240 The American Thorougbhred 



Boston beat him decisively, the friends of Deca- 

 tur thought that their horse was not fit, and the 

 following week, over at the Beacon Course, 

 Decatur was again sent against " Old White- 

 nose." Again Boston defeated him in straight 

 heats. 



That race took place on the 9th of November, 

 and it closed the career of Boston as a five-year- 

 old. He won nine jockey club purses at four- 

 mile heats, walked over for a three-mile purse, 

 received $1000 to withdraw from two other 

 races, and lost one heat. 



The next spring, that is to say, in 1839, Boston 

 had a match on with a colt called Portsmouth, at 

 two-mile heats. He was started absolutely unfit, 

 and Portsmouth outran him in both heats and 

 beat him easily. Portsmouth was trained to a day, 

 and Boston was as big as a bull. The race did 

 him good, however, and benefited him so much 

 that ten days after that he started at three-mile 

 heats on the Broad Rock Course in Virginia and 

 won in straight heats in his own way. The first 

 heat, which was run in 5.46, was pronounced the 

 fastest ever run over the Broad Rock track. 



And then he went on through that season of 

 1839 and made a record for himself which has 



