Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1908-08-08
.HlGHBALL" IS A WONDER.
GeIding Entered i'm rIinnesOta's
$4,000 Free-for-AN Makes New
Worlds Record:

Every horseman who is coming to
the Minnesota state fair which means
about every horseman in the North
west, has been delighted in the
achievement of Highball, E. F. Geers'
star trotter, which did mile in 2:O3A
on the Peoria track. This is a
new worlds record for trotting geld
ings in race, displacing the former
record of 2:04 Ia. made by Tiberton
in 1906, and equalled Sweet Marie's
world record for such heat made in
1906. AS it was preceded by first
heat in 2:O6 IA, Highball also beat the
worlds record for a two heat race by
a gelding, 2:O5 3-4, 2:O6 IA, formerly
held (since 1902 by The Monk.
By this performance Highball, who
is one of the entries in the SO, 900 free
for.all trot, scheduled for Monday,
Aug. 81, at the Minnesota state FAIR,
becomes the most sensational trotter
since the advent of Lou Dillon.
Highball is undoubtedly king OF
trotting race geldings. Of all trottlng
heats in races the mile of Cresceus,.
in 2:O3 ID, made at Brighton Beach,
in his match against The Abbott
alone, stands ahead of Highbalfs new
record.
Everything taken into considera
ton, it was one of the most brilliant
and meritorious performances to the
credit of any trotter. First of all,
records are rarely broken in early
June; then, too, it was a second heat,
and the terrific pace of the first heat
must have tended to dull the gelding's
edge somewhat. Margaret ., 2:OS
IA, and Oro, 2:05 Ia, were HighbalFs
opponents, but, of course, the race
was conceded to the son of DIR. Hook
er. Righbau drew the pole, and as
this was his first race of the season he
was very ambitious. Because OF his
tender mouth, Mr.. Geers, rather than
double him up, let him step away very
fast the frst heat reaching the quart
er in 20 ga seconds, and this quarter
is mp grade. Easing up somewhat he
passed the half in 1:01 IA, and was at
the three quarters in 1892 1-2. Mean
time Margaret o, who is a slow be-
ginner, was trailing Gro, the pair be-
ing some behind Highball. Seeing he
had the heat won, Geers now took
the bay gelding back and let him jog
home in 2:06 1-3. Margaret o finish
ed fast and beat Oro for the place.
When it was announced that Mr..
Geers had decided to send Highban a
fast mile in the second heat, the. flag
being down, the crowd expressed
their pleasure, for already the sup
erb trotter, looking as he did, every
inch king, had won the hearts of all.
When the trio took the word they
were scoring slowly, but Highball
quickly hit his lick, again reaching
the quarter in :2s 3-4. The second he
did in 80 Ia, making the half in 1.o0
fiat. He was at the third qzlartsr pole
in 1 80 3-4, 2s01 gait, but from the
head of the stretch to the wire gradu-
ally slackened his pace. Mr.. Geers
tapped him lightly at the long. distance
stand, and while he responded mo-
mentarily he was plainly tired. He
finished the mile i'm :2:O3 3-4, the last
qnarter being in So seconds. Margaret
O's officials time, as second, was 2:03
Sd, she having passed Orc near
home. Orc had all of his speed. as
evidenced by the first half in which
he was only three or four lengths be-
hind Highball. He is however, short
of the work necessary to carry such a
clip. Margaret O's performance was
of itself deserving of the greatest
credit.
After the mile Mr.. Geers said:
''Highban could have steppeda much
faster mile had I tried in the first
heat. warmed him up several heats,
one in 2:1O before the race, and of
course the first half of the first heat
in l:01 l 4 was too much speed to ask
of horse who was to go for second |
half an hour later" 1t was regretable
that Mr.. F. G. Jones of Memphis.
owner of Highball, was not present
TO witness his splendid effort.