The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-15
Under the Wire
Nose and Nose

The Telegraph Stakes.
Track Heavy. Weather Cloudy.
Toomey QIarding up).
Prosecution benedict up).
Even money and take your pick. There
won't be no second bettin'.
They're off," Prosecution got off in the
lead by two lengths. Prosecution at the
quarter by length and a half Prosecu-
ton at the half by one length. Prosecution
Prosecution at the mile by a nose. Prosecu-
ton in the stretch, and they're nose and
nose. And the winner''-the wire busted.
Probably no sporting event in the past
ten years has attracted so much attention
from the public generally as the remark
able contest between the little Irish wonder
and the big black racer. Both have their
enthusiastic supporters, willing to back
their judgment to the limit Both are bull
dogs for endurance and courage. Both
have been winners time and again. Both
are champions in their class. The singular
thing is that they have not bet before.
XXX
In the grand stand an army of the lovers
of the sport of kings gathered to watch
the contest. The presiding judge, Whallon
calm and unruffied by the excitement
around him, Inspected and identified the
horses, placed the seal on weights, and
gave the magic word. In Toomey's stables
several good Jockeys were held in reserve
ready to take the mount should accident
happen to Harding. In Prosecutions sta
BILE jockey Holmes, a mere child, but Loyal
and enthusiastic. waited chance to get a
leg up on Prosecution. The jockeys them
selves who were chosen to pit their ex.
perience and skill against each other, are
known to all followers of the ponies. Har-
ding has few superiors in the heavyweight,
class, his grit and determination having
placed him under the wire first on many a
long shot. Benedict, a lightweight, has
still many traits of cleverness and skill
which make him a dangerous opponent fol
the heavier jock.
The horses themselves came in for the
enthusiastic admiration of the big crowd
Toomey. by Shamrock out of Sure Thing, 6
perfect specimen of the Irish-bred racer
too small. perhaps. but making up for that
in splendid nerve, was seen at once to be IL
the best Of condition, able to go the dis
tance over a lightning track or on a cours,
fetlock-deep In mud. One fact that CAV,
heart to his hackers is that the track wa.
sloppy and the weather indicating NOR,
rain. His most notable victories have beer
run in the mud AS the little horse champec
at his bits, fighting against the strong gril
Of Jockey Harding, he was cheered to th
| echo, scores in the grand stand splittin,
their gloves and swallowing tobacco II
| their mad delight When Prosecution can
| tered easily down to the starters post ther
| were renewed cheers although a few oil,
| heads noticed that the big horse looked :
| little off his feed, and whispered anon,
themselves that little "dope" would no
| do him any harm. His admirers were lie
| gion, however It was recalled by thos
| who have a taste for pedigrees that he i
| by Imp. Law out of Constitution, notabl
| stake winners in their day, although thei
| get have frequently shown tendency t
| quit when a roar went up. The mouth O
| Prosecution was little sore, 1t was oh
served-it may have been from an awkwar
| bit or the exhibition of too much strengtl
| by former boys, but he looked fit to make
| race for his life.
| A glimpse Of the great crowd was inter