112 GUN, BOD, AND SADDLE. 



Wonderful rumors had reached the Atlantic sea- 

 board of what the Western representative could do. 

 For a long time it was doubtful whether this great 

 gun would put in an appearance. So Kentucky 

 w r as backed at immense odds for the great event 

 the Inauguration Stakes. At length a telegraph ar- 

 rived, announcing the intention of Mr. Alexander to 

 forward his horse Asteroid. Public opinion became 

 divided, but, as is generally the case, drifted back to 

 the home favorite. Asteroid arrived a few days be- 

 fore the meeting, but unfortunately broke down; 

 however, I availed myself of an opportunity to in- 

 spect him, and such a horse I have seldom looked 

 at a hunter up to fourteen stone across any country 

 yet there was not a single gross point about him. 

 To what his mishap could be attributed, few could 

 say ; but I learned that, for an American horse, he 

 had done an unusual amount of work in his younger 

 days. 



Kentucky, the most successful, and possibly the 

 best horse that has been produced in America in 

 modern days, although differing in color, is very 

 much like Blair Athole in form, very showy and 

 cocky in his action, and of most desirable temper. 

 He has, I believe, only once been beaten, and then 



