1 88 Making the American Thoroughbred 



But there were many who thought otherwise, as shown 

 by this letter from Lucius J. Polk, written from "Hamilton 

 Place/' Mt. Pleasant, on April 7. "The betting between 

 Picton and Sarah Bladen," said he, "still goes on, I think 

 with increased vigor; it will be the most spirited betting 

 race that has ever been seen in the Western country; old 

 men and young, 'gals and boys/ are all taking a turn 

 at it." 



Sarah Bladen reached the Nashville race track about 

 May i, to "await with patience the coming contest." 

 A Hopkinsville sportsman who went to Nashville to look 

 over the field, wrote under date of May 4: "The betting 

 about Nashville seems to be in Sarah Bladen's favor; 

 and had Picton never won a 4-mile race, I would incline 

 to the belief that Sarah would beat him. But his race in 

 New York is hard to beat; but with the management of 

 Col. Elliott, and the training of Col. Watson, and the 

 strength and stride of Sarah, and a sandy track, the 

 laurels may be plucked from the gallant little Luzborough." 



This contest between the House of Luzborough and the 

 House of Leviathan was the most important event in 

 Tennessee in 1838 in the estimation of thousands of 

 people then living. For months before, it was the con- 

 trolling factor in determining plans for the future. The 

 conclusion of the race was the time agreed upon in advance 

 when men would pay their debts. Trips to Texas, North 

 Carolina, and Mississippi and other states were postponed 

 until after the date of this contest. Horses were fattened 

 to sell on that day, and the buying of carriages was planned 

 to take place after the race had been run. Even Cupid 

 had to stand aside for the time being two young people 

 in Maury County fixed their wedding day for "some day 

 after the race." 



These things were recorded at the time as solemn truths 



