29 



Lexing-ton. All this goes to show that the Lexingrton mares 

 bred to Leamington are responsible to a marked extent for 

 the latter's success in the stud. 



A thrilling episode of the early turf days, and one not so 

 far back but there will be many who will also remember it, and 

 there are perhaps many who were present and witnessed 

 the occurrence, as I did, occurs. Prince McGrath was as 

 game and honorable a turfman as there was anywhere. He 

 owned Aristides, known as "the little red horse," the winner 

 of the first Kentucky Derby. Of course, Harper thought 

 Ten Broeck was the fastest horse that ever set foot on a 

 track, and, although he never made a wager of any kind, 

 depending solely on the purses and stakes he won for his 

 profit, he was always ready to race his horse. 



While Aristides had won the Derby, he was considered 

 no match for the mighty Ten Broeck, and the people, as a 

 general thing, thought Ten Broeck had the race arranged 

 between them at his mercy. It was for two and five-eighths 

 miles and was over the old Lexington track. The beauty 

 and chivalry of the fair Bluegrass section was gathered there 

 to witness the race. There were bookmakers in plenty on 

 the grounds ready to take the money of those who desired 

 to wager. But Price McGrath mounted a box and shouted 

 to the people : 



" Come on if you want to bet against my horse. 1 will 

 take all your money and give you the same odds the bookies 

 offer. You will lose what you bet anyhow. You might as 

 well give it to a neighbor whom you all know. Come on ; 

 don't be afraid. I am here ready for business. You know 

 me. You know I can pay and that I will do it. Give me 

 your money. I need it." 



He had on a long linen duster with great big pockets, 

 and soon they were bulging with money. He took it in 

 with both hands. Each man kept his own account. Mc- 

 Grath gave out no tickets and depended upon the honor of 

 the bettors to keep a correct account, for everybody was 

 honest in those days and racing had not become the gambling 

 game that it is now. Men told the truth and trickery was 

 unknown. 



They were at the post. Bobby Swim had the mount on 

 the little red horse and Billy Walker, a negro jockey, who 



