I4^hat a Tbowugbbred Mare may do 177 



fourth, and won the fifth. She was contending 

 at the end of every four miles. The track was 

 slow and heavy from recent rains. 



We wonder if there is a horse on the turf 

 to-day that could stand up under such a perform- 

 ance as this? We fear not; for unfortunately, 

 the English dash system of racing has become 

 too popular on this side of the Atlantic for the 

 good of our stock. We have learned to look too 

 much for speed and to pay too little attention to 

 the more valuable quality of endurance. The 

 speedy horse, without lasting powers, is simply 

 ornamental. The horse that can go fast and long 

 is not only ornamental but useful. He is of some 

 practical account, even when no longer able to 

 carry the colors to the front when opposed by 

 younger and more nimble companions. It is a 

 sad commentary upon our system of racing when 

 a purse for a contest of four miles — a four-mile 

 dash, not heats, please bear in mind — fails to 

 secure a run worthy of the name of race. 



Not everything is said about this Black 

 Maria when we are told she won the greatest 

 endurance four-mile race ever brought off in this 

 or any other man's land. There is no record 

 of any performing mare on the American turf 



