.O4; AliX, 2.03%, and The Abbot
2.O3H, all the record holders since
2.30 was first made by trotter were
either mares or geldings.