300 THE TROTTING-HORSE OF AMJSRICA. 



great sensation all over the country; and I must here say, 

 that, in spite of her defeat, many stuck to Flora, and con- 

 tended that the verdict obtained by Princess would be 

 reversed, with heavy costs and damages, when there was a 

 new trial. On the 6th of ^ugust, after a good let-up for 

 Flora to repair her injuries and grow out her quarters, 

 these famous mares again appeared to dispute for victory. 

 It was on the Eclipse Course, mile heats, three in five. 

 Few that witnessed the doings of that memorable day will 

 over forget it. Princess was the favorite at 100 to 80, and 

 everybody looked for a fast race ; but few expected such 

 heats as they saw. The crowd in attendance was very 

 great, but there was not much betting. 



I suppose ninety out of every hundred who were present ex-^ 

 pected to see Flora defeated. I confess that I thought Prin- 

 cess likely to win it ; although I was satisfied, that, when at 

 her best. Flora could trot in twenty in harness. The truth 

 is, that Princess was a little over-rated. It is often the case, 

 that when a trotter wins with great ease, especially if the one 

 defeated is a famous one, a calculation is forthwith made ia 

 which it is assumed, not that the loser was " off," but that 

 the winner is greatly superior. This assumption is com- 

 monly erroneous. Another wide-spread error lies at the 

 bottom of it. In spite of all authority and experience to 

 the contrary, people generally believe that a horse, if there 

 is nothing apparently ailing him, is as good one day as 

 another. This is not so ; and mares, especially in the spring 

 season, aie still more uncertain. Flora was driven by James 

 McMann in this race ; and, as soon as she was brought out 

 and set a-going, I could see that she felt well, and was in 

 fine condition. She Was full of life and spirit ; and her 

 muscle was greatly developed, without much flesh. She 

 meant mischief. In the first heat, she had the inside. At the 

 word she darted to the front, out-footed the Princess to 

 the quarter in thirty-five seconds, and got a lead of about 

 twenty yards. Flora did the half-mile in Im. lO^s. ; and 



