The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-03
KETCHAM ALL BUT MoBBFD

COLUMBUS. OHIO. Aug. 2-Cresceus
champion Of the trottng turf. added
more laurels to his fame today bv trot
tiHS a mile in 2:02h reducing by half a
second his own worlds record of 2.O2a.
made at Cleveland last Friday. The FIRST
nalf was trotted in :5g%. the FIRST time
that the distance has been covered i'm
less than one minute by a trotter. The
ume by quarters was :29A 1898, l.3OI.
and 2:O2A. But for a stiff wind blowing
directly up the stretch many think
Creceus would have done the mile i'm
z.Uz or better. 1t was a brilliant as
semblage and intense enthusiasm was
manifested by the 1900 people present
The weathr at noon was unpromisine.
though cool. Tn sky was lowering and
overcast, and few drops of rain fell.
but not enough to hurt the track which
was In excellent condition About
clock the sky 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 20 to II on time against the trot-
ter. AT the track, owing to tae fierce
wind the odds against the horse in
creased to $25 to s., but the hackers OF
Cresceus were game, and took the short
end as long as pools were sold
OVATION TO THE CHAMPION.
George Ketcham appeared on the track
with Cresceus a little before 3 o'clock.
The horse and driver were royally re-
ce!ved, and Mr.. Ketcham was forced 10
lift mis- cap as they passed the stand.
The champion logged three miles slower
than three minutes, and one In 2:22 An
hour later he came out again, and after
scoring several times, stepped a mile in
2;25. At half past he worked out for
the last time In 2:15i2. lie evidently had
great power in 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 what proved
to be the greatest performance ever ac-
complishd by trotting horse
Tim Murrnen. his trainer. was ready
to accompany him with a runner, and
Dan Laho waited at tne half mile pole
to take him on from there.
On the fifth score Ketcham nodded for
the word, but Cresceus was not in his
stride and he pulled up at the first turn
TO try again. Down to the wire he rushed
once more, the runner two lengths be-
hind, and this time IT was a go. Gameiy
facing the wind the champion started on
his journey, moving with apparent case
at his greatest speed. The runner caught
him at the quarter. and tnere was sub
dued murmur OF excitement from the
crowd as the time went up. II quarter
Of a second less than thirty seconds
Now the wind was at his back and re-
alizing the advantage Kctcham kept him
at his great clip.
HEART-BREAKING CLIP.
The half-mile pole was passed In Jo4
seconds, q record never before attained.
and here the second runner took him up.
Into the far turn and around II the great
stallion thundered. his mighty muscles
and machlne-llke stride carrying him as
If on wings. The tnree-quarter pole was
reached and passed In the wonderful time
Of 1904.
Then came the supreme tcst for as
Cresccus turned into the stretch, the
wind beat him In the face and for the
fraction of n second he seemed to falter
But Ketcnam spoke 10 him and, strong
and loyal he sprang TO a great final ef-
fort
with that indomitable courage whIcn
makes him the great horse he Is, he
plunged In toward the finish with un-
weakened stride, and In spite OF weari-
ness and the bufretng of the wind.
flashed under the wire IN 2:02A winner
against time.
Enthusiasm which had been restrained
under intense excitement, broke loose as
soon as the morse 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 carried
to the Judges stand, and called on for a
speech. In n few words he expressed
mis- appreciation Of the interest taken In
the attempt, his trust I'm Ohio horses and
his confidence In his own great trotter
Crcsccus was not unduly fatgued by
his effort, and half an hour later seemed
ready FOR another mile.