LIFE WITH THE TEOTTEES. 443 



next to the outside, the colt ahead of you had the pole, you 

 have overtaken him at a disadvantage, which convinces you 

 that you have the most speed. It is not best to overdo 

 things and make a break. Gradually draw ahead and you 

 will win easily. Turn around carefully, avoiding a collision, 

 with the other colts who come straggling along, dismount 

 only by permission from the judges, have the colt unlatched 

 from the sulky to avoid accident and attend strictly to Ms 

 care for the next heat. 



You look at the time-board and see you have won the 

 heat in one minute and twenty-seven seconds (1:27), a good 

 performance for a Northern-bred yearling in August in a 

 field of five starters. They all come out to start for the 

 next heat, as there is no distance recognized in half-mile 

 heats, which is vn-ong, as there should never be any such 

 race given, otherwise there should be a distance to prevent 

 collusion in a close race. 



The second heat you start away with the pole, and go 

 through the regular scoring again, as the boys, if they can 

 not win, are bound to try hard. Keep well up in your posi- 

 tion at the pole, for it leaves you in an awkward place to lose 

 your place going around the first turn. The judges will 

 claim to protect you, but will often overlook it, when the 

 others are well in line, and it is best for you to look out for 

 your own interest a little in this respect. Do not get care- 

 less and think you have a sure thing because you won the 

 first heat, for a very little mismanagement will lose a race. 

 With a fair start you get away and have no trouble to win, 

 holding your position easily all the way. This heat is 1:26 

 and the colt was not pushed hard to win. All admire him 

 and can see wonderful possibilities in Ids future. You are 

 proud of him, as are all of the fellows from your section. 

 Now you feel amply paid for your perseverance and close 

 attention to all the little details of rearing and breaking. 

 Several colts in the race had as much speed as your colt, 

 showed faster in places, and would have won but for some 



cause which ought not to have existed. 

 2y 



