336 THE HOESE. 



is what is called a " fast track," of a springy and elastic nature, 

 whicli is very favorable to tlie stroke of a running horse, and of 

 course conducive to speed. The Union track at Long Island is 

 not so favorable in its character, and it should be borne in mind 

 by those who wish to be particular in these matters, that Lex- 

 ington and Lecomte, both being colts, denominated under the 

 term of " four-year-olds," have neither of them, as yet, carried 

 full weight. In closing, it is also proper for me to state that 

 Lexington carried 3f pounds more of weight in his rider than 

 Lecomte, a circumstance which is the more worthy of mention, 

 as he is 160 pounds the smaller horse. 



My account of the race is now concluded ; for on the time 

 arriving for the second heat, the owner of Lecomte withdrew 

 his horse, and the purse and the laurels were awarded to the 

 " Hunter of Kentucky." 



A full description of Lexington will be found above, on 

 page 305. 



I will add, that no one who saw Lexington walk quietly 

 through the cheering crowd that flocked around him at the close, 

 as if his triumph were a matter he fully understood, doubts that 

 he has sense, memory, and powers of reflection — ^horse sense 

 at least. And yet presumptuous mortals will aver that such an 

 animal has got no soul ! 



In conclusion, and according to racing style, I will now ap- 

 pend the summary : — 



Metairie Course, N. O., Saturday, April 24.— Jockey Club Purse, $1,000, -with an inside stake of 



$2,500 each. Four-mile heats. 

 E. Ten Brocck's b. c. Lexington, by Boston, out of Alice Carneal by Imp. Sarpedon, 



4 yrs., 103 lbs [Gil. Patrick.] 1 1 



T. J. Wells' ch. c. Lecomte, by Boston, out of Eeel by Imp. Glencoe, 4 yrs., 100 lbs. 2 dr. 



TIME. 



Time of 1st mile, 1-494 



Time of 2d mile, 1-51 



Time of 8d mile, 1-51 



Time of 4th mUe 1.52i 



Total time, T.23t 



P. S. — ^Wednesday, April 18, 1855. — My theory is fortified. 

 Inspired by Lexington's exploits, a three-year-old colt, named 

 Henry Perritt, in a race of two-mile heats, whicli took place 

 on the above course yesterday, ran a single mile in the extra- 

 ordinary time of 1.42-^, and this, too, in the first mile of the 



