170 Making the American Thoroughbred 



passed the Judges' stand Bascombe widened the gap a 

 length. Willis* strategy now became evident. 



"Bascombe made play on each straight stretch, and led so far 

 as to give his antagonist no chance in rounding the semi-circles, where 

 Willis, hugging the pole, held him up invariably, obliging Post 

 Boy to make so wide a swerve in order to pass, that by the time the 

 horses were neck and neck, they had cleared the turn, when he (Willis) 

 would immediately take his place in front. Willis' riding evinced 

 the utmost nicety of judgment as to the powers of the nonpareil 

 he so gracefully bestrode. He found that his horse had the foot of 

 Post Boy, and the only fear was of his endurance. But he made his 

 race safe by striding away at a tell-tale pace around the back stretch, 

 on the north bend of which he had reason to fear Post Boy might 

 prove dangerous. The first mile was run in 2: 02; in the second Post 

 Boy having got limber, and finding he had an ugly customer, went 

 at him in earnest, and the pace grew very much better, as he locked 

 him. With little change of position, they ran thus the whole of the 

 second mile in i : 56. Now Willis was to do or die. He knew that on 

 the fourth mile, Post Boy would make bis brush, and he had heard 

 of that before it was a caution but the 'Methodist Priest' under 

 him was 'a sin to Crockett!' Post Boy collared him as they passed 

 the gate on the third mile, when Willis at once took a pull at his 

 horse, and holding him well together, kept him at his work. The 

 pace was killing but 'calm as a summer's morning' Willis was 

 winning his race out of the fire. This mile, the third, was run in 

 i : 54 and it gave Bascombe the race. Post Boy had lapped him all 

 the way, and the result was that when they reached the north corner 

 he had not a run left; while Willis, who was going the pace without 

 distress, drew a little upon his horse, and finally won the heat in 

 7:49 with something to spare, in hand, Post Boy pulling up within 

 the distance pole and walking in." 



Just before the bugle sounded for the second heat 

 announcement was made from the Judges' stand that 

 C. W. Van Ranst would present, as a meed of honor to 

 the victor of the contest, the saddle worn by American 

 Eclipse "in the first great strife between Northern and 

 Southern horses, together with his bridle, rider's cap, 



