PBTOR AND LECOMTE. 349 



both instances he was compelled to yield the palm of snperi- 

 oritj to her powers — the latter race of two-mile heats was the 

 longest distance he had ever run. In his race with Le Eoi, 

 three days previously, he had developed extraordinary fleetuess, 

 and the purity of his blood, and the general excellence of his 

 form, gave promise ot endurance which lured his trainer to the 

 desperate chance of attacking even so formidable a rival as the 

 renowned Lecomte, of Y.26 memory. A better bred or more 

 gallant steed ne'er struck the ground than Pryor, and in this 

 contest well and nobly has he sustained the exalted reputation 

 that his ancestoi's, on the maternal side, years long gone by, 

 established upon the American Turf by their glorious achieve- 

 ments. 



The Pharsalia Course, at best a slow one, according to esti- 

 mates of those who, for many years, have trained and run 

 horses upon it, was not less than from twelve to fifteen seconds 

 slower than in its best condition, and yet the time made upon 

 this occasion, if I have not been misinformed, was better than 

 au}^ every before made upon the course. This speaks trumpet- 

 tongued, and fully explains the superiority of the contestants, 

 and the excellence of their condition. 



There was but little betting at the commencement of the 

 race — 100 to 15 in some instances — 100 to 20 for a while cur- 

 rent — more hundreds than twenties on Lecomte. « 



The lack of changes or variety in the race, precludes the 

 necessity of a very lengthy description. It was evident, from 

 the start, that the instructions to Pryor's rider were, " wait and 

 win," and he fulfilled them to the letter, and rode the race 

 throughout in a style that would have given credit to Gil. Pa- 

 trick. 



Pryor went ofi* with the lead, but resigned it to Lecomte at 

 the commencement of the back stretch, and took position about 

 three lengths in his rear. These positions were but slightly 

 changed during three and a half miles, the pace, however, visi- 

 bly increased in the second and third miles. On the fourth mile 

 they were running at tell-tale stroke. Just after passing the 

 half-mile post, Pryor made play, and, by a terrific burst of 

 speed, passed his competitor like a dart, amidst the most un- 

 earthly and deafening shouts I ever heard. The run home was 



