The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
WITNESSED BY A GREAT CROWD
WHICH WREATHED THE STALLION
IN FLOWERS As HE FINISHED.
Closed the Grand Circuit Meeting ut
CoIumbus-2;I1 Pace Won by
Harold III. I'm Fast Time.
COLUMBUS. O.. Aug. 2-cresceus. cham

COLUMBUS, O., Aug. 2-cresceus, cham
pion OF the trotting turf, added more lau-
rels to his fame to-day by trotting a mile
in 202h. reducing by half a second his
week-old record OF 2.o2s4. made at cleve-
land last Friday. The first half was trot-
ted i'm :59ss. the first time that the distance
has been covered in less than one minute
by a trotter. The time by quarters was
:29ss. :59ss l:SOi4 and 2:02il. Only a stin
wind blowing directly up the stretch kept
him from stepping faster than 2:02-
More than 1900 people journeyed to the
driving park, attracted TO see the greatest
trotter ever foaled in action. II was
brilliant assembiage and intense enthusi-
asm was manifested. The weather at noon
was unpromising TO a degree. After
week of fearful heat il lurned cool on
Thursday night. and strong wind blew up
from the south. At noon to-day the sky
was lowering and overcast, and a few
drops OF rain fell. but not enough TO hurt
the track which was in excellent condi-
ton. or keep the crowd away. About
o'clock the heavens cleared and the sun
came out warm and bright, but the wind
did not decrease In force.
In the overnight pool selling a great deal
of money went into the box at odds Of Is
track. owing to the fierce wind. the odds
against the horse increased to % to 5. but
the hackers of Crcsceus were game and
took the short end As long as pools were
sold.
George Ketcham appeared on the track
with Cresceus a little before o'clock.
The horse and driver were royalty received.
and Mr. ketcham was forced 20 '.ift his
cap as they passed the stand. The cham
piOn logged three miles slower snan 900
and one i'm 2:22 An hour later he came
out again. and after scoring several times
stepped a mile I'm 2:25. At 4:30 O'Clock he
worked out for the last time in 2:l5iz. He
evidently had great power i'm reserve, and
the vast throng waited patiently for the
great test. 1t was evident that the wind
would not decrease before dark. and at
$40 the stallion was brought out for the
test. Tim Murnin, his trainer. was ready
10 accompany him with a runner. and Dan
Laho waited at the half-mile pole 10 take
him on from there.
On the fifth score Ketcham nodded for
the word, but Cresceus was not I'm his
stride. and he pulled up at the first turn
10 try IL again. Down 10 the wire he
rushed the runner two lengths behind and
this time il was a go. Gamely facing the
breeze the champion started on his jour-
ney, moving with apparent ease and at
his greatest speed The runner caught
him at the quarter. and a sigh went up
from the breathless throng as the time
went up a quarter Of second less than
thirty. Now the wind was at his back, and
realizing the advantage. Ketcham kept
him at his great clip. The half-mile pole
was passed in 59A seconds. record never
before attained. and here the second run
ner caught him up. Into the far turn and
around 1t the great stallion thundered. his
mighty muscles and machine-like stride
carrying him as If on wings The three
quarter pole was reached and passed in
the wonderful time of 1904.
Then came the great trial. for as cres-
ceus turned into the stretch the bitter
wind beat him in the face and held him
back by force For the fraction OF a Sec
ond he seemed TO falter but his drivers
voice was in his ears. and on he came.
With that indomitable courage which
makes him what he is. he plunged on to-
ward the finish with unweakened stride.
and in spite OF WEAKNESS and the buffetlng
of the breeze. flashed under the wire a
winner against time. But for the wind
against which Cresceus struggled II Is be-
heved that his time would have been a
second faster. u was the most wonderful
mile ever trOtted on any track
Enthusiasm broke loose as soon as the
horse had passed the wire. The crowd
rush on the track 10 greet the champion
and huge wreath OF flowers was hung
around his neck. Mr.. ketcham. owner and
driver. was carried 10 the judges stand
and called on for speech. In a few words
he expressed his appreciation Of the in
terest taken in the attempt. his trust in
Ohio horses and his confidence I'm his own
great trotter. Cresceus was not unduly
fatigued by his effort. and half an hour
later seemed ready for another mile
CLOSE OF THE MEETING.