324 The American Thowugbhred 



they came together, September 23, in a race of 

 three-mile heats, each confident of victory. The 

 struggle in the first heat was terrible, both horses 

 running with astonishing power, Norfolk passing 

 the winning score with Lodi lapped upon his 

 quarter, in the unprecedented time of 5 minutes 

 27^ seconds. The second heat also was won 

 by Norfolk, in the fast time of 5 minutes 29^ 

 seconds, Lodi gaining coming down the home- 

 stretch, with the right fore foot spurting blood 

 at every stride. The spirit of the blood-horse 

 is unconquerable. He will proudly struggle on 

 through pain and distress, when less heroic 

 animals would give up the contest. 



Distance separated the three Lexingtons ; each 

 had won renown on fields widely apart. Each 

 was claimed the superior of the other, and it was 

 the fond dream of enthusiastic turfmen to bring 

 them together in a race for the honors of su- 

 premacy. But the dream was never realized. 

 The controversy between the friends of Ken- 

 tucky and Asteroid, especially, was marked with 

 much feeling, and the names of the two horses 

 were daily in the mouths of thousands. 



In September, 1866, the people were gratified 

 by the announcement that Asteroid had arrived 



