Ttirf Affairs of California 355 



preferred to take the off chance on Joe Daniels 

 when it came out that True Blue's jockey had 

 instructions to make the running from the start, 

 with the object of distancing the others in the 

 first heat. This was without doubt a great error 

 of judgment, for it turned out that Joe Daniels 

 not only had the foot of True Blue, but greater 

 staying qualities besides. 



Soon everything was in readiness, and about 

 a quarter to three o'clock the horses were sent 

 away on their first journey. Thad Stevens was 

 next the rails, then True Blue and Mamie Hall, 

 with the son of Australia on the extreme 

 outside. 



First heat. The bell was tapped and the 

 race commenced at the first attempt. Joe 

 Daniels and Thad Stevens went off at a good 

 gait. Before going far the Californian went to 

 the front, and at the quarter there was an open 

 length of daylight between him and True Blue, 

 who had given Joe Daniels the go-by on the 

 turn, Mamie Hall bringing up the rear. They 

 ran in this order until the head of the home- 

 stretch was reached, where the mare took up the 

 running, and as they passed the stand in the 

 first mile (2.03) she was leading Thad Stevens 



