176 THE TROTTING-HORSE OF AMERICA. 



that I could do to save his distance. The check-piece of 

 the bit got into his mouth, and he couldn't trot. At one 

 time he was a full distance behind the Lady ; but with a 

 sudden jerk I drew the bit square in his mouth again, and 

 got him to going time enough to save another start. The 

 odds were now two to one on the Lady. 



The third heat was one of the closest and finest things, 

 from end to end, that I have ever seen. That between 

 Dutchman and Rattler, in their great race of four three- 

 mile heats under saddle, was no nearer thing. At the start 

 we went away together, and kept on almost neck and neck 

 for the first mile. The second was just the same, a cease- 

 less fight all the way, every inch being contested, and 

 neither having a shade the best of it to all appearance. A 

 hundred yards from home they were head and head, and 

 apparently doing all they knew. The struggle was tre- 

 mendous, and they trotted as if their lives depended upon 

 it. Bryan used the whip freely ; and now, close at home, I 

 rallied Eipton with the bit, and called upon him for one 

 final dash. The little horse answered the call very gal- 

 lantly, and, amidst the most intense excitement of the spec- 

 tators, beat her home just two feet. The gray mare fought 

 for every inch, and stretched her neck like a wild goose on 

 the wing; but the nose of the little bay horse was first 

 past the post, and he got the heat and race. I do not think 

 that I have ever seen a better race than this, which I have 

 briefly described above. The time of the first heat has 

 since been beaten by Flora Temple as much as sixteen 

 seconds and a half; but in those days this performance by 

 Ripton was considered very great, and was great. 



The observations I have made heretofore in regard to 

 improved tracks, light vehicles, better training, higher 

 breeding, and general advance in speed and speedy methods, 

 will all have to be considered in this case. If Ripton had 

 not got the check-piece of the bit into his mouth in the 

 second heat, I believe he would have won this race easily. 



