The House of Lexington 325 



at Jerome Park, had come from the West to 

 meet Kentucky on the theatre of his triumphs. 

 He was engaged to run in the Inauguration 

 Stake, at Jerome Park, and Kentucky could not 

 avoid meeting him here. When it was known 

 that Asteroid had left his paddock at Woodburn 

 to journey East, the excitement was intense in 

 turf circles, and the trains brought to New York 

 crowds from all parts of the Union, even from 

 far-off Texas. The coming race was the all- 

 absorbing topic of conversation. Every morning 

 hundreds of visitors went out to Jerome Park to 

 see the horses at work. Asteroid was one of the 

 grandest looking horses that ever trod the turf, 

 and one had but to see him to learn to admire. 

 Kentucky was also a magnificent appearing ani- 

 mal, and his friends maintained confidence in 

 his prowess. 



But one Sunday morning a gloom fell upon all 

 hearts. Lip spoke to lip, and the intelligence 

 rapidly spread that Asteroid had broken down 

 in a trial gallop in the mud — had sprung a 

 tendon, and his career as a racer was abruptly 

 brought to a close. The disappointment was 

 great. Sad faces were seen on all the drives 

 leading to the Park ; and, as the story was told. 



