The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-18
'RAILbIRD' HAS
THRILLING Day
At FAIR TRACK

By ~RAHBIm..

The second afternoons program
OF races ct the Missfssippi Valley
F&ar and Exposition far excelled
the FIRST days Offering in the way
OF thrills. The nrst day was given
over to colts and lilies. who were
Just receiving their education, pre-
paratory to going down the circuit
next year and doing big things for
their owners, hut Tuesdays card
was made up OF older horses, NOW
In condition to compete with the
best in the racing game.
Vaudeville Stunts.
Secretary Bacon has secured the
very best vaudeville acts obtain
able to entertain the crowds be-
tween heats Of the races. A large
platform has been built directly in
front Of the grandstand. affording
everyone . good view Of the acts.
The black mule, Ebenezer, proved
q great hit with the children and
their elders alike. As an added at
traction, the prize-winning six
horse team of the Wilson Packing
company appear on the track each
afternoon and are put through
their PAGES by their driver. This
team was one Of the ribbon win
ners at the International stock
show in Chicago last year.
Shawnee Wins Tret
Shawnee, driven BY Hammie Al
len, had things all his own way in
the at" trot, but was forced to
step fast clip all through the mile
by Mightellion in each heat.
George Erwin. driving Mightel-
lion. made q desperate effort in the
second and third heats to out-step
Shawnee through the stretch, but
was unable to lead the bay geld
ing.
Lady Pine drew up lame at the
finish Of the first heat and was
drawn from the race. She looked
very promising in the first heat and
undoubtedly would have given the
winner a hot battle had she have
been in condition to finish the race
Hal Conner Beats John r.
Hammie Allen tried hard to re-
peat in the FIX pace and win two
firsts in the afternoons program
but John r. seemed to tire aftel
the first two heats and was forced
to take second money. In the frs,
heat. Hal Conner went a very easy
mile, finishing second. 1t seemed
he was only exercising and mo-
trying to win. In the second b,
pulled out at the head Of tn
stretch and raced neck and necl
with John r. to the wire, but wal
unable to finish out ahead. In TIL
third heat, Hal got away to q fly
ing start, grabbing the pole from
John r. at the first turn and wa.
never headed. Sam tombstone triet
hard to get P. X. up in the thirt
heat, but the Conner horse had to-
much speed.
Mr.. tombstone is q Rock Islant
county product, having been borl
and raised at Edgington, and man.
Of his Rock Island friends wer'
there pulling for him to drive /,
winner. John r. laid up in tn
fourth heat and 1t was expected
he would make hard try for tn
! final and deciding heat of the race
but he seemed to have tired AM
Hal Conner won by himself II
slow time.
Distances the Fieid.
But for the generosity Of ]. n
Bottiger Of Davenport, owner O
The Consequence, the "25" 'tru
would have been a one-heat affair
The Bottiger horse trotted q per
feet first heat and succeeded Il
distancing the entire field Of ST
other starters. Under the ruler
Mr.. Bottiger would win the entir
purse, but announced to the Judge
that he would be satisfied to dra,
his horse and take first money an
allow the other horses to compel
for, the remainder Of the purse in
c0nsolation race.
D
Last Race a Thriller.
The last race on the progral
was a mile run with three horse
entered. 1t seems it would be In
possible to match three horses tbs
1could run q more perfect race tina
this. Plunger got away at the pol
and held it the entire distanc
DR.. Samuel beating her by inche
at the wire. At any time durin
the whole mile the three horsf
could have been covered by on
blanket, SO closely were they ruI
ming.
The Summary.
First race-2:17 trot; purse 81
J or.
Shawnee. b. g., by Azon III.
Allen ..................1 l.
Mightellion, Oh. h., by Tod
| Allerton (Ervin) ........2 3
Vanity IL nv Mittv Onward