196 The American Thoroughbred 



was given to ' clear the course.' Cato, called 

 Cate, in a richly embroidered scarlet dress, was 

 put upon Wagner; he is a capital jockey, and 

 rode nearly up to his weight, no pounds. The 

 rider engaged for Gray Eagle lost the confi- 

 dence of his owners just before the race, and at 

 the eleventh hour they were obliged to hunt up 

 another. Stephen Welch was selected, though 

 obliged to carry 13 pounds deadweight in shot- 

 pouches on his saddle ! The friends of Gray 

 Eagle, however, had entire confidence in his 

 honesty; and it is clear that he did his best, 

 though, weighing as he did but 82 pounds, he 

 had neither the strength nor stamina to hold and 

 control a powerful, fiery horse like Gray Eagle. 

 He rode superbly for a lad of his years, while 

 Cato's exhibition of skill and judgment would 

 have done credit to Gil Patrick. The horses took 

 their places in accordance with the precedence 

 of their nomination for the stake, Gray Eagle 

 having the inside track. Queen Mary, second, 

 Hawk-Eye, third, and Wagner, the outside. 

 Just at this moment, Mr. Ward, the president 

 of the club, dislodged the band from their seats 

 over the judges' stand, and Mr. Clay, Judge 

 Porter, Judge Rowan, our friend Colonel Whet- 



