THE TURF AND THE TROTTING HORSE. 543 



abundance, where bone and muscle are needed in trotting. Flat- 

 bush Maid is of the same height, but of heavier build. She has 

 the compact and solid form and vigorous action, which indicate 

 ability to carry weight and trot a long race. In the preliminary 

 skirmishes, previous to starting, it became apparent that both 

 were in the best condition for the trial. Mr. Bonner now gave 

 them a turn around the course, gradually increasing the rate of 

 speed, and passed over the score for the trial at a flying gait. The 

 quarter pole was passed in 38 seconds, and, urged on to their 

 utmost endeavor, the team increased the pace, and crossed the 

 score in 2 m. 32 s. But Mr. Bonner did not stop them at the 

 end of the first mile. He pushed straight forward for the second 

 mile, rightly estimating that in the first half of the first mile they 

 had not been quite up to the mark. But they were now fully 

 down to the work. They moved with the steadiness of a locomo- 

 tive, and as they came upon the home-stretch, they appeared to 

 put forth all their strength. The eyes of thousands were upon 

 them as they came flying on ; and as they passed over the score, 

 they were greeted with a general exclamation of delight and a 

 universal clapping of hands. The time had not been announced, 

 but all were satisfied that it was a great improvement upon the 

 previous record, though few were prepared to hear 2 m. 28 f s. 

 announced from the judges' stand. This made the time of the 

 two miles 5m. li s. It was entirely unprecedented; the best 

 time on record being that of Lady Suffolk and Rifle, of two miles 

 in 5 m. 19 s., made May 31, 1842, and of one mile in 2 m. 42 s., 

 by Lantern and Whalebone in 1856. After learning the time in 

 which his horses had trotted, Mr. Bonner publicly declared that, 

 while it was a rule with him never to make a bet, he would pre- 

 sent ten thousand dollars as a gift to any gentleman who owned a 

 team, if he would drive them in the time just made by Lady 

 Palmer and Flatbush Maid ; and this, although the time was not 

 so good by nearly three seconds as that of a private trial, namely, 

 2 m. 26 s., made a few days previous. 



This great feat, and the circumstances out of which it arose, 

 had more influence in drawing public attention to driving the 

 trotting horse than any other single occurrence in his whole his- 

 tory. Mr. Bonner's refusal to bet somewhat dispelled the fancy 

 that it was impossible to own a fast horse without using him for 

 gambling purposes; which fancy had arisen from the fact that 

 running horses in America are of no use except upon the turf. 

 Taken with the established popularity of driving, and the in- 

 creased facilities for it provided in trotting-parks and improved 

 roads, that refusal assisted in making the use of the fast trotting 

 horse general, and in freeing a perfectly innocent and healthful 



