THE HORSE. 35 



Although this dissertation has been already extended somewhat beyond the limits 

 prescribed by our publisher and our own anticipation, we hope to render it more 

 acceptable as well as more useful by appending to it, in tabular form for greater con- 

 venience, and for comparison hereafter, an account of some of the most remarkable 

 achievements, of comparatively modern date,, of the turf horse in America at all distances. 

 — In truth, we feel confident that everj' reflecting reader will regard but as the natural 

 sequel to all the observations which have preceded it, the following synopsis of 



THE BEST RACES IN AMERICA. 



It will yet be necessary however to premise a few observations, lest the reade 

 should draw inaccurate conclusions from the statistics laid before him. 



In the United States, owing not only to the great territorial extent of the country, 

 but to the natural obstacles which divide its remote sections, and the extreme differ- 

 ences of climate, there never has been, and probably never will be, established central 

 race courses, where horses from all parts of the States may habitually meet, and test 

 their relative superiority by actual contest. We are compelled therefore to adopt 

 other criteria for the relative speed and stoutness of horses. But there is one which 

 has almost swallowed up all others, and is most universal and most popular in its 

 application. We allude to the time in which races are run. If it be admitted that 

 this is the best single criterion we can have, it must equally be admitted that it is 

 often fallacious. It is only necessary to name the different causes by which time is 

 affected and modified. 



The most obvious is the difference in the soils of different courses. This is so well 

 Understood, that it would not be difficult to make a tolerably accurate scale of the 

 comparative adaptation of our different courses for speed. — Again, in comparing races 

 at different periods, to arrive at accurate conclusions, it must not be forgotten that 

 great improvements have been made in the old established courses within a few years. 

 This improvement commencing with the Union Course on Long Island, which by 

 levelling it and grading the turns, has been made much faster than of yore, has been 

 very generally introduced upon rival courses. — The more obvious consideration of the 

 different condition, in which the same course may be on different days, will present 

 itself to every mind. Great regard should be paid, too, to the state of the atmosphere, 

 whether clear, balmy and calm, or raw, damp and windy; for this state notoriously 

 affects in a great degree the speed of a horse. These are several of the considerations 

 whicli must be taken into account in estimating the powers of horses by a comparison 

 of the time, in which they have run different races ; indeed tlie test of mere time, 

 however more popular and perhaps more unerring than any one other, is not very 

 much relied upon by a consummate judge 'f racing. And if a horse, who performed a 

 given distance m remarkable time may fairly lay claim to distinction, it is undeniable 

 that there will be other racers of equal powers in the eyes of the judicious, whom the 

 nature of a course upon the day of a race will prevent from making great time. With 

 one other suggestion we will come to the tables. 



The reader must not only note the period of the year in which a race is run, as 

 affecting the age of the horse, but he will recollect that in one portion of the United 

 States, horses take their age from the first of January, and in others from the first of 

 May. In these tables, for uniformity's sake, the English and Northern rule has been 

 pursued, giving the ages from the first of January. Another consideration must be 

 borne in mind — that the interval hetv.een the heats has been diminished, of late years ; 

 and at the present day, horses at the South have ten minutes more time for recovery 

 between four-mile heats than on Northern courses. 



