228 THE IIOKSE. 



Slender was the favorite at odds against the fiohl. During 

 the training of Betsey Kansom, the fall j^revions, she liad let 

 down in the hack sinew of one fore leg, and was tlien purchased, 

 bj Mr, Livingston, as unsound. By the aid of blisters, and that 

 grand specific of nature, rest, she had, to appearance, so far sur- 

 mounted this accident as to induce Mr. Livingston, prior to the 

 1st of January, 1830, to nominate her for this stake ; but unfor- 

 tunately, her leg could not stand the exercise required to get 

 four mile length into her. She complained much — ^lier work 

 was of necessity curtailed, and her gallops, at times, discon- 

 tinued. She came to the post by much too high in flesh, and 

 her leg much swollen — it was madness to start her. Black 

 Maria fell far short of tip-top order, while Slender was all and 

 all the thing. The race is thus described. 



" They got off well together, Maria taking the lead, followed 

 closely by Betsey Kansom — Slender trailing a little. Li this 

 way they went along at a clever rate, all in hand, for the first 

 mile and a quarter, each waiting for the other to make play. 

 In ffoino; down the back stretch in the second mile, Slender let 

 out a little, lapped Betsey, and ran up to Maria, whose rider set 

 her upon her legs, and all three went the pace, until they arrived 

 at the rise of the ground, at the termination of the straight run, 

 on the back side. Here Billy Clark took the bay mare firmly 

 in hand, while Maria led round the north turn, with Betsey 

 close up. When they entered upon the quarter stretch, toward 

 the termination of the second round. Slender again let out, and 

 all came up the straight run at a rattling rate, the black mare 

 still leading the gray in her former position, and the bay still 

 waiting upon them. Thus they entered upon the third mile, 

 and passed round the south turn. When they arrived at the 

 commencement of the straight run, on the back part, it was 

 evident that Betsey faltered — her fine regular stride was gone — 

 she clambered, and was all abroad. Slender passed in her 

 steady stroke. Betsey continued to drop rapidly, and, being 

 completely let down, was stopped, near the termination of the 

 third mile. Maria and Slender were now going the last mile, 

 and had advanced full half way round the first turn ; the latter 

 collected and in hand, ready for a dash. As soon as they com- 

 menced the stretch, on the back side, she made play, ran up and 



