Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-03
HORSES FRENz|ED
IN CHARIOT RACE:
DRIVER NARROWLY ESCAPES
DEATH
steeds Frightened by Cheering Throng
Dash Madly Around TracIS
Victor Crowned by
Queen

Roman chariot races were features
Of the program at Tournament park
from death were numerous. The spec
tators numbered more than 5000.
Leaning forward from his chariot
and shouting encouragement to his
horses E. T. OFF dashed down the home
stretch In the first heat of the Roman
chariot races few lengths ahead OF d.
M Linnard The thousands who oc-
cupied the stands rose as one and fairly
shook the air with their cheers as the
chariots flashed under the wire mid
the roar Of wheels and thunder of
hoofs.
The mass of people waving hats and
parasols were too much for Offs
spirited team, and they dashed on
around the track in blind terror The
nervy charioter managed to keep
them in the track and they swept by
the stand again. The spectators, not
realizing what the trouble was re-
newed their demonstration, and the
four terror stricken horses tore on
faster than before.
Off was doing his best to control
his team but his strength was going
fast, so several horsemen rode onto
the track and took up the chase of the
runaway chariot. Around the track
again they dashed but this time the
spectators turned their heads away for
it seemed that at any minute the cha
riot would be hurled against the fence,
but Off managed to keep the track.
The men on horseback could not use
their rietas for fear of endangering
Off, so men lined up ON either side of
the track and when the horses passed
for the third time their brides were
seized by strong hands and the ter
rified animals were finally quieted.
Off was nearly exhausted and had to
be helped from his chariot.
Motor Cycle Races
The motor cycle races resembled a
procession more than contests but
Bowman. Los Angeles entry, livened
things up for short time. He at
tempted to take the turns, a la Barney
Oldfield, but failed to get around the
corner. However, he went through
the fence in true Oldfield style, that is
at full speed, completely demolishing
the machine, but escaping himself
without injury.
There were two starters in the first
heat of this event, and the race they
made was hard and fast.
d. M. Linnard, of the Maryland hotel,
clad in black and orange, looked quite
romanesque, as he guided his chariot
to the wire.
years chariot race, was selected to
meet Linnard in the first heat of the
great derby.
Both men got their horses off well at
the start, and Off pulled under the
wire a winner in the remarkably fast
three-ffths seconds.
Accorded Ovation
He was accorded an enthusiastic ova-
ton by the spectators.
In the second heat of this event, Mac
Virgins, wearing tunic of red, and
P. b. Michel clad in white, furnished
the spectators with no end of excite
ment, Michel finally winning in admir-
able style.
All eyes were turned on Off and Mi
chel as they lined up for the final
heat.
Off was easily the favorite with the
spectators. in view of his past record,
while Michel was regarded as some
what of an unknown.
At Breakneck Speed
Both men drove their chariots over
the line at break neck rate of speed,
and in the most exciting race of the
day, Michel won by about two lengths,
his time being one minute, forty and
one-fifth seconds.
In the last race of the day Virgins
and Linnard contested for the honors
in the consolation race from losers.
The race proved to be the closest of
the day, and amidst the cheers of
the spectators, Virgins crossed the line
a winner by length.
The winner of the chariot race was
crowned by the queen of the tourna-
rnent as "victor of the Day." and as
reward for his skill he will receive as
a prize $1,000, while OFT takes second
and $400 in cash.
The motor cycle races resulted as
follows:
Five mile motor cycle race.-First
heat; Hoag first. Long second and
Thompson third. Time 6.54 S-5.
Second heat-Risden first, Percival
second and Eckhart third. Time
6.44 4-5.
Final heat-Hoag first, Risden second
and Percival third. Time 6.55.
Five mile handicap motor cycle race
-Risden. scratch. first: Percival
scratch, second; Eckert. one minute