New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
CRESCEUS THE WINNER.
FIRST HEAT FASTEST EYER
TROTTED IN A RACE.
THE ABBOTS CHECK REIN BROKE IN
THE SECOND HEAT, AND HE
WAS DISTANCED.

In the presence of the largest crowd ever as
sembled at the famous old Brighton Beach race
track, Cresceus 2:O2A, the king of trotters,
defeated the former champion. The Abbot.
2:O3A in the fastest time ever made In a trot-
ting race Ed" Geers, the master reinsman OF
the day brought The Abbot TO the post in as
tonishing condition considering the fact that
the horse was sick a month ago. and had not
trotted a mile in his work faster than 2:11A
this year He proved TO be a better horse than
he was at any time last year, yet George h
Ketcharn's lion hearted of Robert McGregor
was great enough to beat him from the start
to the finish of the first heat in 2:O3A, and to
distance him in 2:O6A, when his check rein part
ed and he made standstill break in the second
heat Both horses covered themselves with
glory and both were wildly cheered and ap
plauded every time they appeared on the track
Though The Abbot suffered the most crushing
defeat of his career, he stands higher to-day in
the estimation Of all horsemen than he has ever
stood before Under the circumstances his per-
formance was nothing less than astounding.
What he may do later in the season, after Geers
has tuned him up 1t is hazardous to predict.
but II may be said there was not a turfman in
the crowd yesterday that does not now believe
he will beat his record, and come very close to
beating the record Of Cresceus as well. The
track was mealy, and was not by any means
fast Timed separately, The Abbot trotted it
in 2:03A, in actual contest
ESTIMATES OF THE CROWD.
Just how many persons witnessed the great
race for the championship Of the trotting turf
cannot be told It estimated that more
than fifteen thousand people were on the
grounds at $50 o'clock, when the horses were
called and something like FIVE thousand more
were perched roofs and trees and fences sur
rounding the inclosure. Admission to the
grounds was placed at 50. and reserved seats
in the grandstand cost 50 more so that the re-
ceipts of the association must have reached
sum large enough to assure big financial sue
cess for the entire meeting. 1t was an assem-
bage of which every devotee of trotting was
proud Men and women who are seldom seen
on racetrack made up the vast throng the
regulars who follow the races being merely as
a drop in the bucket. While the betting was
fast and furious throughout the afternoon
probably not one in one hundred of all those on
the grounds bought pool made a wager on
the result of the race.
Between the heats of the 100 trottine race
and the 2:1O pacing race, which came first on
the programme. Cresceus and The Abbot were
brought out together for their warming up
work Each horse received a mighty cheering
as he logged past the crowded lawn and grand
stand, but the sturdy chestnut stallion was
plainly the public favorte Mr. Ketcham had
to lift his cap continually in acknowledgment
OF the cheers and the handclapping which
greeted the record holder.
Cresceus did not move to suit the critics in
his first spin. His action behind was rough.
and he acted like horse that was sore. He
quickly warmed out of it. however and
moving with his usual freedom and ease before
the colors were downed for the start He
side check, a two minute harness, without
oreeching or breast collar, and was covered to
the knees and hooks with white felt boots
The Abbot moved he iooked-like a horse in
perfect condition. and as fresh as the morning.
Geers drove him to a new twenty-nine pound
sulky Of the same weight and make as that which
Cresceus pulled when he gained his record The
gelding wore harness of the standard type,
and rugged with knee and quarter boots
forward, and with toe boots behind His action
and appearance were so perfect that Orrin
Hickok the veteran reinsman who drove St.
Julien to the worlds record when 2:1314 was the
mark at which he aimed. expressed the belief
that Geers's horse would be the winner John
Kelly. Of Directum fame, and many other ex-
perts leaned 10 this belief but the weight of
opinion expressed by the betting was very
strongly the other way
In the auction pools Cresceus broueht 81 900
TO $500 for The Abbot Just as fast as Frank
Herdc could call the bids Nick" Hubinger
James A. Murphy and other plungers backed
| the stallion, while Tammany friends of John
J. Scannell took the bulk of the tickets sold on
the gelding.
SCORING FOR THE START
II was 1920 o'clock when George Hayt. the
presiding judge. stepped TO the front of the
stand and announced that the drivers of the two
Continued third page.
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