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AMERICAN MILE RECORD HOLDER. e . An Account of the Performances that Made Dick Welles Famous. "Rome" Respcss secured a bargain when he purchased that speedy son of King Eric Teas Over, Dick AVelles, for 4,500 from Keating and Decker June IS, 1002. Dick AVelles made his first start in the colors of Keating and Decker at Harlem as a two-year-old 011 June 14, and finished third to The Don and Foxy Kane in a half-mile dash on a heavy track, going lie disliked. He raced exclusively in the "purple and white" of Respess afterward, winning his first start for his new owner, a four and a half furlongs dash in 53. His next start was in the Kenwood Stakes at Washington Park, where, at odds of 1 to S, he was beaten a length by Tom Cogan on an exceptionally heavy track, the five furlongs being run in 1:0S?. Then came his victory in the Hyde Park Stakes, winning in a canter by six lengths and defeating Savahle, the to he Futurity winner and thirteen others. Again he met defeat on a heavy track at Hawthorne, being beaten by Top-soil, Gregor K.-.md Foxy Kane, horses gifted with great ability to run in mud. Dick Welles took his next two starts, both at Harlem, in a canter. His first was a five furlongs dash in which he heat Sidney C. Love and others in 1:00. He was then taken east and started in the AVhitc Plains Handicap at Morris Park, finishing third to Merry Acrobat and River Pirate. Dick AVelles led all the way and appeared a certain winner, but succumbed at the end and was beaten by two short heads. This ended his career as a two-year-old. In his second and last year on the turf Dick Welles displayed marvelous form, winning fourteen races out of fifteen starts, one a match against time, his only defeat being the Garden City Handicap at Harlem, run on a sloppy track. Starting at Latonia, he won the Brewers Exchange Handicap at three-quarters of a mile In 1:131 by four lengths in a canter, a purse race at Harlem, three-quarters of a mile in 1:13 and a purse at Washington Park at three-quarters of a mile in 1:12. His next performance was a record-breaking one. Being virtually left at the post, he came on and, finishing with a tremendous burst of speed, beat out Runnels by a nose, running the six furlongs in 1:11b. creating a new American record for the distance. After this marvelous display of speed, lie started in the Drexel Stakes at Washington Park, which he won going away from Bad News and McGee, running the mile in the remarkably fast time of 1:3S. Then came the Premier Stakes at Iawlhorne, in which he defeated McGee and other goiHl ones by four lengths. His next start and only defeat of the year was in the Garden City Handicap already mentioned. The Chicago Stakes at Harlem, were next to fall to the credit of this mighty son of King Hrie. Here he vanquished Toah, Bragg and others, winning in a canter by eight lengths. A purse race at three-quarters of a mile at Harlem was his next successful essay. In this he had as victims the fast sprinters, A. D. Gibson, Delagoa and Rag Tag. The time of the race was 1:12. Then came the sensational special race with Grand Opera at a mile over the Harlem track. Here Dick AVelles carried 112 pounds to the four-year-old, Grand Operas, 115. Dick Welles shot to the front shortly after the start and always held bis adversary safe, winning in a canter by two and a half lengths. The time of the race, 1:37s, marked a new American record, which was equalled by Kiamesha at Belmont Park October 9, 1905, the latter carrying 104 pounds. Hawthorne was the scene of his next victory, where he defeated a good field in the Speculation Stakes, winning by four lengths and running the mile in 1:40, eased up. Dick Welles scored his next victory in a purse race at one and one-eighth miles in 1:52 and showed his disinclination to go a long distance when he was put to a drive at the end to win by a half length from Postmaster Wright, Flocarline and Bondage. He won the Speed Stakes at Harlem September 2S, In a canter from Delagoa and other good ones and was then shipped to Latonia. Starting here on the first day as a 1 to 10 shot, he far outclassed his opponents and won a six furlongs dash in 1:14, in a canter by six lengths. Dick AVelles then essayed to lower his owii record at a mile, the Latonia Jockey Club offering a purse of 1,000 if he was successful. He failed in the attempt, however, running the mile in 1:3S, but eclipsed the former Latonia track record made by Batten in 1899, by one and three-quarters seconds. This was the last time the grand son of King Erie was seen under colors, afterward being sent to the stud. He was mated to eleven good marcs at J. B. Respess AVoodlawn Farm in 1005 and his progeny will be worthy of notice if they inherit any of the speed of their illustrious sire. Following is a complete record of the races and money won by Dick AVelles: Year. Age. Sts. 1st. 2d. 3d. Unp. AVon. 1002 2 10 G 1 2 1 8,S75 1003 3 15 14 0 0 1 18,490 Totals ...2 25 20 1 2 2 27,305
