The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-26
WENT THE MILE IN 200
Major DeImar duplicates Lou
billions Record.

New York. Sept. 26.-Major Delmar
trotted a mile against time Friday aft
ernoon in two minutes fiat, equaling the
record of Lou Dillon. Major Delmar
and Lou Dillon are the only horses
that ever trotted in this time, and are
joint holders of the worlds record. The
$40,O 900 gelding was brought on the track
at 4:S0 O'Clock for the crucial trial of
his life. He was in perfect condition,
despite the fact that he was sent
against the record the previous day and
failed. because of an accident There
was a trifiing breege across the stretch
and the track was as smooth as a bill
lard table
Two running horses hitched to sui
kies. were provided for pacemakers.
The sulky equipped with the wind shield
was driven by George r. Spear. the
regular trainer for E. f. Smathers
Major Delmar's owner. Alta Mcdonald
drove the gelding. The first start was
made after scoring twice, but the Major
went out of his stride at the quarter
pole and was brought back On the
next break he got away faultlessly
The quarter was made in 30A sec
onds. with the gelding well in hand
Mcdonald called for more speed and
he got it. The half was covered in SO
seconds and it was seen that there
was chance that Lou Dillons record
might not only be equaled, but beaten
The three-quarters pole was reached in
l:29. the fastest time ever made by a
trotter for the distance. Here another
running horse ridden by a jockey join
ed the pacemakers and they came down
the stretch like chariot racers. There
was not a sound from the great crowd
on the stand and the lawns. The voice
of Mcdonald shouting encouragement
could be heard all over the track
Major Delmar finished faultlessly in
two minutes and the spectators knew
ii as he passed under the wire. Then
arose yell that rang through the hills
of Westchester. and as Mcdonald
slowed down and turned the painting
gelding back toward the stand. the
crowd swarmed on the track in a fury
of excitement.
The betting was to that Major Del
mar would not break the record
Notwithstanding the fact that the SEN
sational trotting gelding was billed to
go against Lou Dillon's record of two
minutes. not more than 5000 persons
were here when the horses started the
first race.
With the exception of a fairly strong
wind that swept directly across the
track, the weather conditions were
perfect for a record breaking perform
ance.
Mr.. c. c. Christie. who is a personal
friend of Mr.. Smathers, the owner of
Major Delmar, says that the fact that
Major Delmar trotted a mile in two
minutes was not unexpected. Mr.. Chris
tie probably knows as much about the
Major as Mr.. Smathers. He witnessed
majority of his best races last season
on the Grand circuit
Il think that Major Delmar is the
greatest trotter in the world" said Mr.
Christie last night He started the sea-
son last year with mark of 2:17 and
wound up with mark of POS. This is
a record in itself Not only did he make
fast time. but he also finished the season
the largest winner on the Grand circuit.
Now that he has trotted a mile in two
minutes I would not be surprised to
see him beat that mark
Mr.. Christie said that Mr.. Smathers
purchased Major Demar for the sole
purpose of starting him in the Gold Cup
at Memphis This is an event for gem
tlemen drivers. 1t is expected that Lou
Dillon will start in this event.