1 82 The American Tboroiigbbred 



Virginia Taylor won the first heat of that 

 memorable contest. Black Maria's boy had orders 

 to save distance only in the first heat. But in 

 spite of his utmost exertions to restrain her, she 

 looked at one time as if she would win the first 

 heat in spite of the pull on her. In the next two 

 heats she simply killed off her competitors by the 

 terrible pace she set, and she won both of them 

 quite easily. 



The race on Long Island is memorable for the 

 magnificent courage shown by Black Maria in 

 the winning of it. The race at the first meeting 

 of the Mar),dand Jockey Club was memorable 

 because the elite of the then United States had 

 gathered there to watch the contest and to give 

 applause to the giant black mare who represented 

 the North. 



Not enough glory had Mr. Stevens gained when 

 his great animal won this inaugural race at Balti- 

 more. He did not wait longer than three days to 

 bring her out again at four-mile heats against 

 'trifle, Collier, and May-day. Black Maria was 

 stiff and sore from her race of only a few hours 

 previous, but in spite of that, such was her repu- 

 tation, she was made the favorite over the field. 

 The best she could do was to again display that 



