Garrison finish

American  

noun

1. the finish of a race, especially a horse race, in which the winner comes from behind to win at the last moment.

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Etymology

Origin of Garrison finish

1930–35; probably named after Edward (“Snapper”) Garrison, 19th-century American jockey who often won in this fashion

Example Sentences

It was the kind of garrison finish of which sports legends are made.

From Golf Digest

This kind of garrison finish by St. John’s has come back in style this year, as the Red Storm beat nationally ranked teams the way it used to.

From New York Times

Re-entering the competition late, Douglas turned up with a slicked-up job, reputedly with a speed above 400 miles an hour, and, in a Garrison finish, last week took first money.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mutual Broadcasting System approved an agreement with the Society, and in a Garrison finish at St. Louis won ratification from a majority of its 169 member stations.

From Time Magazine Archive

In memory of his boyhood idols, Director Lindheimer has named these races after jockeys who made old Washington Park famous at the turn of the century: immortal Isaac Murphy, slaveborn Negro who won four American and three Kentucky Derbies; whip-snapping Snapper Garrison, whose habit of coming from behind to win made "Garrison finish" a U. S. idiom; Lucien Lyne, Derby winner in 1902; and Johnny Bullman, winner in 1900-01.

From Time Magazine Archive