296 THE TROTTING-TIORSE OF AMETilCA. 



pull ; and, at the quarter, I led her two lengths and a bilf. 

 At the half-mile, in Im. lis., Ethan had a length and a 

 half of lead ; hut the mare was coming with uncommoa 

 speed and resolution. Gaining inch by inch, she collared 

 him on the lower turn, and he made a skip. She led at the 

 head of the stretch ; but the little horse finished very game- 

 ly, and she beat him but a length in 2m. 25s., — the best 

 mile that had ever been trotted to a wagon. 



It was also the best mile that he ever trotted single ; and 

 though, having been defeated, he gets no record for it, it is 

 just as much to be considered for his credit, in estimating 

 his value as a stallion, as if he had won in 2m. 25^s. The 

 second and third heats were won by the mare. The time 

 of each was 2m. 27^s. Flora thus, in the first race of the 

 season, gave a sample of her mature powers. Darius Tall- 

 man drove her that day. The time she made remained un- 

 equalled for above five years ; but, finally, George Wilkes 

 made it in a second heat on the Union Course, w^hen the 

 track was not fast, and the weather was unfavorable for clear 

 wind. It is just also to say, that, though Ethan Allen 

 gained no money b}'- that race with Flora, he added much to 

 his fame. 



On the 16th of June, Flora met a new and formidable 

 competitor in the bay mare Princess. This mare had for- 

 merly been called Topsy, under which name she had trotted 

 fast in the West. She was then taken to California, and be- 

 came the property of Mr. Teakle, a gentleman of fine parts 

 and enterprise, and high character. She had been brought 

 from the Pacific side to New York by James Eoff, a very 

 able trainer and driver, and generally thought to be as 

 hardy and unscrupulous as any man in our profession. Prin- 

 cess was a mare of singular beauty and high quality, com- 

 bined with strength. I do not know her pedigree : I have 

 heard several different stories about it; but she showed 

 blood, and must have had a good strain in her. Her temper 

 was net of the best ; and, though she had a great gift of 



