Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1909-05-28
BLACK HORSE WON
An Exciting Running Race
Monday Morning.
st. Augustine Horse Defeated Fort
Pierce Mare by Half a Length.
Large Crowd Present.

NNNNhN0y HAbOAhOOh POoVPOllCu uh |
til Monday at 1880 o'clock, on account
of rain, which was disappointment to
many who had come for miles to wit
ness the test of speed between these
noted racers.
Monday morning opened up bright
and balmy and the "horse TALK of the
week before was renewed with an earn
estness that made a stranger feel as II
he was tuthe center OF the blue grass
regions Of Kentucky. Not only was
there plenty of talk but plenty Of ''stuff"
to back up the talk, and it seemed as II
some one "had flea 10 his ear"
Bye oclock the winding and muddy
road leading to the racing ground was
we'll filled with foot-passengers, horse
back riders people in buggies. phe.
tons, wagons. one auto-buggy and on
bicycles vending their way through
the aatwoods TO the one objective spot
about three and a-half miles southwest
Of town where the palmetto roots had
been grubbed out Of two paths, about
half mile long each, running side by
side. On the ground representative
crowd of st. Lucy county citizens were
to he seen 70 the number Of 400 ormore
including brethren Of every faith, la
dies, young girls. children of all ages,
negro men and women in large numbers.
The white men prsdomlnated and
the sporting element with their
fingers full of bills we're very much In
evidence, giving The scene real
"derby day" appearance.
Tho Carlton, mar &thel Rarr5. was
the first Of the racers to arrive on the
ground and was the observed of all OBJ
servers while being groomed and
dressed up for the fray. Miss Ethel
listened to the many compliments pass
ed In an Indifferent manner, her spirits
were not as high nor eyes so bright as
at other times, in fact she did not act
as if she had her mind on racing,
although in trim condition.
At about 1920 o'clock wagon drawn
by a large gray mule, loaded with men
and a small chunk of a boy wearing
black and yellow striped coat and cap,
a quiet black horse following close be-
hind. was seen in the distance through
the pines aud headed toward the gath
ering. Crowds rushed to meet them
and the instant the old mule stopped
the wagon and the horse were sur
rounded by an admitting crowd OF men,
bows and girls, the men admiring the
beautiful horse and the girls the jock
ey in the striped suit.
The horse was rubbed down, his nos
trils sponged, mouth washed out witt
81. w. Harper" saddled quickly ano
announced as ready.
without any hitch or wrangling the
starter and three judges were selected
the understanding being that the ais
tance to be run was 600 yards and the
horse arriving at the post first was t.
be awarded the ''pot."
AT 1870 the horses were sent to tn
starting post and the crowd scattered
far the most available places, some
climbing trees, others standing on bug
oies and wagons and everybody (especl
allv those who had backed their ludg
ment) wrought up to the highest pitch
1.-THE starting post was 10 full view am
Il was seen that the horses we're sen
away the first time up. Dandy NJ go
a head the start but the mare soon TOO
the lead and kept it, under the wnlp
20 within 100 yards Of the post whentn
little lock gave Dandy M. his head
toucbed with the spurs and he sho
head with whirlwlnd speed, winnini
the race by seven feet and the applaus
Of numerous admirers
Il was noticed on the return trip ina
the colored population was exceedingl
iubilapt while some Of the KNOWN
ones, among the whites didn't know q
much as they thought they did an
consequently felt 'stung"
r. was a good race. nicely conducted
,s..n..ato,, ard axCitin