Col. M. J. Winn Tells Of Match Race.: When Mollie McCarthy and Ten Broeck Met at Churchill Downs in 1878., Daily Racing Form, 1917-04-25

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COL. M. J. WINN TELLS OF MATCH RACE. When Molhe McCarthy and Ten Brocck Met at Churchill Downs in 1878. During a recent visit of Col. M. J. Winn of Louisville to New York, lie was asked alioiit tlie great match race between Mollie McCarthy and Ten Broeck. wliieli lie saw at Churchill Downs on July 4. 1878. At that time Mr. Winn was hut a boy. .mil was taken to the course in a family party by bis fattier. Colonel Winn gave a description df the big match race, which was taken from the scale Ixiok of the club. The remarks taken from this old beak are given here as follows: "The weather for the last few days had been wet and thundering, but the glorious Fourth of July broke witli a cloudless sky, the sun beaming down with the greatest intensity. For the past few days the hotels and every available space in the city had been filled to repletion witli strangers and visitors from all parts of the country. North, south, east and west, wiio were attracted by the prospect of a glorious and memorable contest between these two celebrated horses. By 6 oclock in the morning the crowds began to move to the grounds of the association, and at 11 oclock every available space was filled with people. They went in all manner and sorts of ways — on foot, in carts, wagons, omnibuses, stages, carriages, on horseback, by mil and in the street cars — and by the hour for calling the first race at least thirty thousand people had assembled upon the grounds. The grandstand was literally filled with beautiful women, and such an array of beauty as was exhibited upon this occasion is seldom witnessed upon a race track. "Mollie McCarthy drew the track, and when the drum tapped she darted away in the lead and was a half-length in front at the quarter. Going down the bickstretch Ten Broeck lapped her, and the pair raced head and head past the half mile post. On the lower turn she again showed a length in front, which she held at the tlirco-«ju:irtors. Coming up the stretch, lie made play, the mare carrying him wide on the far turn, and at the stand led Ten Hroeck, the latter sticking to his work like a plaster. Mollie Appeared to Have the Speed. "On the near turn and at the quarter pole it was the same, she appearing to have the speed and he • hiving. She held her lead down the backstretch and past the half and three quarter posts. Catering the homestretch, he made another run. and she was now fully extended and led him a half length to the stand. Going into the third mile, and just as they reached the quarter post. Ten Ric-ck was at her head and. before reaching the half mile post, had her beat and led by two lengths. "Mollie from this M int was badly beaten, and the remainder of the race was nothing but a slow gallop for Ten Hroeck. she coming to a stands! ill when three miles and three-quarters had been run. She was so tired and thoroughly punished that her jockey never retuned to scale until fully half an hour after the termination of the heat. Both were in such condition from tin- effects of the terrible beat and the heavy condition of that track that neither could have started for another heat. The excitement among the Kentucky people over the victory of their favorite was immense and would be impossible to describe. The quarter was run in 2*. the half in .14 i, three-quarters in 1 :i:l , . mile in 1:49*4, mile and a quarter in 2:19%. mile and a half in 2:47. mile and three-quarters in 3:11 : ,. two miles in :i :."•." , . two miles mid a •Miter in 4:11%, two miles and a half in 4:4... two miles and three-quarters in and:1S%, three miles in ,1:.13, three miles and a quarter in 0:29:i. three miles and a hall" in 7:00. three miles and three-quarters in 7:37%. and four miles in s:l!v4." Bill Walker, who rode Ten Brocck in this and other races, is living in Louisville. He is attached to the .1. K. Madden stable ai the Downs. It is wortny of note tiiat Ten Breed; was a ■tatter in the first Kentucky Derby. 1*7.1. He was an also ran. Walker rode Ten Broeck in the spring of 1S77 in a special race against tine. IV distance was two miles, and Ten Broeck was sent out to reduce the then best time of 3:32._. for the distance. lie succeed. -.1 in running the two miles in 1:2?%. Baring the 1S7«; fall meeting a speeial race was provided for Jen Broeck to beat 7:19%. the best prevailing time for four miles. His only opponent was Add. which be easily defeated and reduced the time to 7:1S%. Walker also rode him in this race.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1917042501/drf1917042501_3_7
Local Identifier: drf1917042501_3_7
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800