kxatawa's diary. 277 



"He won again at Independence as he pleased. This 

 is the day he was to start here, but rain caused a post- 

 ponement, and it looks now like there would be no more 

 races at this meeting, for which I am more than sorry, 

 as McHenry, who has driven him in his last two races, is 

 confident he can go in 2 103. He is in grand form, and 

 is as handsome as can be. If he gets no start I shall let 

 him step at Louisville." 



Louisville, October 7. — My trainer is an honest, capa- 

 ble man consistent and candid, one everybody respects and 

 every horse loves. I know he wouldn't speak a word 

 he didn't mean. Whoever may read my diary can make 

 a shrewd guess as to his identity. I didn't get a start 

 at Terre Haute on account of the weather, so was shipped 

 over here. It had been raining here, too, so the track 

 was a little soft, and I had to go against the greatest ag- 

 gregation of fast aged horses that ever came together. 

 I won the first heat, but could not "march" as I could 

 have done at some other times. I think it was because 

 I didn't have a chance to practice for the past ten days. 

 I got "downed" for the first time this year, but although 

 defeated, I do not give up yet, and I was against the best 

 in the land, and it is no discredit. Besides, I put up the 

 fastest mile ever made by one of my age in the world, 

 2:053^. They say it's the most wonderful feat of light 

 harness racing history. But I can do a lot better, and 

 I know it. The next time I turn around with those fel- 

 lows I will show them which tree makes shingles ; and 

 next year — well, wait. 



Match trotting for bona fide stakes is almost obsolete. 



