I02 The American Thoroughbred 



in the fall of 1808, for the Great Stakes, two-mile 

 heats, at Fairfield, Richmond, Va. Some seven 

 started. Won by True Blue, beating Sir Archy, 

 Wrangler, Palafox, Virginius, Molock, and one 

 other. No time given. He was again beaten at 

 Washington City, by Bright Phoebus by Mes- 

 senger, full sister to Miller's Damsel, Eclipse's 

 dam. Distance and time not given. In both of 

 these races he was laboring under distemper, and 

 that quick observer, Colonel William R. Johnson, 

 purchased him for $1500. 



At four years old, in his first race at Fairfield, 

 for the Annual Post Stakes, he was successful 

 against a good field. Distance and time not 

 given. 



In the following week Sir Archy and Wrangler 

 met for the Jockey Club Purse, four-mile heats, 

 at Newmarket. Won by Wrangler. The last 

 heat was so close that the judges hesitated some 

 time before awarding it to Wrangler. Colonel 

 William R. Johnson, the owner of Sir Archy, was 

 so set upon his champion that he then and there 

 proposed to Colonel Selden, the owner of Wran- 

 gler, a match between the horses for another heat. 

 And amidst the great excitement of the time 

 Colonel Selden was forced to decline the chal- 



