view raw text
MORE DIXIE STAKES LORE ♦ Continuation of History of One of Americas Most Noted Races. ■ From Tom Ochiltree In 1875 to Governor Howies "rickmores Memorable Success in 1881. BALTIMORE, Md.. April 13.— Continuing the history of the Dixie Stakes, which is the opening day attraction of the Pimlico meeting on May 1, this article presents the era from 1875 to 1881. Following Vandalites victory, John F. Chamberlins Tom Ochiltree, afterward famous for his three-cornered match at Pimlico. against Tarole and Ten Broeck, when Congress adjourned to enable the members to run over for the race, won the Dixie in 1S75. ridden by the English jockey. Evans, over E. A. Clabauchs Maryland-bred Viator, by Vauxliall, and Joe Cerns, owned by D. McDaniel. who was a consistent Dixie patron, third. Tom Ochiltree passed into the possession or George L. Lorillard. who presented him to his trainer, the late R. Wyndham Walden, for service at his Bowling Brook Stud, in Carroll County, Md., where he got some good racers. The DwTer Brothers Vigil, by Virgil, dam Regan, jockey Spillman up, won the Dixie in 1S76 from Pierre Lorillards internationally famed gelding Parole, with B. GL Thomas Heretog next, in a field of six, and in 1S77 Kentucky captured the prize, with J. H. Mc-Intyres King Faro, the indefatigable D. McDaniel second, with Major Barker and August Belmonts beautifully bred filly Susquehanna third. King Faro was by Phaeton, dam by Knight of St. George, and was piloted in the Dixie by the celebrated colored ;ockey. "Walker, who rode Ten Broeck when defeated by Parole and Tom Ochiltree. LORILLARD UNBEATABLE. Then came the "George L. Lorillard. Wyndham Walden. "Whitey Hughes," era. Duke of Magenta, Monitor and Grenada, winning • the Dixie in the blue and orange colors three 1 years successively. 1S7S, 1S79, 1SS0, the runners up being Charles Reeds Bonnie Wood, and Pierre Lorillards Spartan to Duke of Magenta. J. EL Keenes Lord Murphy and G. L. Lorrillards Harold to Monitor, and E. A. Clabaughs Maryland colt. Oden and Bab-cock and Co.s Ferncliff to Grenada. During this period the G. L. Lorillard stable was almost unbeatable and it was no infrequent thing to see his horses, trained by the western Maryland expert. finisTi one-two-three in some of the most important stakes in the country. It was not until 1SS1 that Governor Oden Bowie realized the ambition of a lifetime by breeding and owning the winner of this most coveted of prizes, and when Crickmore, by Catesby, dam Relle Meade, foaled and raised at the home farm "Fairview." in Prince Georges county, ridden by Hughes, defeated the Pelham Stables Eole, George Barbee up. and Pierre Lorillards Rarrett. the scene at Pimlico beggared description. Hats were thrown in the air. yells that would have made "Billy" Garth green with envy, were uttered on every hand, and Marylands most popular executive was greeted with an enthusiasm that could only be compared to the way the King of England was cheered when Persimmon won the Derby at Epsom. That year the Governor held an unusually strong hand and with Compensation, winner of the Preakness and Breckingridge stakes, as a second string, the red and white triumphed in many a valuable fixture. It is well known that Crickmore, named after the popular New York turf authority, defeated the mighty Hindoo, sire of Hanover, much to the surprise of his owner and breeder, the distinguished Kentucky sportsman. Dan Swigeru and Crickmores unfortunate end. having been smothered in a hay stack when turned out to pasture, brought to a close a memorable racing career, possibly the greatest in Marylands turf history.
