Sport: Great Scott

“One. two, three, four . . . thirteen, fourteen, Go!” Up went the barrier and off went nine of America’s fastest three-year-old trotters—with a rataplan dear to U. S. horse lovers. It was the Hambletonian, richest and most famed of the 25,000 harness races held in the U. S. every summer. In the stands, drawn from far & near to New York’s drowsy little village of Goshen, 30,000 fans craned their necks for a glimpse of the start.

Before the word “Go” had echoed over the Orange County hills, the leaders were passing the stands, their program numbers stuck in their manes like Court of St. James’s plumes. Queen Victoria was in front, followed by big Remus, tallest trot ter (17.2 hands) on U. S. tracks and little Kuno, last year’s two-year-old champion. As they rounded the first turn of the three-cornered track, all Goshen shook with a mighty roar. Spencer Scott, the favorite, began to move up on the outside.

Sad-eyed Spencer Scott, trained and driven by foxy, old Fred Egan, was no great shakes as a two-year-old. But this year, thanks to careful nursing of his weak hocks. Baby (as he is known around the barns) outstepped his rivals in three of the four major tune-ups for the Hambletonian: Indianapolis’ Stallion Stake, Toledo’s Matron Stake and Narragansett’s National Stake. At Goshen last week Fred Egan’s Baby did not let his followers down. He made a runaway of the first heat, crossed the finish line (half a length in front of Remus, two in front of Kuno) in 2:02, fastest time chalked up by a three-year-old trotter this year.

In the second heat, Baby had things his own way from start to finish. Favored with the rail position (because of his victory in the first heat), he got in front fast and stayed there—Driver Egan looking as unruffled as though he were out for a morning brush. But when they reached the wire (in 2:03), 60-year-old Fred Egan let out a moppet’s yell. After trying twelve times, he had won his first Hambletonian.

Sharing Driver Egan’s joy was Owner Charles W. Phellis, retired Du Pont bigwig, who has raised trotters for 40 years, has had four previous starters in the Hambletonian (entry fee for each starter is around $1,000). Spencer Scott brought him his first victory—and $23,000.