The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-15
DAN PATCHIN GREAT FORM
Worlds Champion Harness Horse
Shows Marked Improvement
Over Last Year.

M. w. Savage's grand unbeaten PAGER is
giving great exhibitions of extreme speed Ill
the east and his performances are phenomenal
when the facts are considered that he win
tered Ill Minnesota, served an extended sea-
con In the stud here. and has had less than
seventy-fve days preparation. June Nc
been within miles Of race course for SIX
months, but on Wednesday Mac" drove the
great horse mile in two minutes and one
fourth second, surely the greatest perform
ance. conditions being considered, that a
horse ever executed. AS many of the daily
journals erred in giving the time 2:0214, the
time by quarters, and also full account Of
the grand feat is given herewith, published
by the New York Telegraph's special writer
at the Empire City track. Yonhers, n. Y,
where Oar performed:
Mere than 10000 persons were at the En-
pire City track yeste1d day to see the attempt
CT Dan Patch to lower the famous Star Point
ers worlds pacing record of 1884.
The great PAGER failed to accomplish the
task mapped out for him, but he covered the
mile in 2O0A. This was considered a splen-
did performance under the conditions that
Prevailed, and there was none in the large
throng who, failed to wax enthusiastic over
the famed PAGERS great exhibition.
Under clear skies and on track that was
lightning fast the great pacing son of Joe
Patchen made his effort to reduce the worlds
pacing record. The only unfavorable condi-
ton was a light breeze. 1t may have been
sufficiently str ong to have handicapped the
trial: About o'clock M. E. McHenry drove
IuC grand morse on the track ready LOT the
gigantic task set for him. Both horse ant
driver were met with a liberal outburst Of
applause.
After several scores down, McHenry nodde:
| for. the word. and the PAGER was off on his
journey. With the runner on the outside
and one length back the quarter pole wa;
reached in 30A seconds. Leaving this poin
the speed was increased. The half-mie poll
was reached in 5SA seconds, the second quar-
ter being made in 2Sa seconds. The flee
| moving, stallion reached the three Quarte
pole in 1851. This made the time of the mid
die half-mile 5SA seconds.
Clirging close to the reil the PAGER sped OF
| to. the seven eighths pole. Here the cleve
relnsman was seen to go to work on hi
horse and from there home he helped his gal
| liant flyer all that was possible, but he coult
| not bring hin, under the wire in the tim,
| that would make him the champion. TIL
| final time was Pm.
| Nothing but praise was heard from al
sides and the Oldest horseman present counte'
| it wonderful performance. The trial shovel
! that Dan Patch is better horse this yea
than ever before and 1t is the general opinion
| that he has a royal chance to reduce tn
record next week when he makes his tra
at Brighton track. ~"
! In speaking Of the appearance of Dan Pate
| at the state fair Aug. 81 R. F. Jones, secre
tary of the Minneapolis Riding and .Drivin
| club, said: ....-@
| There Is no question that Patch is i
| great form to beat the record, and 1t is certai
| that two weeks from Monday visitors at Ham
| line will see the greatest mile ever recorde
by harness horse in the northwest y