Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-26
QUEEN OF TURF.
Lou Dillon Goes Mile in
1853 IL at Memphis.
A Marvellous Feat and it Will Be a
Marvel Which Beats It.
Two Other Worlds Records Broken in
Same Meeting.

Memphis, Tenn, Oct. 25.-Lou Dill
lon owned by c. X. G. Billings of Chi
cago and driven by Willard Sanders,
Saturday afternoon, proved her right
to the title of queen of the turf by trot-
ting a mile under adverse conditions
in the remarkable time of 1.5SR. The
daughter of Sidney Dillon was paced
by a runner driven by Scott Mccoy and
another runner followed closely to urge
the mare to a supreme effort, on the
track of the Memphis Driving Club. A
strong wind from the north swept down
the long back stretch, however, and
Judge Newton announced to the specta-
tors that too much should not be eX
pected of the game little trotter.
Two other worlds records were bro
ken, Saturday afternoon. Darrell, a bay
mare by Alexander, driven by A. Nc
Donald, paced a mile in 2.00A. The
former pacing record for n mare was
held by Fanny billiard in 203A. Equity
and The Monk, from Mr.. Billings sta
BILE. We're sent mile against the 2.12A
trotting to pole record. The two horses
were driven by Mr.. Billings in faultless
style, and passed under the wire in
2.G9A. Four other interesting races
were decided.
Lou Dillon appeared on the track at
SO P. M. and, after preliminary can
ter, Sanders announced that he was
ready for the start. The two runners
were aligned in position and it was
noticed that a strip of board, cut one
yard wide, was fastened to the pace
makers sulky, directly under the seat
This. it was announced, was used to
keep the dust out of the mares face.
At the first start Sanders nodded for
the word and the flag dropped. After
going an eighth of a mile Sanders
yelled to Mccoy to drive faster and it
looked as if the mare would catch the
runner. Taking the first turn, she
reached the quarter pole in 80 seconds.
The turn for the back stretch was
now reached and many expected to see
the champion falter, because of the
wind. To the surprise of every one Lou
Dillon seemed to travel faster, and
when the half-Tile was reached the
timers slate clicked out 59hs. A great
cheer arose and many horsemen pre-
dicted that 4 new record was making.
On the far turn Mccoy was forced to
whip the runner to keep clear of the
trotting marvel. who was pushing him
closely. The three-quarters pole was
passed in 1851, and the mare had turn
ed for home.
The wind now was an advantage
rather than a detriment, and with a
superb burst of speed Lou Dillon, urged
on by the shouts of the driver of the
runners, dashed under the wire in
1881. When the time was flashed to
the spectators, hats We're flung high into
the air and cheer followed cheer. Sand
ers was literally lifted from his sulky
by an admiring throng, while Mr.. Bill
lings was showered with congratula-
lions.
1t was notable fact that the watch
es Of the three official timers agreed to
the fraction. and many horsenen stand
ing in the inlield caught the time as
officially announced to a fraction. The
timers We're Bud Doble, Fred Hartwell
of Chicago, and John Dickerson of New
York.
After the mare had been blanketed
and sent to her barn. her driver said:
Il am not a bit surprised at the result
of Lou billions effort l desire to say
that it is my candid opinion that Lou
Dillon can trot as fast as any horse in
the world can pace. and next year will
demonstrate this statement