226 THE IICKSE. 



Maria's style of going was remarkably strong and steady, and 

 her stride was tremendous ; in brushing, she covered twenty- 

 four feet at a stroke. That she united unflinching game, and a 

 remarkable turn of speed, to that particularly fine idea of " per- 

 petual motion " which characterized her illustrious ancestry, 

 the subjoined record of her performances will abundantly de- 

 monstrate. Baxter, who brought Dosoris and Fordham to the 

 post for their maiden races in such superb condition, was her 

 first trainer, and Alfred Conover, tlie present capital trainer of 

 Mr. Robert L. Stevens, had the honor of first throwing his leg 

 over her back. She won her first four-mile race in the hands 

 of Frederick, " the yellow man," and subsequently was trained 

 by John Buckley, David Palmer, and Flintofi", though Buckley 

 trained her for most of her great races. 



1829. Union Course, Long Island, Saturday, Oct. 8— Produce Match, $5,000 each, h. ft., Two-mile 



heats. 

 John C. Stevens' bl. f. Black Maria, by Eclipse, out of Lady Lightfoot by Sir Archy, 3 yrs. 



STlbs 11 



Col. Wm. E. Johnson's br. c. Brilliant, by Sir Archy, out of Bet Bonnce— Arab's dam— by 



imp. Sir Harry, 3 yrs. 90 lbs 2 2 



Time, 4.01—3.58. Track heavy. 



This match was made on blood, before either animal was 

 foaled, and naturally excited a good deal of interest. It was 

 ISTorth versus South again. It being the first appearance of 

 both performers, little or nothing was known, even by " men of 

 business," of the speed or endurance oi either. Maria looked 

 like " a good 'un," but then Brilliant was bi-ought to the post 

 by that first-rate judge and crack trainer. Col. Johnson, who 

 showed he knew a " hawk from a handsaw," by ofi'ering to pay 

 $1750 to be oft"; but this was " no go " — t'other party " know'd 

 Bum'ut " too, and wouldn't bite. The Colonel knew the black 

 lady to be well-born and well-bred ; but thinking she might 

 turn out, as many others with the same advantages have done, 

 no better than she should be, he determined, rather than pay 

 the $2,500, to start Brilliant, and so " threw the helve after the 

 hatchet." The pace for the first mile was " as slow as foot could 

 fall," and for three-quarters of the second it was any thing but 

 a racing one. At the quarter stake Brilliant let loose, and 

 gained two or three lengths by the rush. This awoke the boy 



