New-York tribune., 1920-06-13

to Il new worlds record for one mile
and three furlongs. Without once fal.
tering in his stride; fresh, apparently,
al the finish as at the start; at least
running his strongest through the final
sixteenth, this Man o. War horse (if he
is a horse and not locomotive) flashed
past the judges in the astounding time
OF 2:14 LIS.
The fastest time a mile and three
furlongs ever was run before was by
Dean Swift. at Liverpool, England, back
in 1908. Dean Swift's best was 2:1s S5.
Man O. War clipped two and one-ffth
seconds from that time.
Raced Over Trick Course
But Man O. War did more. A COM
parison in time cannot do justice to
Samuel c.. Riddles wonderful three
year-old colt Dean Swift performed
on racetrack, around turns, of course.
Man O. War raced on trick track.
That Is, he raced over the peculiarly
tortuous course known as the Belmont
course-a mile and three furlongs laid
out somewhat after the fashion of an
IS" curve
The finish only (something less than
q half mile) called the excellent foot
ing of the main course into play. Most
of the distance was over the training
track, which of necessity cannot be
kept so we'll as the big oval, because it
is crowded at all hours with thorough
breds in training.
Forgetting Dean Swift and his Liv-
erpool performance, which has been
tossed into the discard by the spurn-
Ing hoofs of Americas champion of
champions, one gets good idea of just
what Man o. War was able to accom-
best previous record for this particular
course. Commodore j. X. L. Ross's Sir
Barton was supposed to be a pretty
fair sort of three-year- at this time
last year. He had won the Kentucky
Derby and the Preakness. With that
master mechanic of the pigskn. John
ny Lotus, on his back year ago, Sir
in the phenomenal time of 2:1725.
Man O. War Topped just three and one
fifth seconds from Sir Barton's time.
Little Incentive for Record
There was little incentive for Man O.
War, aside from the fire of youth and
the earmarks Of class that would al
ways distinguish him among mill
ion. to show such wonderful foot as he
displayed yesterday afternoon-un-
less, perhaps, it may have been ap-
probation for the generous patronage
him perform. There was little excuse.
outside Of Man O. War, to attract
multitude of such proportions.
Aside from the memories which must
always associate with the best perform
ance the world has ever seen in any
line of endeavor, the Belmont Of 1920
would have gone down into history a
dull, drab affair. This American turf
classic, which, since its inauguration
at Jerome Park way back In the Civil
War days .of 1857 has called out the
very best three-year-ol bred in or
imported to America, could not COM
mand fitting opposition to make Man
O War realize he was out for any
thing but an afternoon canter.
Indeed George w. Loft was the only
sportsman among rival owners who
furnished show of competition for
Mr.. Riddles great chestnut. He sent
his imported Donnaconna to the post
and saved the rich classic the ignominy
of walk-over. ". r. Coe scratched
named overnight.
Perhaps never before in the history
of the American turf was such homage
paid a thoroughbred as that lavished
upon Man o. Wax from the time he
first appeared untM he had been cooled
out after his race and led back to his
stable. Ten thousand crowded around
him in the paddock, 1t seemed, while
he was being saddled for his record
breaking performance.
All Glasses Represented
All strata of society that associ-
etes with the thoroughbred sport were
there; the silk-gowned clubhouse lady
of the ultra exclusive was not abashed
to brush skirts with the shop girl for
a feeting peep at Man o. Wars classic
head, alone visible above the circle of
humanity crowded close on all sides.
Ard when the race was won and the
time hung up, so that all could seei
Such spectacle beggars description.
Scarcely ripple of excitement greet
ed Man O. Wars sturdy sprint through
the long stretch to his record breaking
achievement. There was little oppor-
tunity to cheer. Gamely as Donnacana
had tried to hang on, he was lost 80
Tar 1t looked like one horse working
out. Donnacona was more than a six
teenth OF mile from home as Man O.
War flashed across the Belmont finish.
The closely packed stand and club
house seemed to stand in wonderment
and awe as the big chestnut thundered
on toward his goal. Their ewes fol-
lowed him to the finish and slightly
beyond, paid feet glimpse at the dis
tahced contenders, and then riveted on
the time board. For from the first the
result had never been In doubt In any
ones yind, and the great question was.
will he beat the record 7''
1t vas this question Of opinion on
which most Of the wagering was done.
as Man O. War always was a prohibi
tive choice at to 90, with little or no
action. Even money was offered among
friends that he would beat Sir Bartons
record. The big doubt was whether
Donnacona would be able to keen close
enough 70 the champion to spur him to
record breaking performance.
Crowned the Champion
Al the timekeeper hung out the fateful
numbers pin could have been heard
TO drop. First 80" then 81" and
breathing itself stopped. With the frst
flash OF ~" such wild, tumuituous
roar thundered up above the handicap
ping and cheers that the thorough
bysds In their stalls Il mile away must
have heard and wondered. But when
the fraction Ni-5" was tailed on the
wild ecclaim literally raised the roof.
Nan o War had been crowned the
champion OF all champions in the
hearts Of some thirty thousand thor
oughbred admirers. History will do
the rest for him.
Nov, as TO the race itself-if II could
be called n race Iftf H..