178 Making the American Thoroughbred 



As such contest it excited great interest among the people 

 of the two states named and, also, among devotees of the 

 turf throughout the Union. The extent of the popular 

 interest is indicated by the reports of events at Louisville 

 where enthusiasts commenced to gather two weeks before 

 the day set for the fates of Kentucky and Tennessee. 

 Louisville at the time had about 15,000 population, all 

 told. 



"The town is crowded with strangers from all parts of 

 the Union," wrote The Spirit of the Times correspondent on 

 September 20. "The stages and steamboats still continue 

 to bring in crowds. All the hotels are actually crammed. 

 It would do you good to witness the anxious looks after 

 the first bell rings for dinner, all are so eager to make the 

 first rush. I presume the excitement in this part of the 

 world to be much greater than it was in New York during 

 the conflict between Bascombe and Post Boy." 



"Perhaps no race in the Union ever excited greater or 

 more intense interest," said a Louisville Journal corre- 

 spondent. 



"The excitement produced by this contest," said The 

 Lexington Observer and Reporter, "has never before been 

 equaled in the West." 



On the i Qth both Angora and Rodolph were exhibited 

 to "a large assemblage of gentlemen." "They were both 

 admired and reflected great credit upon their trainers, 

 Mr. Williams and Mr. S. Burbridge. Several bets were 

 made even, though Angora is the favorite." So wrote 

 The Spirit man the day before the race was run. 



Ten thousand people saw the race. The "magnates of 

 the land, friend and foe in the political arena, met on the 

 turf in cordial friendship." Among the spectators were 

 Col. A. L. Bingaman and Gov. Poindexter, of Mississippi; 

 Judge Porter of Louisiana; Gen. Desha, Col. George 



