VII 

 HAYNIE'S MARIA AGAINST THE WORLD 



Haynie's Maria was a most extraordinary race nag at 

 all distances, probably not inferior to any that has ap- 

 peared in America since her day. She was bred by Bennett 

 Goodman, of Virginia, who moved to North Carolina 

 where Maria was foaled in the spring of 1808. From 

 North Carolina Goodman removed to Tennessee and, in 

 the fall of 1809, sold Maria to Capt. Jesse Haynie of 

 Sumner County. She was one of the last of imp Diomed's 

 get, when 30 years of age. Her first dam was by Tayloe's 

 Bellair; second dam by Symmes' Wildair; third dam by 

 imported Othello, out of an imported mare. 



She was a dark chestnut, exactly 15 hands high; pos- 

 sessing great strength, muscular power and symmetry; 

 the perfect model of a race horse. 



Maria commenced her turf career at three years of age 

 and ran all distances from a quarter of a mile to 4-mile 

 heats. 



In the fall of 1811 she ran a sweepstake over the Nash- 

 ville Course, entrance $100, 2-mile heats, beating Gen. 

 Jackson's colt, Decatur, by Truxton; Col. Robert BelPs 

 filly by imp Diomed; and four others; all distanced the 

 first heat except Bell's filly. 



This defeat aroused the ire and combative spirit of 

 Gen. Jackson almost as much as did his defeat by Mr. 

 Adams for the Presidency; and he swore "by the Eternal" 

 he would beat her if a horse could be found in the United 

 States able to do it. 



