The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-09
Turf Notes

The passing Of Michael F. Dryer,
the noted turfman and plunger, re-
calls to mind one of the most import
ant as we'll as exciting turf events In
the history of Sheepshead Bay race
track. Upon the result of this con-
test the daring gambler had staked
a fortune of 100000 to win the small
sum of $4,000; in other words, he was
giving 10 to ! that his horse would
finish first.
The race was run in the summer Of
1856 at the track by the ocean, and
was stake event of one mile and
three-sixteenths
Among the entries was the old CAM
paigner. Joe Cotton. owned by the
noted gambler, and the fleet-footed
mare Binnette, fresh from the middle
west, where she had conquered all of
her competitors. MIR. Dryer was the
official timer for the day and occupied
a seat in the judges stand.
The race developed into one of the
most thrilling finishes. Joe Cotton
had for his pilot the peerless rider
OF his time, Jimmy Mclaughlin, and
upon Binnette rode the crack light.
weight, Tiny Williams.
The start was made but short dis
lance above the grand stand, as the
Sheepshead Bay course is one mile
and IN eighth, which would bring the
three-sixteenths' pole very nearly op-
posite the stand.
Mclaughlin got away with rush,
as was his custom, coming up from
behind the bunch as Caldwell dropped
the flag. The fleet-footed mare from
the west, not to be outdone, was soon
at the side of the old campaigner, and
as they passed the grand stand the two
contenders were nose and nose.
In going around the first turn the
western mare was length to the
good, and as they Strengthened out for
the run up the backstretch she fairly
flew away from the favorite, making
the first half-mile in 48 seconds, with
her head up in the air and mouth
open.
Cotton by this time was a miserable
last. being something like eight or
nine lengths behind Binnette and sulk-
ing badly.
From the spectators point of view
the old horse looked as If he would
finish dead last. Mclaughlin now
went to work upon the old rogue, and
every time he landed on his ribs with
the whip the chestnut horse respond
ed.
At the five-eighths pole Binnette
was still flying and Mclaughlin whip
ping in an effort to get the old horse
going right. Slowly bet surely Cotton
was closing the daylight between the
light-weighted leader and himself. and
at the three-quarter pole, which the
mare passed in IA fiat, the old fell
low was about two lengths to the bad.
Around the far turn they flew, the
mare still showing DAYLIGHT between
herself and Cotton, who was by this
time in second place. Mclaughlin
was still at work When the two
leaders turned into the stretch for
the home run Williams was son to
make move on the mare, who was
beginning to tire badly, and McLaugh-
lin was showing his teeth and riding
as he had never ridden before.
An eighth of mile from the wire
and still the mare was half length
to the good. and both jockeys were do
ing their best, in race the result of
which both owners and jockeys had
much at stake. Within a few feet of
the finish Mclaughlin, with a great
effort. lifted his firing horses head,
and as they flashed under the wire he
landed him a winner by the shortes,
possible head.
Mr.. Dryer, who had staked so much
to win SO little on the result, simply
remarked that the old horse had brok-
en- the record, making the one mile
and three-sixteenths in 2:OOK.
This record stood for many years.