DARK HORSE WINNER

IN WEIRD CONTEST

Note:  "Excerpts"  from the Glendale News Press, Monday, May 6, 1929 article that was written by Don Ashbaugh - News-Press Sports Editor.

Special Note:  The Newspaper Photograph of the May 5, 1929 event below was scanned from another unknown  newspaper source.

Frank Wykoff -- Nate George

Saturday, May 5, 1929

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Greyhound Falters Briefly As Borah Stumbles With Pulled Tendon;

Both Champions Defeated

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by:  Don Ashbaugh

News-Press Sports Editor

Will Remember Race

"I have seen many races but none will ever remain as clear in my mind as that one Saturday (May 4, 1929).    I saw the Glendale Greyhound (Wykoff) taut with nervousness, strain down the track ahead of the pack.  I saw him give up a foot of his precious one-yard lead at the 80-yard mark.  I saw him stave off the rest of the challenge of his supposedly stiffest foe, Charlie Borah.  I saw the latter's face contort as a vital ligament pulled loose in the drive to catch the tow-headed Glendale youngster.  I saw Borah falter. Saw Wykoff turn as he stumbled and unconsciously throw out an arm in a gesture of assistance to his friendly foe.  I saw Wykoff straighten up as he did this between the 80 and 90-yard mark.  I saw (Nate) George whiz by on the blind side as Wykoff turned (?) and lunged forward -- too late.  I saw George take the tape with Wykoff a full yard behind -- a yard or two he lost when he straightened up as Borah staggered. . ."

No Alibi Offered 

..."Borah achieved the biggest push out of his holes but Wykoff passed him inside the first ten yards at the 50 mark where Borah had scratched the track to indicate the spot where he wanted to go into high gear.  Wykoff was a good far yard in front.  Borah's bid closed up the gap about half way.  As the sprinters passed the lower press box, daylight showed between Wykoff and Borah still, but George was right up even with them. Borah could gain no more.

Champions Upset

"Then he faltered.  And the biggest upset of the track year resulted.  The national 100-yard champion, Wykoff, and the national 220 champion, Borah, had been expected to run close to world's record time.

"Too much publicity.  Too tight nerves precluded that possibility.  The boys just didn't have the freedom of muscular activity so necessary in a fast sprint.  (Nate) George and (Milton) Mauer, both expecting nothing more than a place, had nothing to lose.  Their muscles were free and when the Glendale youngster's (Frank Wykoff's) error of looking around slowed him for the brief fraction of a second they (George & Mauer) were there to take advantage of his error."

END