view raw text
HANOVERS GREAT RECORD His Wonderful Performances as a Three -Year-Old. Victorious In Twenty Races at That Age, Meeting and Defeating the Best at All Distances, t BY SALVATOR. Second Article. Hindoos feat of winning eighteen races in succession in his three-year-old form has never been equaled in this country or England and in this respect he occupies a "place apart." Like Luke Blackburn, he was purchased by the Dwyer Bros, in the fall of his two-year-old form, but unlike Blackburn, he had been the best two-year-old colt of his year, winning seven out of nine races in which he started and being once second and once third. There was this similarity between his two and three-year-old careers, that, unlike Blackburn, he was unable to hold his form to the seasons end, losing at two and again at three, his last two starts. A western colt, as in Blackburns case, Hindoo was ineligible to some of the richest of the eastern three-year-old stakes. He raced, however, in far fewer purse events than Blackburn and far seldomer in all-aged company. He won the same two "classics" as Blackburn, the Tidal and Ken-ner Stakes ; but in addition registered his name on the roster of Kentucky Derby winners, and of those of the Travers Stakes as well, two other fixtures still existent. As showing the difference between "then and now," Hindoos Kentucky Derby was worth but ,410 to him, whereas this year it netted Morvich 6,775, plus a gold cup, or considerably over ten times "as much! Crickmore, which conquered Hindoo in the latters two three-year-old defeats, after having beaten him once as a two-year-old and run second four times to him at three, was a superb racer, one of the greatest geldings that America has produced, and far exceeded any three-year-old rival of Luke Blackburn, with the exception of Fonso, which beat Blackburn in the Phoenix Hotel Stakes at Lexington in his first start of that season. The richest stake won by Hindoo was the Lorillard, which netted him ,175. Luke Blackburn injured himself in winning his last three-year-old race, the Great American Stallion Stakes, at Louisville. In his four-year-old form he won a purse race of little importance in his first essay, but was palpably not "right," and then, in the race for the Coney Island Cup, broke down and disappeared from the turf forever. Hindoo, as a four-year-old, lost his first race, the Dixiana Stakes at Louisville, to Checkmate a gelding again his nemesis!, then won five magnificent victories, closing with the Coney Island Cup, the same event in which Blackburn met his Waterloo. Hindoo went to the stud in 1883 and one of his first crop of foals was the third of our great trio of three-year-old Avinners : HANOVER, 1887. Gravescnd, liny 17. Carlton Stakes, threc-year-olds, 1 mile. Ilauover. 118 pounds, won, beating the Julietta colt, 108 pounds; Duubiue, 108 pounds; Valiant, 10S pounds; Alcalde, 108 pounds, and Racquet, 112 pounds. Time, l:43Vi. Won by a length. No betting. Gravescnd, May 20. Hrookdale Handicap, all ages, 1 1-S miles. Hanover, tt, 111 pounds, won, beating Dry Monopole, 4, 114 pounds; Oriflame, 3, 92 pounds; Buekstone a, 10S pounds; Richmond, 5, 10S pounds; Biscuit, 4, 93 pounds; Iioaz, 4, 116 pounds; Burch a, 110 pounds; All Estill, 5, 103 pounds. Time. 1:54. Won pulled double by three lengths. Betting, even money Hanover. Jerome Iark, May 30. Withers Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 mile. Hanover, 11S pounds, won, beat ing Stockton, Belvidcre and Blackthorn. 118 pounds eaeh. Time, l:45i. Won cantering by two lengths. Betting, 12 to. 1 on Hanover. Jerome Bark, Jnne 9. Belmont Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 miles. Hanover, 11S pounds, won, beating Oueko, US pounds. Time, 2:43. Won by fifteen lengths. Betting, 20 to 1 on Hanover. Gravesend, June 14. Brooklyn Derby, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 miles. Hanover, 118 pounds, won, beating Dunbine, IIS pounds, and Bronzemarte, 113 pounds. Time, 2:43 A. AVon by fifteen lengths. Betting, 20 to 1 on Hanover. Sheepshead Bay, June IS. Swift Stakes, three-year-olds, 7-8 mile. Hanover, 118 pounds, won. beating Kingston. 11S pounds, and Firenze, 113 pounds. Time, 1:32. Won by ten lengths in a canter. Betting, n to 1 on Hanover. Sheepshead Bay. June 21. Tidal Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 mile. Hanover, 118 pounds, won, beating Kingston, 118 pounds, and Oncko, 118 ounds. Time, 1:41. Won by sir lengths "in a walk." Bettiug, 10 to 1 on Hanover. Sheepshead Bay, June 23. Coney Island Derby, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 miles. Ilauover, 118 pounds, won, beating Oneko, 118 pounds, and Hypasia, 115 pounds. Time, 2:44Vj. Won pulled double by ten lengths. Betting, Hanover barred. Sheepshead Bay, June 30. The Emporium, three-year-olds, 11-2 miles. Hanover, 12.8 pounds, won. beating Dunbine, 122 pounds; Oneko, 10-1 pounds; Stockton, 111 pounds; AVilfred, 108 pounds; Brynwood, 111 pounds; Banbridge, 104 pounds, and Shasta, 103 pounds. Time, 2:33. Won by two lengths. Betting, 10 to 1 on Hanover. Sheepshead Bay, July 22. Spindrift Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-4 miles. Hanover, ll pounds, won, beating Stockton, 111 pounds, and Rev- Continucd on third page. I ; i HANOVERS GREAT RECORD Continued from first page. eller, 112 pounds. Time, 2:11. Won by two lengths. Betting, 20 to 1 on Hanover. Monmouth Park, July 7. Lorillard Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 mile3. Hanover, 118 pounds, won, beating Almy, 113 pounds. Time, 2:40. Won by five lengths, pulled up. Betting, 50 to 1 on Hanover. Monmouth Park, July 16. Stockton Stakes, three -year-olds, 1 1-4 miles, nanover, 125 pounds, won, beating Kingdom, 118 pounds. Time, 2:13. Won 4y three lengths. No betting. Monmouth Park, July 31. Barnegat Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 miles. Hanover, 125 pounds, won, beating Miss Ford, 113 pounds, and Kingdom, 110 ponnds. Time, 2:44. Won pulled up by 3lx lengths. Betting, 6 to 1 on Hanover. Monmouth Park, July 26. Stevens Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 5-8 miles. HanoTcr, 123 pounds, won, beating Almy, 114 pounds. Time, 2:56. Won by four lengths, cantering. Betting, 40 to 1 on Hanover. Monmouth Tark, July 30. Raritan Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-4 miles. Laggard, 111 pounds, won, beating Hanover, 12S pounds, and Bradford, 109 pounds. Time, 2:14. Won by six lengths. Betting, 12 to 1 on Hanover, 12 to 1 against Laggard. Monmouth Tark, August 13. Champion Stakes, all ages, 1 1-2 miles. Hanover, 3, 103 pounds, won, beating Firenze, 3, 100 pounds, and Vo-lante, 5, 121 pounds. Time, 2:3S. Won by three lengths, cantering. Betting, 11 to 10 on Hanover. Saratoga, August 11. United States Hotel Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 miles. Hanover, 11S pounds, won, beating Wary, 113 pounds; Gri-ectte, 113 pounds, and Fenelon, 113 pounds. Time, 2:33. Won by three lengths, cantering. Betting, 10 to 1 on Hanover. Monmouth Park, August 20. Omnibus Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 miles. Laggard, 11S pounds, won, beating Firenze, 120 poundss; Hanover, 123 pounds; Esquimau, 113 pounds, and Kingston, 118 pounds. Time, 2:44. Won by "an inch," a short head between second and third. Betting, 2 to 1 on Hanover. 6 to 1 Laggard, 7 to 1 Firenze. Monmouth Park, August 25. Choice Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 1-2 railos. Banburg, 111 pounds, won, beating Hanover, 118 pounds. Time, 2:45. Won easily by a neck. Betting, 5 to 1 on Hanover. Gravesend, September 24. First Special, all ages, 1 1-4 miles. Volants, 5, 118 pounds, won, beating Elkwood, 4, 118 pounds; Favor, 5, 118 pounds; Hanover, 3, 112 pounds; Richmond, 5, 118 pounds, and Barnum a, 115 pounds. Time, 2:12. Won by two lengths pulled up, Hanover a poor fourth. Betting, 5 to 4 on Hanover, 3 to 1 Volante. Gravesend, October 1. Second Special, all ages, 1 1-8 miles, Hanover, 3, 114 ponnds, won, beating Favor, 5, 123 pounds; Banburg, 3, 111 pounds, and Grisette, 3, 111 pounds. Time, 1:57. Won in a canter by ten lengths. Betting, 6 to 5 against Hanover. Jerome Park, October 15. Jerome Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 3-4 miles. Firenze, 122 pounds, won, beating Hanover, 123 pounds. Time, 3:09. Won by three lengths. Betting 100 to 45 on Hanover. Baltimore, October 18. Breckinridge Stakes, three-year-olds, 1 5-8 miles. Hanover, 123 pounds, won, beating Glenmound, 113 pounds, and Stockton, 118 pounds. Time, 2:52. Wen cantering by eight lengths. Betting, 7 to 1 on Hanover. Baltimore, October 21. Dixie Stakes, three-year-olds, 2 miles. Hanover, 123 pounds, won, beating Glenmound, 118 pounds. Time, 3:31. Won by four lengths. Betting, 10 to 1 on Hanover. Washington, October 26. Purse race, all ages, 7-S mile. Eolian, 4, 118 pounds, won, beating Hanover, 3, 113 pounds; Mamie Hunt, 4, 110 pounds, and Theodosius, 3, 105 pounds. Time, l:28i. Won easily by two lengths. Betting, 10 to 7 on Hanover. Washington, October 27. Purse race, all ages, 1 mile. Eolian, 4, 123 pounds, won, beating Hanover. 3, 114 pounds; Ontario, 3, 99 pounds; Catesby gelding, 4, 105 pounds; Florence M., 5, 103 pounds, and King of Norfolk, 4, 101 pounds. Time, 1:43. Won by a neck. Betting, 5 to 4 on Eolian, 7 to 5 against Hanover. Washington, October 31. Purse race, all ages, 1 mile. Hanover, 3, 112 pounds, won, beating Orvid, 3, 96 pounds; Lelcx a, 105 pounds; Harvard, 3, 102 pounds; Marnum a, 103 pounds, nnd Catesby gelding, 4, 103 pounds. Time, 1:41. Won easily by a length and a half. Betting, 5 to 3 on Hanover. The winner pulled up lame. I recall no other instance in which a three-year-old of commanding greatness, like Hanover, was subjected to so severe a campaign, which, beginning May 17, did not end until October 31, during which ho was "sweated for the brass" no less than twenty-seven times, or three times more than Luko Blackburn and seven times more than Hindoo. By one of those freaks of destiny all three of these wonderful colts were owned by the Dwyer brothers, whoso sportsmanship was often Impugned as stained with rapacity. Of all the famous horses that raced in their colors of "red, blue sash, red cap," the only one that they were ever said to have shown any tenderness for was Miss Woodford. From all their other horses tho last possible dollar was squeezed, or what looked like an opportunity taken to squeeze it. They were handled as money-getting machines, to all intents and purposes, and only this can explain the treatment of Hanover, which after a long and exhausting campaign, in which he had won almost twico as much money as any other three-year-old up to that time ever had, he was sent to tho post again and again, in the shank of the season, when the sullen skies and sharp winds of late autumn caused tho spectators in the grandstand to shiver and turn up their coat collars, to contest for 00 purses against all-aged horses. He had "turned the corner" weeks before, but that made no difference. No mercy was shown him, and it is not at all unlikely that had he not pulled up lame in his final start he would have had to face the barrier several times more before going into winter quarters. While he "came through" in his last race, tho close of Hanovers campaign was on tho whole inglorious. That July day at Monmouth Park when in the Ilaritan Stakes the despised Laggard had so suddenly and as-toundingly interrupted his career of conquest brought a shock unlike any other in American turf history. Up to that time th white-faced son of Hindoo had never been beaten. His three two-year-old starts were all victories, and he had run as three-year-old fourteen times successfully. The public had come to believe him invincible, as it had never previously believed either Luke Blackburn or Hindoo so. The assemblage that witnessed the race could scarce believe tho testimony of their own eyes, neither could tho turf world at large when it read the result next morning in the papers. But subsequently on half a dozen other occasions ho had felt tho sting of defeat and, in the words of the poet, "the glory had departed." Hanover, ran, as a rule, against larger fields than Luke Blackburn or Hindoo, and ho carried higher weights, the scale having been increased in the six years between 1881 and 1S87. Luke Blackburn, with the exception, of Fonso, met no three-year-old to compare with several of those against which Hanover measured himself, but Hindoos rival, Crickmore, was fully their equal. As Blackburn and Hindoo raced in two successive seasons they met largely the same notable older horses when they competed in all-aged events. And these horses were as good, if not better, than the aged horses that Hanover met Stake values had also much increased in the six years that elapsed between Hindoo and Hanover and in the Lorillard of 1887 the. latter netted 3,080, whereas Hindoo, as seen above, never won a stako worth more than ,175 and Blackburn none worth to exceed ,405. Each of our three heroes, won at distances ranging up to two miles, Luke Blackburn and Hindoo in the Kenner. Stakes at Saratoga and Hanover in the Dixie in Baltimore. Blackburn and Hanover each won at seven-eighths, but Hindoo never raced at less than a mile as a three-year-old. He was tho only one of the trio to race heats, and on this occasion, a purse of mile heats at Sheepshead Bay, as he carried only ni.nety-five pounds. Jimmy McLaughlin co-j not make the weight and another jockey, Parker, "backed" him. "With this one exception McLaughlin rodo all three of these colts in each and every one of their three-year-old efforts something that is without parallel in-tho records of jockeyship. The time made by Luke Blackburn, Hindoo and Hanover was slow according to modern standards, but it must bo remembered that they ran over courses equally slow when compared with those of today. Luke Continued on eighth page. HANOVERS GREAT RECORD Continned from third page. Blackburns mile and a half in 2 :34, over the old Monmouth Park track, was a truly avoii-derful performance and stood as a Avorlds record for nearly a decade. Not the least interesting items in the summaries of their careers is that of tlio odds. Owing to Luke Blackburns indifferent two-year-old form he did not start a favorite in his first three-year-old essays, but the revelation of his prowess came so soon that in a few weeks he overshadowed everything else and from that time it Avas anything from 3 to 20 to 1 on him, and several times he was barred in the betting. Hindoo has the unique record of having started at odds of from 2 to 20 to 1 on him in every one of his twenty three-year-old races, except on one occasion, when there Avas no betting, as nobody would Avager against him. Only tAvice in his twenty-seAen races was as good as even money obtainable against Hanover. Repeatedly no bets against him could be obtained and the bookmakers had to suspend operations. Which of this trio Avas the greatest race horse? The question is futile. Luke Blackburn certainly squandered his horses in a manner that no other American colt eAer did. Hanover raced until he lost his form in much the same fashion. Hindoo was a less spectacular performer. McLaughlin is said to have always considered Blackburn the best. The Dwyers Avere said to lean toward Hindoo. And at one period in his career many critics placed Hanover above any colt eArer previously seen in this country. It is satisfying to know that the blood of all three of them, in subsequent generations, helped to produce subsequent champions and today remains potential for good in our breeding fabric.