192 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



There were twelve nominations, but only five starters: Porter Ashe's 

 Elwood, Jack Brady, Peregrine, Blue Bonnet, and Not Idle. The betting 

 was verv heavy, with Peregrine the favorite at $70, to $35 for Not Idle, and 

 $13 for the field. 



There was a good start. Not Idle pushed ahead and held the lead to the 

 half, and was there overtaken by the favorite, Elwood only a length behind. 

 It was a pretty race to the seven eighths, where Peregrine, by sheer force of 

 superior speed, passed Not Idle. This seemed to discourage her and she 

 slackened her speed, giving the heat to Peregrine, Not Idle second, Elwood 

 third. Time, 1:15. 



It was the belief of everybody that Peregrine's advantage of ten pounds 

 in weight insured him the race, and before the second heat he sold for $50 

 to $12 for the field, and his backers did not stake more on him only because 

 they had no time before the second heat was called. The talent went in 

 heavily on the favorite, and when they could get no more bets in the pool- 

 box they went about bantering for wagers among the crowd. 



It was nearly half an hour before Crittenden could bring the horses up 

 for a square start. When at last he succeeded Not Idle went forward like 

 a shot, Blue Bonnet and Jack Brady working together close at her heels. 

 Elwood was a good third, and the favorite dismayed his friends by lagging 

 along two open lengths behind, but the fine little gelding was only resting, 

 for at the half he had overhauled all but Not Idle and got within one length 

 of her. That was all he could do, however, for, although he struggled 

 gallantly and ran true as a line, Not Idle beat him in; Peregrine second. 

 Time, l:15i 



For the third heat only Not Idle and Peregrine could start, the other horses 

 being excluded under the rules. The talent saw their mistake in pinning 

 their faith to Peregrine, and there was a rush to buy Not Idle, and $75 was 

 offered for her to $55 for Peregrine. 



On the start the latter took a short lead, followed closely by Not Idle, but 

 at the half Not Idle had closed the gap, and then for a quarter of a mile it 

 was a splendid contest, the horses running so evenly that no one could see 

 a shade's difference in their noses. On the turn the three-year old gave up, 

 and Not Idle found it easy to win in 1 : 16 by half a dozen lengths, which the 

 vigorous use of the whip did not help Peregrine to reduce. This heat fin- 

 ished the finest running race of the Fair thus far, and Not Idle received 

 warm plaudits for her famous victory. 



SUMMARY. 



California State Fair, Sacramento, September 12, 1888. — Del Paso Stake; heats of 

 three quarters of a mile. 



M. F. Tarpey's ch. f. Not Idle, by Wildidle-Bonanza, 4— Hitchcock, 109 2 11 



W. M. Murry's ch. g. Peregrine, by Joe Hooker-Irene Harding, 3 — Lloyd, 110 12 2 



Elwood, Jack Brady and Blue Bonnet ran unplaced. 



Time— 1:15; 1:15£; 1:16. 



Betting — Auction pools : First heat — Peregrine $50, Not Idle $37, field $15. Second heat — 

 Peregrine $50, field $12. Third heat— Not Idle $60, Peregrine $32 50. Paris pools paid: Not 

 Idle, straight, $14 25; place, $5 50. 



Two for the favorites and one for the second choice was the ruling for the 

 day so far, and now the turn of the field was to come. Such a big inclosure, 

 however, that seven of the nine starters were within its bounds, though the 

 two not included were held worth more than the success. 



The last race was a free purse. Horses that have started and not won at 

 this meeting allowed ten pounds, while winners, carrying rule weights, 

 were required to carry five pounds extra. 



