Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1877 — AN EXCITING TURF EVENT. [ARTICLE]

AN EXCITING TURF EVENT.

The Great Race Between Ten Broeck, Parole and Tom Ochiltree. [Baltimore Cor. Cincinnati Enquirer.] The judges, the Hon. August Belmont, Ex-Gov. Bowie, and Senator Beck, took their places in their stand. The timers, Capt. J. H. Smith and Price McGrath, pulled out their watches, and Capt Connor dropped the flag on as pretty and even a start as was ever seen, at precisely eight minutes past 3 o’clock. Ten Broeck at once jumped to the front, with Ochiltree a half length behind, and Parole in the rear. At the lower turn Ten Broeck had increased his lead to over a length, while Parole had fallen back somewhat The excitement was now terrific. Men pushed and jostled as if mad, while ladies stood up on their seats and craned their necks like swans in their eagerness to see every jump of the gallant coursers. On they came, Ten Broeck still in the lead at the first quarter; and, as they thundered down the quarter-stretch and passed the grand stand, it was seen that Ten Broeek was scouring and purging as if afflicted with diarrhea. “By Jove !” said Joe Elliott, the Nestor of the turf, “ look at him. He is clear amiss, and scouring 1” It was, alas ! true; but the fact was learned too late. Still he kept the lead, wilh Ochiltree close up to him, and Parole going along at his ease about four lengths’ distance. They maintained these positions until well up the back-stretch, when Ochiltree lapped Ten Broeck, and they ran side by side for awhile, and then, just at the beginning of the lower turn, Ochiltree’s head showed in front of Kentucky’s pride. The shout that went up at this sight was enough to awaken the dead.

Ten Broeck soon regained the lead, and as he did so the hearts of the Eastern men fell, for they thought now it was all day with their chances. Ochiltree held on well, however, and still kept lapping Ten Broeck, while Parole moved up a bit, and lessened the gap between himself and Ochiltree. In this way they ran well around the upper tarn for the last time, and then Parole made a dash, lapped Ochiltree, and then went after Ten Broeck on the home-stretch. “Parole! Parole!” screamed the crowd. “ Parole wins !” Not yet, however, for the jockey of Ten Broeck was plying whip and spur on his horse. The noble animal strained every nerve to respond, but nature was unequal to the task, and at the distancestand Parole took the lead, amid shouts and yells that would have done credit to Bedlam. From there to the string he increased his distance with every jump, and landed a winner by three open lengths. The scene that ensued upon the return of the horses to the judges’ stand beggars description. The crowd broke down all barriers, and, rushing out on the course, surrounded Parole, and cheered and yelled for him until they were hoarse. They then pulled the jockey, Barrett, off his seat, and carried him in triumph on their shoulders. The police made a break and rescued him from his admirers, but he was a second time captured and a second time placed on the brawny shoulders of a friend. Finally he was permitted to mount his horse, and rode to the stable, being cheered meanwhile as if a conquering hero. Such a sight has not been seen on a race-track since the days of Eclipse and Sir Henry.