Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-03
2:O2 IA, BY CRESCEUS,
A NEW WORLDS RECORD.
THE FAMOUS TRoTrING STALLION
LOWERS ms OWN MARK or
ONE WEEK AGO.
AGED A ERCE WIND
nut WON Hts RACE AGAINST TIME
IN GALLANT FASHION III
SPITE OE m.


ceus. champion OF the trottlng turf,
added more laurels to his fame to-day,
by trotting mile in 2;02h. reducing
by half second his week-old record
of 2:02N made III Cleveland last
Friday.
The first half was trotted In 59s4, the
first time that the distance has been
covered In less than one minute by
trotter.
The time by quarters was :29&
| 59A: 1:30A. and 2:02h.
Only stiif wind blowing directly up
| the stretch kept Cresceus from step
| ping faster than 200.
More than 10000 people journeyed to
driving park to see the great trotter
| in action. 1t was brilliant assem-
blage. and intense enthusiasm for the
horse was manifested. the weather at
| noon was unpromising. The sky was
lowering and overcast, and a few drops
| of rain fell, but not enough TO hurt the
| track, which was in excellent condition,
or to keep the crowd away. About 2
| o'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, great
| deal Of money wente into the box at
| odds OF $25 to SIT on time against the
| trotter. At the track, owing to the
| fierce wind, the odds against the horse
increased to $25 to IS, but the hackers
| OF Cresceus were game, and took the
| short end as long as pools were sold.
| George Ketcham appeared on the
| track with Cresceus a little before 3
o'clock. The horse and driver
| Were Royalty Received
| and Mr.. Ketcham 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, he came out again. and
| after scoring several times, stepped u
| mile in 2:25. Still later he worked out
for the last time in 2:15h. He evil
| IDENTIFY had great power in reserve. and
| the vast throng awaited patiently for
| the great test
1t was evident that the wind would
| not decrease before dark, and at $40
O'Clock the stallion was brought out for
| the last time
Tim Murrnen, his trainer. was ready
| to accompany him with runner. and
Dan Laho waited at the half mile pole
to take him on from there.
On the fifth score, hetcham nodded
for the word, but Cresceus was not In
his stride and he puned up at the first
turn to try 1t again. Down to the wire
he rushed, the runner two lengths be-
hind and this time 1t was go.
Gamely facing the breeze the cham
pion started on his journey, moving
with apparent ease, and at his greatest
speed. The runner caught him at the
quarter, and sigh went up from the
breathless throng as the time went up,
a quarter of second less than thirty.
Now the wind was his back and real
izing the advantage Ketcham kept MIN
at his great clip. The half mile pole
Was Passing in 30 3D. Seconds,
n record never before attained, and
here the second runner caught him up.
Into the far turn and around 1t the
great stallion rushed. The three-quar-
ter pole was reached in 1:30%.
Then came the great trial, for as
Crasceus turned into the stretch the bit
ter wind beat him In the face and held
him back by its force. For the frac-
ton of a second he seemed to falter, but
his drivers voice encouraged him and
on he came.
With indomitable courage he plunged
I'm toward the finish with unweakened
stride. and in spite of WEAKNESS and
the buffeting of the breeze, he flashed
under the wire winn0' against time.
But for the wind. 1t is believed his
time would have been a second faster.
II was the most wonderful mile ever
trotted on any track.
Enthusiasm broke loose as soon as
the horse had passed the wire. me
crowd rushed onto the track to greet
the champion, and a huge wreath or
flowers was hung around his neck. Mr..
Ketcham. owner and driver, was car
ried to the Judges stand and called on
for speech. In few words, he ex-
pressed his appreciation of the interest
taken in the attempt, his trust in Ohio
horses and his confidence in his own
great trotter. Cresceus was not I'M
duly fatigued by his effort, and half an
hour later seemed ready for another
mile.
Cresceus's successful trial
C1oxed the Grand Circuit Meeting.
The undefeated gelding. Harold II, an
almost prohibitive favorite, won the
2:11 pace in straight heats. He vas
never headed and finished each heat
nulled almost to a walk and lengths
ahead Of his field. The first two heats
were paced within quarter OF sec
ond of his record, z:08. He would
have paced a full second faster, IL
there had been another horse in the
race able to push him. Major Marshall
showed a better form than any OF the
other starters and TOOK second money
The 2:18 pace was more closely con-
tested. John r. Potts was the favorite
at SIS to $3S for the field n six. He
won the first heat easily AMI the sec
ond by a nose i'll hard drive from
Captain Potter This heat finished
Potts chances and he just saved his
distance thereafter. Captain Potter
won the third heat, but he also fell
away, and C. F.. w. took the next three
heats and the race, pacing. the fourth
heat in 2:10H Notwithstanding that
tne fields have been somewhat below
the average in number. the racing has
been OF high quality all through the
week, and the meeting the most sue
romfsuueA ~ Efwhth PAGE.