352 The American Tboroughbred 



ton out of Balloon, io8 pounds; Joe Daniels, 

 four years, by Australian out of Dolly Carter, io8 

 pounds; Hubbard, four years, by Planet out of 

 Minnie Mansfield, io8 pounds; and Mamie Hall, 

 aged, by Norfolk. Of these the speedy son of 

 Planet was the only absentee, he having gone 

 amiss in his training several days prior to the 

 race. Had he come to the post in good con- 

 dition, the interest would have been greatly 

 augmented, and he would have received strong 

 support. As it was, however, the race was the 

 only topic of conversation during the week, and 

 speculation as to the result was general. Every- 

 body that was anybody had an opinion to venti- 

 late. Thad Stevens was very naturally " booked " 

 by the Californians, and his victory over Joe 

 Daniels but a month previously, when he won a 

 second heat in 7.30 (the best second heat then 

 on record) clearly indicated that he was worthy 

 of being rated with the best long-distance horses 

 of the day. Joe Daniels had also many friends 

 who laid their money without fear ; and the most 

 recent arrival from the East, True Blue, was 

 highly thought of. But many argued that the 

 latter's long journey by rail put the chances of 

 his winning beyond the range of possibility, and 



