THE TROTTING-HORSE OF AMERICA. 337 



keep it there in spite of all liis efforts, and won by a head. 

 It was one of the finest finishes that I remember to have 

 seen, when the big horse began to out-trot her up the stretch, 

 and she, making a grand rally as she saw his smoking 

 nostril, succeeded in just beating him out. The time was 

 4in. 55s. 



Between the heats they both showed that their condition 

 was good, and that they were good-winded ones. In die 

 second heat they started even ; but Flora was the quickest 

 beginner, and began to draw ahead at the turn. Turner, 

 indeed, was afraid to let his horse out at first, for fear that 

 he might break. The little mare went on until she was 

 three lengths ahead of him ; but when he got well settled into 

 his stroke, on the back-stretch, he began to overhaul her. 

 At the half-mile, in 1m. 12s., he was an open length 

 behind her, and at the head of the stretch had shut up the 

 daylight. The first mile was 2m. 26s., Flora leading a 

 length and a half. He lost a little on the turn, as usual ; 

 but on the back-stretch he trotted in magnificent style, and 

 showed a truly great rate of speed for the sixth quarter of 

 a two-mile heat. At the half-mile pole, he was at her quar- 

 ters, and his head reached her flank. McMann set up a yell 

 at her, or perhaps at him, and he broke. But he caught in 

 fine style, and, losing but little, dashed on after her. At 

 the head of the stretch she led a length ; but now the chest- 

 nut came on, and made another resolute and most determined 

 effort to get the heat. He gained upon her inch by inch, 

 until at the distance she was but a neck in front. McMann 

 put the whip on to Miss Flora, and Turner held John Mor- 

 gan to his brush with all his might. But it lasted a little 

 too long. He broke close at home, and she won the heat in 

 4m. 52s. 



When the heats are put together, it will be found that 



this was the fastest two-mile race in harness that ever was 



trotted; and it shows conclusively that John Morgan was a 



tremendous horse. He had not Jaa4 that gradual, patient 



22 



