XXI. 



Ripton' s Three Matches with Americus. Rip ton in Mud. Ripton hi Snow, 

 Sleighing on the Harlem Road. Ripton and Confidence. Owner's 

 instructions. An Old Horse to be kept Warm between Heats. Match 

 with Bay Boston. 



AFTER Ripton' s arduous and successful season, at the 

 close of 1842, ending with his victory over Americus 

 in the great race of three-mile heats, he went into winter 

 quarters at his owner's, Mr. Moore of Philadelphia ; and when 

 the time came to prepare him for his three matches with 

 Americus, three-mile, two-mile, and mile heats, in harness, he 

 went into the hands of George Youngs. The first of these 

 races was the one at three-mile heats, which came off early 

 in May, on a Monday. The others followed after intervals 

 of a week. They were all trotted on the Beacon Course. 

 The three-mile heat race was won in two heats by Ripton ; 

 the fastest of the two being 7m. 53-|s. Next week, at the 

 two-mile heats, it was the same. Ripton won handily in 

 two heats, having taken the lead at the start in each, 

 and never being headed in either of them. The next week 

 came the mile and repeat race. The track was very heavy, 

 and the odds large on Ripton. They went sloshing along 

 through the mud ; and the little white-legged horse won 

 with ease in two heats, the best of which was 2m. 38s-. 



I may here observe that Ripton was one of the best mud- 

 horses I have ever seen. From his general characteristics, 

 one would scarcely have supposed that he would go dashing 



185 



