A GREAT HORSE 



record during the Columbus Grand Circuit meeting, 

 it aroused widespread interest, and many thousands 

 journeyed to the Buckeye capital to see the great horse 

 make his assault upon the record. 



More than fifteen thousand people assembled at 

 the Driving Park on August 2, attracted by the op- 

 portunity to see the world's greatest trotter in action. 

 It was a brilliant assemblage, and intense enthusiasm 

 for the horse was manifested. It was a gathering com- 

 posed of the wealth and beauty of the grand old state, 

 and beautiful women vied with cheering men in doing 

 honor to Ohio's champion trotting race-horse. 



The weather at noon was unpromising to a degree. 

 After a week of fearful heat it turned cool on Thurs- 

 day night and a strong wind blew up from the south. 

 At noon of the eventful day the sky was lowering and 

 overcast, and a few drops of rain fell, but not enough 

 to hurt the track, which was in excellent condition. 

 About 2 o'clock the heavens cleared and the sun came 

 out warm and bright, but the wind did not decrease in 

 force. There was considerable speculation on the event, 

 and in the over-night pool selling a great deal of money 

 went into the box at odds of $25.00 to $17.00 on time 

 against the horse. At the track, just before the attempt 

 was made, owing to the fierce wind, the odds against 

 Cresceus increased to $25.00 to $8.00, but the backers 

 of the champion were game, and took the short end 

 as long as pools were sold. 



Ketcham appeared on the track with Cresceus a lit- 



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