CRE.SCE.US, 2:02V4 



to get a glimpse of the greatest trotter in the world, 

 were bundled up in furs and winter wraps. The at- 

 mosphere was like a day late in November, and a more 

 unsuitable day for record breaking could not have 

 been selected. Cresceus probably never started under 

 more unfavorable weather conditions. The state of 

 the weather kept thousands away from the track, where 

 the heaviest of winter clothing was necessary for com- 

 fort. Still five thousand people journeyed to the driv- 

 ing park to see the champion once more before the 

 racing season -closed. The crowd was most enthusi- 

 astic and cheered Ketcham and the great horse every 

 time they appeared on the track. Cresceus made his 

 first appearance at i :20 o'clock w^ith Ketcham in the 

 sulky ; both horse and driver were vociferously greeted 

 as he passed the stand and Ketcham lifted his cap 

 many times in response to the reception. Cresceus 

 was jogged three slow miles the wrong way of the 

 track, and was then stepped a mile in 2 :30, the last 

 half in i 114. Half an hour later he was brought out 

 again and given another mile, this time a trifle faster. 

 The quarter was reached in 33 seconds, the half in 

 I :io, the three-quarters in i 149 J, and the mile in 2 123. 

 He was driven a final warming-up mile in 2 '.24, the 

 last quarter in 32J seconds. 



While the champion was being gotten ready for the 

 trial, Ketcham waited in the shelter of the grand stand, 

 and when asked how fast he hoped to drive the cham- 

 pion he replied, between shivers, 'T shall be satisfied 



167 



