The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-08-21
THE WORLDS TRO77|NG RECORD.
cresceus and The Abbott Lower
all Former Records.

New lOTh, aug. lo."1uc IloIGluS
interests of the Empire City have not
received such boom in quarter of
a century as was developed today at
the Brighton Beach track, when. under
the auspices of the New York Trot-
ting association, the champion stallion
and champion gelding Cresceus and
The Abbott came together for
purse of $4,000.
The Abbott, with his record Of 2 :O3
IA, of last season, and Cresceus,
with his mark of POP IA, made at Co
lumbus, were to decide the question OF
which was the one to go down in his
tory of the fastest trotting horse now
living.
There was a larger crowd present
than ever seen on a New York trot-
ting track. It was estimated that
fully Is, 600 people were present. The
weather was simply perfect for the
great trial, and the track was like vel
vet, though probably second slow.
Several times during the afternoon
both horses put in some preliminary
work and each time they passed the
crowd there was great enthusiasm.
It was about $50 O'Clock when the
drivers, Keacham and Geers. appeared
before the grand stand and obtained
their position for start by the flip OF
a coin.
Luck was with the driver of Cres
ceus, as he secured the pole, decided
advantage when two horses so nearly
equal in point of record are considered.
When. a little later, the horses came
from the paddock they were wildly
cheered and they looked fit for the
work before them.
Each was driven up and down the
stretch for a warming up and when
they reached the starter Cresceus was
slightly in the lead and they were
called back. The next time. however,
they were nose and nose. Then Cres--
ceus rushed to the front and had lead
of length which he held to the quar-
ter, making that mark in 80 3-4.
This lead The Abbott had slightly
reduced at the half, which was reach
ed in l :01 IA, and he was very close
second at the three-quarter pole IN
l :32 IA. Coming down the stretch it
was a battle royal. with The Abbott
very close up, but Cresceus, with his
bull dog grip, kept on with nostrils
distended and just managed to beat ms
opponent by a half length in FOB IA
the worlds trotting record in q race:
To say that the announcement created
tumultuous applause only family con-
veys the meaning Of the expression.
a little over half an hour had ex-
pired when the two grand horses came
out for their second trial and were
started under the same condition that
existed in the first heat. They were
sent away beautifully, bnt The Alb
bott had not travelled hundred yards
before he had made disastrous break
and before he could recover his gait
Cresceus was in front.
The Abbott, once settled, made a
grand effort to overtake his opponent,
but the son of Robert Gregor was ont
for victory and kept on passing the
quarter in 81 3-4 seconds: the half
in l :O2 1-2: the three quarters in l :3o
and came rushing him the last quarter
in 81 1-2 seconds, doing the mile in
2:O6 IA, with The Abbott back Of the
flag.
As the race was best three in five,
Ketcham consented that Cresceus go
another heat This he did shortly be-
fore 5 O'Clock, accompanied by run
ner for the first half, where he was
Joined by another runner and he did
the mile in 2:05. the quarter in 80 l-2,
the half in l :01 1-2: and the three
quarters in "a.
The betting before the race was 800
to $50 on Cresceus, and it was lively,
there being many of the followers of
The Abbott and of his driver, Geers,
who were willing to take the short end.
The summary Of the regular events
is as follows:
2 30 Trot-Neva Simmons, won
first, second and fifth heats and race:
All Right, second, winning third
and fourth heat; Helen Grace thidr.
Best time, 2 IL IA.
81 % Pace-Sphynx won second,
third and fourth heats and race. Car
mine s~,ond, winning first heat: Lit
tie Sqr third. Best time, ? OF II.
2:10 / s-Jaggles won second. third
and fourt e.eats and race. King Chimes
second, winning first heat. Temple
Wilkes, third. Best time, 2.09.