260 THE TROTTING-HORSE OF AMERICA. 



ted mile heats, three in five, in harnesss, on the Hunting- 

 park Course, April 23, the spring of 1853. The mare was 

 big and lacked seasoning. The horse was fast, and beat 

 her in three straight heats, 2.35|, 2.30}-, 2.35. This was 

 a great performance for a green horse ; but the little mare 

 was forthwith matched to try the cause with him again on 

 the 17th of the next month. Meantime she returned to 

 New York for her meeting with Young Dutchman, which 

 was to have come off on the Union Course on the 3d ; but 

 the Dutchman paid forfeit, not being up to the mark, and 

 a match was made between Flora and Lady Brooks. 



The latter was a good mare. Her friends were so fond 

 of her, and there was so much bragging and boasting in re- 

 gard to her speed and staying qualities, that 100 to 60 was 

 laid against Flora. They trotted mile heats, three in five, 

 at the Centreville, for $1,000, on the 4th of May. I liked 

 the little mare well that day, and told my friends to take 

 the odds to any amount. I knew a little of Lady Brooks 

 myself ; and, if there is one thing that a trainer and driver 

 needs above all others except knowledge and skill, it is to 

 turn an absolutely deaf ear to the boastings of his oppo- 

 nents. Flora won the race in three straight heats, 2.31 J, 

 2.32, 2.33 J. They were all won with great ease ; and not 

 one of them was as fast as they all were to have been, ac- 

 cording to what was proclaimed as to the capability of Lady 

 Brooks. In this race Flora had fine speed. One of the 

 half-miles was trotted in 1.13, and I took her in hand. She 

 was now eight years old, very sound, of good constitution, 

 a capital feeder, and was all the time improving. I say all 

 the time improving j for, though she had been beaten by 

 Black Douglas, I was satisfied that she would give a good 

 account of him at their next meeting on the 17th. I had 

 not driven her in her first trot with Douglas ; but this time 

 I went on with her. She suited the amateurs and trotting- 

 men so well when she was hitched up, and I warmed her 

 previous to the start, that she was backed at 100 to 80. The 



