Year: 1879

WINNER.


from the Rocky Mountain News, Jan. 3O.l


The event of the past month in sporting circles
was the mile dash which took place at the Ford park
track yesterday afternoon between Molle Merrill
an Illinois racer, and Maria Gray, well known on
the Colorado turf the winner of all the big purses
in running races for the past two After
beating Ranchman during the state fair last fall
Maria Gray taken down to Pueblo by her
owner. Hon. j. N Carlle. and it announced that
the big gray had made her last appearance on tho
track and would be utilized for breeding purposes
altogether hereafter. But General Rowett who had
brought excellent stock out to this State from his
farm in Illinois, expressed desire to match little
mare he had against the big gray. and after some
hesitation Carlisle consented and the terms
ranged, purse of $4,000 put up and the an
nounced for some time the weather would
permit, after January 18. Some weeks ago the
horses brought up here and began training for
the dash. Owing to the severity OF the weather the
event had to be postponed two three times but
the track finally got in condition suitable
enough to the owners OF the horses and the day
was fixed upon. The big gray entered with
Eastern record of 1:47 and one of :4s made here
last fall. 1t known that Rowetts mare had
record OF 49, SO that after allowing the difference
Colorado track. the horses were considered very
evenly matched. The attendance was larger than
had been anticipated and by two O'Clock there
upward OF six hundred people on the ground, NOV
ing about in the to keep warm and trying to find
a dry spot in the damp, frozen ground. The track
was d trihe rough and was regarded heavy. Pre-
vous calling up the horses Mollie Merrill ruled
the favorite ut the pools. bringing an average Of
$40 to So for the big gray. The hackers OF
the latter were not wanting. however, and the
bidding both sides was spirited and was
continued even after the horses had been
brought on the track. The gray when stripped
showed up in prime condition and looked as fresh
and powerful as she has at any time. The Illinois
mare comes OF the Longfelow stock, is of medium
height well shaped but with rather small limbs, and
quick. easy movement. She travels from the very
start. and shown yesterday. is better in the
first part of q race than on the homestretch. The
gray is just the contrary She begins her mile
in gait and is not let out until naIf of it is
travelled Her pace is very steady and her stride tre
mendous. Both horses were sent away at the
second score the gray having the pole. and securing
she had been brought down to steady gait. The
advantage only temporary, however, tor the lit
tie mare shot ahead and had the pole at the turn.
She WAS held down to an excellent gait and ut the
quarter led by two lengths. The mare pushed
steadily behind and appeared to be making effort
tor the until the hali-mile was reached Here
her jockey seemed to givo her the rein tor with rapid
strides she closed the gap and for the next quarter
the horses were side by sdc running for all that was
out The friends OF the gray began to cheer Justify,
however, for they seemed positive that their horse
would show her metal on the homestretch-snd
of Merrill began to ply the whip furi-
ously,. while the, gray was not being urged
mcnced gaining. and when within a few yards of the
wire the distance increased under liberal appli
cation of the whip. The result was victory for the
gray mare, who came in under the wire about three
lengths ahead. The time announced at 1:t9,
though it is presumed TO have been half second
more than that. The result of the created
great deal of enthusiasm among the Southern men.
OF whom there large numbers present. They
pulled Jim Care around in every way. SHOOK hands
with the trainer. and threw up their hats and cheered
and yelled. For single mile dash IL OF the
most exciting that has taken place the turf
here in many years. The pools heavy. though
not as good they would have been had the hackers
of the gray mare shown more courage IN investing