CHAPTER XVIL 

 Waning: of the Gray* 



The decline of the gray horse on the race track is 

 worthy of some attention, for it forcibly impresses one who 

 considers such things. There was a time when the gray 

 animal was a mighty power on the race track, but that time 

 is passed, and the pale-hued equine is noted not simply for 

 his scarcity. 



Once they were the kings and queens of the turf, and 

 once they pulled down the greatest purses and stakes. 

 Slowly the decline began, and the stock gradually laded 

 away. 



Among the earliest of the gray ones was Gray Diomed, 

 a great racer and sire. His fame was widespread and he 

 distanced most of the horses of his day. It was considered 

 very desirable to mate a mare to this stallion, and his get 

 invariably proved winners. 



Next might be named the famous mare Andrewetta, 

 who beat the celebrated Boston on the Broad Rock track 

 and made the best time of the day. Her performance was 

 looked upon as nothing short of marvelous. 



Then came Gamma, a Tennessee-bred mare, who was 

 very fast and beat many good horses at from three to four 

 miles. 



Gray Eagle was in the class of this color, and his fame 

 was spread from the Canadas to the Gulf. He it was who 

 took the measure of many great ones and was the pride of 

 old Kentucky. 



Gray Medoc, by old Medoc, was celebrated for his vic- 

 tory over Altof and the other notables of his time. He got 

 nothing very noted in the stud, but some of his produce 

 were fair race horses. 



A distinguished horse of his time was Gray Tyrant. 

 He was one of the first horses owned by John Harper. In 

 seven heats he was at length beaten by Rally, who was 

 owned by John M. Clay. The race took place at Versailles 



