CRESCEUS, 2:02»/4 



o'clock when Cresceus appeared on the quarter stretch ; 

 as the champion approached the grand stand he re- 

 ceived one continual ovation, and as Ketcham mount- 

 ed the sulky he was cheered to the echo. 



When Cresceus scored down the first time a strong 

 breeze had sprung up and this seemed to dampen the 

 ardor of the crowd, for it was feared that it would 

 interfere with the attempt. 



On the third score Ketcham nodded for the word. 

 jNIurnen, with a runner, kept on the outside and Cres- 

 ceus YV3.S trotting as steady as a clock. When the first 

 furlong was reached, however, he made a misstep 

 and the crowd gave a groan as he broke badly. He 

 steadied down again, but Ketcham checked him and 

 drove back to the wire. He was sent on his second at- 

 tempt at the first score, and he was going like the 

 wind. He reached the quarter in 13 1| seconds, the 

 same time he made at Hartford. After passing the 

 third furlong, Mr. Pennock, with another runner, 

 joined the party and this seemed to put more life into 

 the great stallion. The first half was reached at i :o2^, 

 one second and a quarter faster than the Charter Oak 

 mark. 



It was then conceded that if he met with no mishap 

 the record was at his mercy, and that The Abbot was 

 in danger of losing his laurels as well. The third quar- 

 ter was a trying ordeal, as it took him 13 1 4 seconds to 

 reach that point, which was the slowest quarter of 

 the mile. At the upper turn he seemed to falter for 



93 



