28o The American Tborougbhred 



proud glances from fierce eyes, determined, ap- 

 parently, to win or die. Lexington this time 

 led the way from the score for nearly two miles 

 by about two lengths, when on coming down the 

 stretch and passing the stands to enter on the 

 third mile, Lecompte, who had been bottled up, 

 commenced his great brush, overhauled Lexing- 

 ton, and passed him. 



" Both now did their best, and the third mile 

 was a constant strife throughout for the lead, 

 and the quickest in the race, being run in 1.46; 

 but Lecompte, although so hard pushed, never 

 wavered, but ran evenly and steadily along about 

 two lengths ahead. 



" On the first turn of the fourth mile, Lexington, 

 who at that point was nearly up to his rival, for a 

 moment gave back and lost his stride ; but he at 

 once recovered it and pushed on with vigor, but 

 with evidently great effort. All was of no use, 

 for Lecompte came home a winner by four 

 lengths in the astonishing time of 7.38I, dis- 

 tancing Reube. 



" For more than twenty years the race of Eclipse 

 and Henry over the Union Course, Long Island, 

 on May 27, 1823, was the quickest on record. 

 The shortest heat in that race was 7.37^. In 



