326 TiTR horst:. 



ance, caused a very general excitement, each party in turn 

 expressing his views as to the right of the points discussed ; 

 namely, that of allowing horses to start with Lexington, to urge 

 hi in to an increased speed, and the propriety of giving the horse 

 a running start. 



The judges, however, ended the matter by deciding that he 

 could do both. 



The decision gave very general satisfaction. 



Gil Patrick, upon Lexington, now prepared for action, and 

 as he started up the stretch upon his proud courser, to do that 

 which no other horse had ever attempted, the man and horse 

 formed a beautiful and perfect picture. He turned him around 

 just below the drawgates, and as he reached the judges' stand, 

 when the drum tapped, he m^ as at the pace which it was intended 

 he should run. To our mind, he was run too fast the first mile, 

 which he accomplished in 1 : 47^ — the first half mile in fifty- 

 three seconds. Upon reaching the stand, it M^as intimated to 

 him to go slower, which he did. 



Joe Blackburn was started behind him at the beginning of 

 the first mile, but the respectful distance he kept in his rear 

 must certainly have done him an injury rather than a benefit, 

 for at no time was he near enough for Lexington to hear the 

 sound of his hoofs. 



The pace in the second mile visibly decreased ; Arrow, who 

 was started before its commencement, waiting about thirty 

 yards behind Lexington. In the third mile Arrow closed the 

 gap, and Lexington, hearing him, was a little more anxious, 

 and slightly increased his pace. Upon entering the fourth mile, 

 Arrow was stopped, and Joe Blackburn went at him again, but, 

 as in the first instance, he was " like chips in porridge," of no 

 benefit. Lexington darted off in earnest, running the last mile 

 in 1 : 48f . He reached the head of the front stretch in 6 : 55, 

 running its entire length in 24f seconds. The whole time of the 

 four miles in 7 : 19f , carrying 103 pounds — Gil Patrick being 

 three pounds overweight. 



That the course was in admirable condition, we need not 

 assert, but that we have seen it in better order for safety and 

 for time, we think we may assert. The writei- of this was not 

 present when Lexington and Lecomte met last spring, and can 



