Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-08-09
TRULY A TURF KING.
Cresceus Goes Mile in 2,O2 Ia,
Breaking the Worlds Uecord
Held by Himself.


Columbus, o., Aug. 3. - Cresceus,
champion of the trotting turf, added
more laurels to his fame Friday, by
trotting mile in 2:02A, reducing by
half second his week-old record of
2:02%, made at Cleveland last Friday.
The first half was trotted in 5oA the
first time that the distance has been
covered in less than one minute by
trotter. The time by quarters was
29%, 59%, 1907 and 2:o2A. Only
stiff wind blowing directly up the
stretch kept him from stepping faster
than 2:02. More than 10000 people
iourneyed to the driving park, at
tracted to see the greatest trotter
ever foaled in action.
In the overnight pool selling, great
deal of money went into the box at
odds of $25 to S17 on time against the
trotter. At the track, owing to the
fierce wind, the odds against the horse
increased to S25 to IS, but the hackers
of Cresceus were game, and took the
short end as long IS pools were sold.
George Ketcham appeared on the
| track with Cresceus little before
three o'clock. The horse and driver
were royalty received, and Mr.. Ketch-
am was forced to lift his cap as they
passed the stand. The champion
| logged three miles slower than three
minutes, and one in 2:22. An hour
later, as he came out again, and after
scoring several times, stepped a mile
in 2:25. At half past four he worked
out for the last time in 2:15k. He evil
IDENTIFY had great power in reserve,
and the vast throng waited patiently
for the great test. 1t was evident
| that the wind would not decrease be-
fore dark, and at $40 the stallion was
brought out for the last go. Tim
Murrnen. his trainer, was ready to ac-
company him with runner, and Dan
Laho waited at the half-mile pole to
take him on from there.
| On the fifth score Ketcham nodded
for the word, but Cresceus was not in
turn to try it again. Down to the
wire he rushed. the runner two lengths
behind, and this time it was go.
Gamely facing the breeze, the cham
pion started on his journey, moving
with apparent ease and at his great
est speed The runner caught him at
the quarter. and sigh went up from
the breathless throng, as the time
went up, quarter of second less
than 30 Now the wind was a 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
ere the second runner caught him up.
Into the far turn and around it, the
great stallion thundered, his mighty
muscles and machine-like stride carry
! ing him as if on wings. The three
| quarter pole was reached and passed
in the wonderful time of 1907.
Then came the great trial, for as
Cresceus turned into the stretch, the
/ bitter wind beat him in the face and
held him back by force. For the frac-
ton of second he seemed to falter,
but his drivers voice was in his ears,
and on he came. With that indomita-
/ bic courage which makes him what
he is, he plunged in toward the finish
with unweakened stride, and, in spite
of WEAKNESS and the buffeting of the
! breeze, flashed under the wire win
ner against time. But for the wind
against which Cresceus struggled, it
; is believed that his time would have
been a second faster. 1t was the
most wonderful mile ever trotted on
any track.
| Enthusiasm broke loose is soon as
the horse had passed the wire. The
crowd rushed on the track to greet
the champion, and a huge wreath of
/ flowers was hung around his neck. Mr..
! Ketcham. owner and driver, was car
ried to 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 in his
own great trotter. Cresceus was not
| unduly fatigued by his effort. and half
an hour later seemed ready for another
mile.
|