The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-07
DAN PATCH FAILS } ID LOWER RECORD Gallant Pacer Goes the Mile
 in 2:04 IA
 
 WIND WAS AGAINST HIM Considering the unfavorable condi- na1.nd xka Der.
WIND WAS AGAINST HIM
Considering the UnfavorabIe condi- tions, Horsemen Regard the Per formance as Remarkable-He
 Will Try Again Next Week.

With every condition against nm, Dan Patch. 158A, yesterday afternoon paced mile in 2:O4I4, which Is within three-fourths of second of the world s mile record on half mile track. Wind, weather and track joined in preventing the great horse from making new rec ord, and only his great fighting ability and the driving of MT. McHenry enabled the horse to come so near the record. He will likely try again next week.
 The race was great test of strength and endurance, and under the existing circumstances was one of the noblest eff forts the horse has ever made. Long be- fore 1t was time to carry him on the track his driver and other horsemen predicted that he would be unable to rose to the occasion and surprised every one.
 Thrd Fastest Time.
 The time yesterday was the third fast est which has ever been made on a half mile track. Prince Alert holds the record at 2:OSHa and Dan Patch has a record of 2:04, while the latter went the mile in 2:044 yesterday afternoon.
 The time by quarters was :90Ha; 1:01M; 32Ds and 2:O44.
 With the wind blowing almost a sale down the back stretch and the upper turn and the weather too cold to allow the horse to get well warmed up, the trial against time was commenced and the result is considered a most remark able performance. The track was bad in the home stretch and was at least two seconds slower than 1t might have been.
 The cool weather put unusual snap into the running horse which paced Dan Patch, and it was impossible to hold him to his place yard or so in front of the paeer The runner would get too far ahead and thus the great horse was deprived of the little protection from the wind which might have enabled him to break the record.
 Given Warm Reception.
 Although he failed to get record, the horse and driver were given no less warm reception than if he had won It looked at one time as If the mile would be made in less than 2:O2, but the wind freshened at the wrong time and threw the horse back a couple of seconds. The crowd, however, thought record was being smashed and cheer after cheer greeted the great animal as he came down the home stretch for the first half mile.
 Rain Made Track Heavy.
 The track was carefully scraped and put in the best condition possible, but the rains had been too heavy and too recent for the track to be at it's best. As the home stretch was reached from the upper turn the track was too soft and much slower than Is necessary for record break ing time.
 About S:3O Dan Patch with MT. McHen- " Irving driving, and Cobweb, the run ner which was to set the pace, driven by Lew Banty. came on the track arni1 great applause. President A. J. Krebs, of the Alabama State Fair association introduc ed the horse and driver to the crowd and announced that everything was ready for the trial.
 Three times Driver McHenry scored the horse before he finally gave the word for the runner to come along side and set the pace. As he came down the fourth time Mayor Drennen gave the word to go and with magnificent and steady stride the great paeer set out under adverse circum- stances.
 Runner Started Alongside.
 Cobweb was kept alongside the pacer until the first turn was made, when he was sent in advance to set the pace. Up the back stretch the great pacer went mo- bly,, although the wind beat him back and it was evident he was exerting himself to the utmost At the quarter pole he was going easier, and when the time 301a sec onds was announced by the timers. the crowd cheered The first quarter was in record breaking time and 1t looked as if at least a second would be clipped from the record As the runner rounded into the home stretch for the first time the wind was favorable and the pacer came down with renewed speed, passing under the wire in 1:01A, which meant a aile in not more than 2:0S if the horse could keep it up.
 As the back stretch was reached for the second time 1t was seen that the run ner had gotten too far in advance. and no longer broke the wind, as he might have done. There was a space of at least ten feet between the rear of the runners sulky and Dams head. The pacer seemed to falter. but word from the driver and he came on again. evidently fighting