The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-27
Wonderful Performance in View of
the Fact that the Track Was
Not in Prime Condition.
OVATION FOR OWNER KETCHAM
ALMOST CARRIED TO THE JUDGES
STAND AND ASKED TO SPEAK.
Cresceus Now the Holder of Several
Trotting Observation-Disclosures of 9th
er Grand Circuit Races.

CLEVELAND, July 26.--Amid the en-
thusiastic cheers of nearly ten thousand
people, Cresceus, the worlds champion
trotting stallion. again demonstrated that
he is the peer of all trotters by trotting a
mile this afternoon over the Glenville track
In 2:0224. This establishes a new worlds
trotting record for both sexes, replacing
the former worlds record of 2:031l, held by
The Abbott.
The circumstances connected with this
remarkable performance were anything but
conducive to fast time as owing to the
heavy rains of last night the track was not
in the best OF condition to-day and Ii was
about $50 p. m. before the track was
deemed TO be in sufficiently good shape to
warrant making the attempt. AT that time
the suns heat had been replaced by cool
breezes. Even then, there were but few
horsemen that looked for a mile better
than 2:05.
After having been given several pre-
liminary miles, George Ketcham came out
with the stallion to attempt what seemed
an impossible feat. ketcham nodded for
the word on the third score, the horse trot-
ting like a machine. Accompanied by a
runner, the chestnut stallion fairly flew to
the quarter. the timers watches registering
just thirty seconds. AS Cresceus swung into
the back stretch he was Joined by a second
runner. and, although many predicted that
the footing was such as would retard his
speed he reached the half in 1:01, and the
immense crowd cheered. The three-quar-
ters pole was reached in 1:3l&, and as the
great stallion trotted into the stretch, a
runner on either side.e his frictionless ma
chinelike stride was fairly eating up the
distance. Never once faltering, notwith-
standing the terrific clip he fairly flew to
the wire, being sustained only by his in
domitable courage and almost human in
teligence, not being touched once by the
whip, his sole urging being the drivers
voice and the hoofbeats of the accompany
ing runners.
AS the time for the mile was announced
2:02%4-and the immense crowd realized that
a new worlds record had been established
Ketcham and his favorite stallion were
rendered an ovation such as has seldom
been witnessed a race track. Thousands
of enthusiastic people rushed out on the
track, and Ketcham was lifted from the
sulky and carried to the grand stand on
the shoulders Of admirers. Cheer after
cheer rent the air, and the name of Cres-
ceus was upon the lips of every one pres
ent "Ketcham. Ketchamr yelled the
crowd and the owner of the sturdy son
of Robert McGregor was almost carried
to the judges stand, where he delivered
a brief address
Cresceus now not only holds the worlds
trotting record for both sexes, but last
week at the Detroit Grand Circuit meet
ing, by trotting in 2:06s4 and 2:O5 in his
race against Charley Herr, secured the
worlds record for the two fastest heats
ever trotted in a race, his second mile in
2:o5 also being a new worlds record for
the fastest mile ever trotted in race and
also the fastest second heat ever trotted.
1t is said by prominent horsemen that
George Ketcham deserves much credit for
the remarkable achievements of Cresceus.
Mr.. Ketcham not only owns the world S
champion trotter, but he also bred him
and has driven him in all of his races.