view raw text
1 HOW ETH ELBERT WON. Jean Ber and was the first out for his preliminary gallop. He was given a breather tha: showed him to be possessed of his old burst or speed, and he came back with his wind eve!* and his eyes glistening. Ethelbert, however, was like a wild horse. He flew by the grand stand in a manner that made many think Mahe had lost control of him. Returned to the paddock he showed hardly a hair dampened by perspiration. He was as hard as nails, fitted tc the acme of perfection. After being sponged off the two thoroughbreds together trotted out on to the track again. As they cantered past the grandstand on the way to the post a clapping of hands greeted tbem that sounded not unlike a volley of rifle shots, beginning at one end of the stand and ending at the other, to be taken up by the thousands in the so-called free field. The applause was for both horses. Each was a favorite, If the demonstration when the racers appeared was noisy and enthusiastic, it was pandemonium when, a few minutes later the announcement was made that they were off. Together the two splendid pieces of horse flesh came flying down the track between crowds that lined the fences on both sides. They were-maintaining a terrific pace as they tore past tha judges stand and were running as a team, .k was stride for stride, with no advantage, except that Ethelbert had that shade which belongs U the horse that runs on the rail. Watches were without reason doubted, because they showed the first quarter in 23% seconds. Then when the half-mile post was reached in forty-eight seconds, old horsemen said it was the race of the century. Neither thoroughbred had as yet displayed ■ signal of distress, and they were running witL their muzzles on a line when the three-quarters was reached in 1 minute 13 2-5 seconds. Jean Beraud kept on to the end si the nex: furlong, and then announced to his jockey tha: he had had enough, thanking him very kindly , Seven furlongs in 1 :26?B was enough of a race u satisfy any thoroughbred, but it was only i warming up gallop for Ethelbert. Maher leaned forward a bit further and th* game son of Eothen shot forward so rapidly tha:-. many thought Jean Beraud had broken, dawn But it was not so, Jean Beraud was all right only Ethelbert had decided to part companv with him. On came the bay colt, carrying his imp«Bt o: 126 pounds as though it were a feather b weight. He made the run in lrlls, and was then running alone and at his own pace. He came home many lengths ahead of the tired Jean Beraud. At the finish— and it is literally true— Inbreathing was so even that it would not have disturbed the flame of a candle held six inche? from his nostrils. It was a superb effort. ! As the horses swung [into the stretch and i: was seen thatJEthelbert was a certain and an easy winnerJMr. Whitney turned to Mr. Be! mont, and said : "I congratulate. Mr. Belmont, on owning th~ best horse llhavelever seen. 1 believe he is the horse of the ceutury." Accepting Mr. Whitneys congratulations, Mr, Belmont said that he believed the complime.-was deserved by Ethelbert. which, he, addea" ofhhlr58 m°re than h:l*been Pecte i As the winner trotted back to the judge stand there was a wild rush of spectators, me-and women, who wished to get a closer view of the handsome colt As . stable boy caught hi, bridle rem Ethelbert pawed the dusty track and bowed again and again at his admirer* There were those who were convinced that he understood it all and was really making a" knosvledgement of the ovation which was his.--ew lork Herald.
