HORSE. 



the backers of time, who paid forfeit. Another gentleman offered to produce foi * 

 wager a pair of horsss that should trot 100 miles in nine hours in harness, but na 

 GL-.B would back time against the performance. 



Having thus gone through with these numerous details, let us dwell for a momen 



pon some of the most extraordinary performances noted in the tables. Probably tha 



most remarkable trotting performance on record is Dutchman's match against time. 



But we will first give the report of his match with Rattler, which we compile from 



the " Spirit of the Times." 



EXTRAORDINARY TROTTING MATCH. 



A TROTTING MATCH, for .$1000 a-side, Three mile heats, under the saddle, came ofl 

 on Saturday,Oct. 6, 1838, at 4 o'clock, over the Beacon Course, opposite this city. The 

 annals of the turf furnish no parallel to it; every foot of the ground was severely con- 

 tested, and the time made is by far the best on record. 



Dutchman and Rattler were the contending horses; the first is a handsome bay 

 gelding, of great size and substance, about 16 hands high ; he is what is termed " a 

 meaty horse," and looks, when in fine condition, like an ordinary roadster in "good 

 order." He was trained for the match and ridden by HIRAM WOODRUFF. Rattler ia 

 a brown gelding, of about 15 hands, and " a rum 'un to look at;" he was drawn very 

 fine, though one of those that seldom carry an ounce of superfluous flesh ; we hear that 

 his feed of late has seldom exceeded six quarts per day, while Dutchman's ha? been 

 between twelve and sixteen. Rattler was trained and ridden by WILLIAM WHEELAN. 

 ITis style of going- is superior to Dutchman's; he spreads himself well, and strikes out 

 clear and even. Dutchman does not appear to have perfect command or' his hind legs : 

 instead of throwing them forward, he raises them so high as to throw up his rump, and 

 consequently falls short in his stride. The main dependence of his backers was based 

 upon his game ; and a gentleman who "put on the pot" to a heavy amount on Rattler, 

 offered 2 to 1 on Dutchman before the start, provided the heats were broken. 



The odds before the horses came upon the track were 5 to 4 on Dutchman ; after the 

 riders were up, 5 to 3 was current, and at length 2 to 1. As they were ridden up and 

 down in front of the stand previous to starting, both appeared to be in superb condition, 

 and to have their action perfectly. The track was so hard and smooth that the naila 

 in the shoes of the horses could be seen every step they made. A great many bets 

 were made on time ; even bets were made that it would be better than any on record. 

 To determine what the best time on record was, it was shown that in 1833, Columbus 

 trotted a three mile heat, under the saddle, over the Hunting Park Course, Philadel- 

 phia, in 7:57^, but to prevent any dispute about the fractions of a second, 7:58 was 

 declared to be the best time made. On the 10th of October, 1837, Daniel D. Tomp- 

 kins, in a match, literally vs. the world, beat Rattler, over the Centreville Course, in 

 7:59 8:09, three mita heats, under the saddle. Both Dutchman and Rattler are 

 owned by gentlemen of this city; the latter was ridden without a spur. 



The Race. Rattler drew the track, but resigned it to Dutchman on the first 

 quarter; he came in front on the backside, and at the half-mile post led by two lengths; 

 he soon after broke up, when Dutchman headed him and led past the stand (2:42) 

 round to the straight stretch on the backside, where the ground being descending, and 

 more favourable to him, Rattler passed. Dutchman waited upon him, close up, tc 

 near the three-quarter mile post, where Rattler shook him off, and led past the stand 

 (2:38) by four lengths; keeping up his rate, he led down the backside and round th 

 turn to the straight stretch in front, where Hiram caught Dutchman by the head, and 

 laid in the spurs up to the gaffs; the brush home was tremendous, but Rattler won by 

 nearly a length, trotting the 3d mile in 2:34^, and the heat in 7:54A. 



Second heat. Dutchman broke at starting, and 2 to 1 was offered against him. 

 Down the backside "the horses were lapped all the way ; on the ascending ground, 

 within about ten rods of the half-mile post, Dutchman gained a little, ar.d came first to 

 the stand (2:37). He drew out two lengths ahead round the 1st turn 3n the 2d mile, 

 but Rattler gallantly challenged him down the backside and lapped him; at the half- 

 Tiile post Dutchman was again clear, but by a desperate effort Rattler lapped hire 

 when they got into stra.ight work in front, and thus they came to the stand ('2:33) 

 On the backside Rattler, as usual, drew nit clear, but for an instant only; the spun 



