CHAPTEE XXVI. 



OLD TIME TROTTERS. — Concluded. 



Dexter, place of breeding and pedigree — Recognized "king of the trotting 

 turf " — Commenced turf career in 1864 and ended in 1867 — His great 

 race with Ethan Allen — General Grant's ride after Dexter — Died ia 

 1888 aged thirty years — American Girl — Birth and pedigree — Sold 

 for $3,500 — A great race winner — Died in harness — Monument 

 erected to her memory. 



DEXTBE. 



IN" April, 1858, at the farm of Jonathan Hawkins, in Orange 

 county, jNj_J-. the black mare Clara by Seeley's American 

 Star, a rapid and gamy road mare, dropped to the cover of 

 Hambletonian, a brown colt with four white feet and legs and 

 a white face, which was, in due time, gelded, and at the age of 

 four years was purchased by George B. Alley of JSTew York 

 city. He was then christened Dexter and placed in the hands 

 of that veteran trainer, Hiram Woodruff, for development. 

 His speed came to him quickly, and in a few years he was 

 recognized as king of the trotting turf. 



John Murphy rode him in his saddle race when he beat the 

 2.19f of Flora Temple, but Budd Doble drove him in nearly 

 all of his memorable contests. The first time he met Gold- 

 smith Maid was at Middletown in 1867, and he easily defeated 

 her. 



After this he beat her in faster time, as he also did such 

 prominent performers as General Butler, George Wilkes, Lady 

 Thorne, George M. Patchen, Jr Silas Eich, Tackey, and 

 Bashaw, Jr. 



He began his turf career in 1864 and ended it in 1867. In 

 three years he had conquered the world and was retired for 

 the reason that there were no more honors to be won. 



His record of 2.17^ was made at Buffalo, August 14, 1867, 



and Mr. Bonner bought him for $35,000. 



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