WINNEKS OF 1830. 153 



larger volumes than these, within which I have to confine my 

 entire subject. 



From this time forward, therefore, the course which I shall 

 adopt, is to mention briefly the most distinguished horses which 

 have succeeded one another, in the succession of years, describ- 

 ing shortly the races which have exhibited any very decided 

 improvement in point of time, so as to mark the progressive 

 advance of speed and the gain of power and pace, as well as of 

 courage, in the animal, year after year. 



In connection with this, I shall note the establishment of such 

 new courses as have tended to the improvement of the horse, 

 and shall dwell something at length on the pedigrees — where in 

 .any sort attainable — the characteristics and performances of the 

 extraordinary animals, wliich have manifested of late years such 

 surpassing powers on the trotting-turf, and in the result have 

 rendered this, during the latter quarter of the nineteenth cen- 

 tnry, pre-eminently the popular amusement of American horse- 

 men. 



During the year 1830, Topgallant, Whalebone, and Sweet- 

 brier continued to keep at the top of the crowd ; Bull Calf, 

 Buster, Comet, Terry, and Sir Peter being the most celebrated 

 of their competitors, and running them pretty hard to preserve 

 their laurels. 



The best time, for two-mile heats, during this year, was 

 5m. 22s. — 5m. 21s. ; and for three miles, 8m. 26s. — 8m. 27s. — 

 8m. 41s.— 8m. 56s. 



Whalebone and Sweetbrier did six miles in 18m. 52s., the 

 course being heav}^, and the horses being backed to make the 

 distance inside of 17m. Time, however, for once proved the 

 victor. On the 12th of February, 1831, " the Maine Associa- 

 tion for Improvement in the Breed of Horses," was set on 

 foot by some of the most distinguished and influential gentlemen 

 of that State, with power, also, to hold fairs, exhibitions, and 

 trials of speed and power. 



1 am not aware, however, that much was accomplished in 

 that State, in the trotting line, until recently — a trotting course 

 being now in the full tide of success at Bangor, whereas, if I am 

 not in error, none existed in the State some twelve or thirteen 

 years since. 



