A GREAT HORSE 



for place again. This statement was prophetic. How 

 true his words is shown by the after career of the 

 champion. 



The audience evidently expected fast work ; a hush 

 fell over the great gathering as the field of fast trot- 

 ters scored down for the word ; they were not disap- 

 pointed, as the race was a truly magnificent exhibition 

 in every sense of the word, and stamped Cresceus as 

 a lion-hearted giant among the trotters. In the open- 

 ing heat Tommy Britton drew the pole ; Charley Herr 

 second, Grattan Boy third, John Nolan fourth, King- 

 mond fifth, and Cresceus on the extreme outside. 

 They scored down several times before they got the 

 word with all of the horses on their stride and going 

 fast. Cresceus was going the long mile on the outside 

 of the track, up to the half ; it was Britton and Grat- 

 tan Boy fighting for the place as they rounded 

 the first turn ; in these positions they remained until 

 the three-quarters was reached, where Grattan Boy 

 had secured the lead. Down the stretch they swept, in 

 one of the hottest finishes between Cresceus and Grat- 

 tan Boy ever seen on any track. The audience was en- 

 thused ; there were cries from the stand that Grattan 

 Boy would win ; and then it was Cresceus ! Within 

 twenty-five feet of the stand Cresceus put on an extra 

 spurt of speed and landed under the wire the winner, 

 amidst the greatest enthusiasm, and the cheers of 

 the audiencCo The mile was a most remarkable one, 

 as Cresceus at no time was in better tha:i fourth 



72 



