THE PEDIGKEES, 



PERFORMANCES, AND CHARACTERISTICS 



OP 



WAGNER AND GEEY EAGLE. 



At no time, probably, since the commencement of horse-racing 

 in America, has the Turf stood higher, or been more ably repre- 

 sented, than in the year 1839. 



In that year Boston, probably the best race-horse that ever 

 ran on an American track, was in his prime, and almost, one 

 might say, unbeaten ; for having started twenty-five times, and 

 received forfeit twice, he had suffered but two defeats, one, in his 

 very first race, having bolted while running on the lead and 

 looking like a winner ; the other, in a race of two-mile heats at 

 Petersburgh, Virginia, in which he was outfooted by Ports- 

 mouth. 



In that year ran "Wagner, G-ano, Treasurer, Clarion, Balie 

 Peyton, Portsmouth, Decatur, and Grey Eagle ; and the mares 

 Omega, Andi-ewetta, Sarah Bladen, and others scarcely inferior 

 in renown. 



The crack mare Fashion, in her two-year-old form, had not 

 come upon the scene of her triumphs, and the day when the 

 matchless Boston should find his match was not yet, even in 

 anticipation. 



Not one of the animals named above, but was a real race- 

 horse, a good one and no mistake, though differing in excellence 

 the one from the other. 



All had their sanguine fi-iends and backers, and more than 

 one was believed by his own especial partisans to be invincible. 



