100 



rivals have been well rubbed and groomed, and have started again for 

 the 



Third heat. — Countess led off as before, Bostona second, and Shark 

 a little in the rear, but close upon the heels of the Countess — Shark 

 was evidently waiting for Bostona to show her hand and make play, 

 keeping in such a position, that if she failed to do so within a certain 

 time, to be able to win the race in a brush in the last quarter. Bostona 

 not drawing nearer the Countess than when they first started, at the 

 gates, about a half a mile from home, Shark was seen gathering himself 

 up for mischief, " to do or die" — a hard struggle ensued — tlie three 

 were close together — they were side by side, neck and neck : it was 

 anybody's race ; they came up the quarter stretch at a rattling rate, 

 with a speed that seemed to outstrip the wind. The struggle was be- 

 coming more and more exciting every jump. The Jockey on Shark 

 pushing his faithful horse to the utmost, kept his eyes fixed upon his 

 rivals, as if intent upon measuring their powers, that he might the bet- 

 ter judge when he should make his final efi'ort — neck and neck still 

 they hung upon each other — even within a few yards of the finish, 

 neither had the advantage — up to the last stride the result was in doubt 

 — then came the climax of anxious excitement — with great skill and 

 coolness, worthy a Nat, a Chifney or a Robinson, (the crack riders of 

 England,) the boy on Shark lifted his horse from the ground, and 

 landed him first at the post by a head only ! No sooner was the result 

 proclaimed, than there instantly " rose from earth to heaven the wild 

 Hurra" — there was a simultaneous burst of enthusiasm, we never heard 

 equalled upon our Course, a striking contrast to the breathless anxiety 

 that pi'evailed a moment before. The close lines of people on either 

 side of the Course suddenly broke up — the roped arena was thronged — 

 crowds following and cheering the winning horse as he returned to the 

 scales, imparting a new liveliness to the scene, while others were rush- 

 ing about in delight, and brightened countenances, to receive the bets 

 they had won. It was quite delightful to see even the losers paying 

 their money with a good grace, satisfied to pay a little for such a result. 

 The last mile in the third heat was run in 1 m. 57 sec, and we must 

 not omit to mention, in justice to Bostona, that she ran this heat under 

 great disadvantages, the saddle having slipt soon after she started. Our 

 great surprise was, that the rider held on as well as he did, for he fre- 

 quently had to put his hands down her neck, to keep himself upon her 

 back. 



