Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-28

race horse BY Luke Blackburn. out Of
the stars of his sale.
When the day of the sale arrived among
buyers from all parts of the country that
came to Belle Meade was Samuel Bryant
of Louisville. Among the Belle Meade re,
tainers Uncle Bob the negro head
groom, and Sam Bryant were fast
friends. and no sooner had the latter ar
rived than Bob" told him all about the
white-legged Luke Blackburn colt that had
shown so we'll in the paddock romps
So Bryant resolved to go $1,000 or $500
on the colt when he was put up for sale.
and perhaps higher. He was satisfied that
the Dryers would bid on the youngster,
for his paddock form was general property
And as his fine individuality was also In
his favor he would be sure to create O great
impression when he was led into the sales
ring.
But fortune favored Bryant beyond his
expectations. The yearling sales of that
day at Belle Meade were held in big
tent pitched in a meadow just beyond the
barns To get from the barns to the sales
ring the youngsters had to cross rustic
bridge over little rivulet that ran through
the farm.
Most of the fortY-odd colts and fllies
went over the bridge quietly and sedately.
But several Of them. as soon as they felt
the planks under their feet, began TO cut
up and try to get away from their attend
ants. One of these fractions ones was the
Tallapoosa colt. Mi..I a lunge forward he
broke away from the two boys In charge
and coming to a slight declivity just beyond
the bridge stumbled and fell head over
heels.
When finally caught the Blackburn colt
was found to have bruised one of his
knees in his fall. While he did not snow
showed the effects of his tumble. So when
put up for sale the Dryers passed him up
and Bryant, after q couple of BIDS got him
for the bagatelle Of $3.50.
nlra "a
again and showed Bryant some rafting
trials that fall. Then that worthy named
him after Kentucky's well-knoWn eXecu-
tive, Proctor Knott and entered MIN lor
all the two and three-year-old stakes IN
sight He had already been engaged by
the Belle Meade stock farm in the new
stake at Coney Island. the $4,000 futurity
for two-year-olds, Bryant having assumed
that obligation when he purchased the
ycun2ster.
Proctor Knots first race in public was
a sensational affair, showing the colt to be
both tough and sturdy, one that could rise
SUPERIOR to such ups and downs as fails,
hard knocks and other rough usage that
would take the pluck out of most mature
horses LEI alone a two-year-old yet to re-
ceive his education In active racing
1t was the Belle Meade stakes at west
Side Park Nashville. that marked the oc-
casion of Proctor KNOTS turf debut. The
colt was made favorite for the race, and
while tie auction pools were being sold
track for his ante-post gallop.
Ridden by a stable boy. the big chestnut
came down the homestretch at a ripping
lace hut just passing the auction booth
soma over enthusiastic admirer shouted to
his exercise boy to pull him up and the
colt. s:al,lc1 by the noise, bolted and
Jumped the fence.
But he did not quite clear the rails. but
''straddled" them. struggling and kicking
in a manner disheartening to his owner
and every one else. There he hung for
precious minutes that seemed like hours
to his owner, until willing hands rushed
across the track and let down tho idllS,
releasing the struggling colt.
AS he walked away limpng bit. Proc
tor Knott was plainly seen to have bruised
and slightly cut the inside OF MS thlsns
and logs yhlch were bleeding In several
places and the auction selling was at once
suspended until it was settled whether the
colt would be scratched or not.
AS Bryant was leading his colt PACK TO
bic stall Secretary Gillock of the Blood
Horse Association. which was giving the
meeting. came up on the run, called to
BRYANT OF T nn B who y Was
nothing If not emphatic. surprised Giilock
with ''Scratch HI. Not much, Mr.. Secre
tary. This colt Will start. splinters and
all all
Bryant's determination drew out a gen
eral laugh, but ii looked very much like
tempting fate, to start horse heavily
engaged ahead as was Proctor Knott, when
he was cut and bleeding from his SuSpen-
sion on the track rails.
General opinion also took this view of the
situation, for from selling favorite in the
auction pools before he topped the tim
ber." Proctor Knott declined in favor. and
had receded to third choice when the sell
ing closed, with few takers. His owner,
Bryant, bought several pools on his colt.
amounting to fully as much as the stake
was worth.
With the rnulatto jockey pike" Barnes
up. Proctor Knott. bruises. cuts, "splinters"
and all, won the race frcm end to end amid
great cheering from the big CROWD. Bryant