American Eclipse vs. Henry 157 



his inability to manage Eclipse, Purdy was chosen. He 

 was 49 years of age, a man of high integrity and honor, 

 a popular favorite and famed for his grace and self-posses- 

 sion in the saddle. When he appeared for the second heat 

 the Northerners went wild with joy. 



Henry took the inside and kept the lead, followed by 

 Eclipse. Purdy saw that his only chance was to make it 

 a contest of strength and endurance and for nearly three 

 miles he drove Henry nearly at the top of his speed, about 

 20 feet ahead, with little variation. Near the end of the 

 third mile Purdy made his run and Eclipse's nose about 

 reached Henry's tail as they entered the fourth mile where 

 there was a turn, or sweep, in the track. On this move 

 Purdy risked everything; it was a desperate case and he 

 boldly took a desperate chance. He made a fight for the 

 inside and before they reached the centre of the turn 

 Eclipse lapped Henry about head and girth. A little more 

 than halfway round the sweep the horses were a dead 

 lap, Eclipse on the inside; when three-fourths round 

 Eclipse's quarter covered Henry's head and neck. As 

 they finished the bend and entered upon the straight run 

 along the back part of the course Eclipse was clear and 

 ahead. By strong persuasion he gained inch by inch 

 during the remaining three-quarters of a mile and came 

 in about two lengths ahead. As the horses passed down 

 the home stretch, according to a writer who was present, 

 "the long and loud applause sent forth by the Eclipse 

 party exceeded all description; it seemed to roll along 

 the track as the horses advanced, resembling the loud and 

 re-iterated shout of contending armies," Time 7:49. 



"The time of their second heat," according to an expe- 

 rienced critic, "proved that Henry had been overworked 

 and that the bottom of Eclipse, joined to his great recu- 

 perative powers, was too much for his young competitor." 



