A FAVORITE'S LOSS or A A ACE. 277 



the leader's girth. When within thirty yards of the stand 

 they both broke, galloping over the score, and in my opin- 

 ion, the favorite slightly behind. The time was slow for 

 the horses, a good deal behind what was made in the har- 

 ness race, and groans and cries of disapprobation met the 

 animals, that but a few minutes ago were hailed with accla- 

 mations. How evanescent is popularity! There w r ere 

 many causes conducing to slow time, but not one of these 

 was considered. 



A great majority of the vast concourse were disappoint- 

 ed, and when the judges announced the heat as belonging 

 to the favorite, and gave the official, time, there were jeers 



and calls to "bring out , he can beat that." It was 



some time before the tumult could be stilled. I told one 

 of the judges, that I thought the other was entitled to the 

 heat, and he replied that they thought of making it a dead 

 heat, but that would only protract the race, as the favorite 

 would win any way. I was laughed at for suggesting that, 

 perhaps, the other might be the victor, as the horse did 



not live that could beat that way of going. From 



the consultations between the owner and rider, and their 

 request that the judges would be careful not to give the 

 rider the word unless he was moving well and level, it was 

 apparent that they meant to do their best to wipe out the 

 disgrace of the preceding heat, and, by showing time that 

 would satisfy the most exacting, regain the applause they 

 had forfeited. Their wishes were gratified by a capital 

 start for the second heat, both horses trotting very fast as 

 the bell rung the chime that signified onward^ There was 

 nothing to describe different from the other heat, only 

 that the favorite was further ahead than before at the half 

 mile. The watches showing a great improvement in the 

 time, and as it was made known in the judges' stand, the 

 vice-president turning to me, his face fairly glowing with 



