A GREAT HORSE 



so full of trot that those who had harbored doubts as to 

 his ability joined the thousands of his admirers in 

 cheer after cheer that came as a tribute to honest merit 

 and successful endeavor. 



Rain, which fell in torrents on Thursday night, 

 necessitated a long delay before the day's sport could 

 be inaugurated. When the first race was called the 

 course was just getting into passable condition. 



The fast pacers found the far side wearing on the 

 muscles, and the trotters, later in the day, even when 

 their fights were the hottest, covered the second quar- 

 ter in comparatively slow time. 



The course was soft and wet in many places, espe- 

 cially on the back stretch, and the time made in the 

 other races showed it was not at its best. Before the 

 start was made, Starting- judge Barnard made a state- 

 ment to the audience, announcing the track was not 

 in the best of condition. "If the record is not broken," 

 he said, "Cresceus will give a creditable performance, 

 but it will not be his fault if the record is not lowered." 

 The statement caused a murmur among the ten thou- 

 sand spectators, who had remained all afternoon wait- 

 ing for this event. There were many conjectures made, 

 and prominent horsemen at the meeting stated that 

 Cresceus would have to be a wonder to beat the record 

 on such a track. This was heard on all sides, and many 

 wagers were made at odds that the record would not 

 be broken. 



There was not a breath of wind on the home-stretch, 



no 



