264 The American Tborougbbred 



Boston or Eclipse. It was certainly a splendid 

 race, one of the best run in America, and faster 

 than any two heats run by Boston." 



And now comes a description of that match 

 contest, the North vs. the South, which is so 

 much a part of our turf history that it cannot be 

 overlooked in this connection. 



It was on a May day in 1842. Fashion was 

 pronounced by all judges to be fit as a mare 

 could be. Boston, according to his trainer, 

 needed a little more seasoning to run such a 

 bruising race as was expected of him. Notwith- 

 standing Taylor's uneasiness, the Boston people 

 were full of confidence. Boston's running was 

 directed by Colonel Johnson. Gil Patrick, his 

 usual jockey, was in the saddle. Fashion was 

 mounted by Joe Laird, son of the trainer. 



The Race 



'"'First heat. Boston, on the inside, went away 

 with the lead at a rattling pace, the mare lying 

 up within two lengths of him, down the straight 

 run on the back-stretch ; the half-mile was run in 

 55 seconds. The same position was maintained 

 to the end of the mile (run in 1.53), but soon 



