RACEALONG 185 



give them a tap of the whip or rouse them with the 

 reins. 



Many an important race is lost or won in the 

 last few strides. A sample of this was seen at 

 Goshen in 1928 in the Review Stake. In the third 

 heat of the race Stokes let up for an instant with 

 Gaylworthy and Vic Fleming nipped him at the wire 

 with Guy Abbe. This was one of Fleming's charac- 

 teristic finishes. He came with a flash in the last 

 few^ strides just as Garrison did on the gallopers in 

 the old days when Stokes, who was making the pace 

 took it for granted that he was beaten. 



Another sample of Fleming's work was seen in 

 the deciding heat of the $25,000 pace at Windsor in 

 1928. Prior to that heat Grattan Bars was almost 

 down and out with the thumps. Fleming wanted to 

 draw him but the owner shook his head. 



When the word was given Widow Grattan went 

 off and made the pace. Fleming trailed and did not 

 force the leader to race up to her clip. He left the 

 decision to a brush and Grattan Bars when called 

 on paced the last eighth better than a two minute 

 gait. 



Head and head finishes are what the spectators en- 

 joy. It is in them the reinsmen have an opportunity 

 to show their skill and style of driving. In 1927 

 Millie W. and Wayne Hal had more of them than 

 are usually seen between the same horses. For 

 nine or ten weeks this pair carried the battle to each 

 other and while Millie W. won most of the heats 

 some of them were so close that only the judges 



