Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-06-05
THE GREAT RACE

the sum at stake as the reputation to be
acquired by the successful party in the
great contest, we subjoin from the New
York Evening Post the best and most
description which appeared
on the subject. There is slight varia-
ton in the statements of the time occu-
pied in running the first heat-the edi-
tor of the New-York Gazette says it
was run in the unprecedented period of
minutes 81 seconds editors Of the
National Advocate say the time occu-
pied was nearly 7 minutes SO seconds
the editor Of the American says the heat
was run in the extraordinary short time
of 7 minutes and 80 seconds and the
editors Of the other papees say that the
whole time employed in running the
first heat was 7 minutes and 20 seconds,
precisely the time occupied by the cele-
brated horse Childers in running the
long course at NEWMARKET, Eng. which
however, is represented TO be more
than quarter over four miles in length.
The speed with which the whole race
was run, being an average of about
minutes and So seconds for each heat,
allowing for the variation of time in the
different statements, affords no parallel
in the sporting annals of any country,
and proves that for fleetnees and bottom
the VIRGINIA horse Henry, although but
four years old, may be Justly ranked as
one among the finest and swiftest horses
in the world.-BaEt Fed Gag.
From the .Felc- York Ecening Post of
Wednesday.
Yesterday the match race between
Eclipse and southern horse called
Henry, was run over the Union course.
1t will be recollected that the gentlemen
from New FORK, while in attendance
on the match race last fall at. Washing
ton city, between Eclipse & Sir Charles
offered to run the former this spring on
the Long Island course, for $4,000 "a
gainst any horse that could be produced
in the United States or elsewhere, and
gave the Southern gentlemen, from that
time, November, 1922 to the time of
starting, to look round and name their
horse. The challenge was readily ac-
cepted, and $4,000 fixed on as the sum
to be forfeited in case either party de-
elined running the race. A number of
horses were put in training for the oc-
casion, but only two, viz. Henry and
Betsey Richards, were brought on from
the south, who it was Judged could con-
tend with Eclipse, and which Of these
two were to run the race, remained a
secret, unilthe signalwas given from the
Judges box to bring Cup the horses, when
Henry made his appearance, & Eclipse
soon after. The doubts which had be-
fore been entertained, land they were
that the southern sportsmen
would pay the forfeit, and there would
be no race, vanished at once, and all
was anxiety to see the result of the con-
test The hour Of starting soon arrived
but such was the immense crowd upon
the course in solid column, for near
quarter of a mile both right and left of
the judges box, that some minutes were
taken up by the officers in clearing it,;
nor was it effected without much diff
Guilty.
FIRST HEAT.
About ten minutes after one P. nj.
both horses set off at the tap of the drum,
Henry taking the lead and keeping it
the whole four miles, came in about half
a length ahead. Although several eff
forts were made by the rider Of Eclipse,
a young man whose name we do not
recolleot, to pass his antagonist, still he
could not accomplish it. The result of
this heat was so different from what the
northern sportsmen had calculated up
on, that the mercury fell instantly be-
low the freezing point Bets three to
one that Eclipse would lose the second
heat were loudly offered, but there were
few orno takers. Time of running the
heat, 7 minutes 40 seconds.
SECOND HEAT.
The time having elapsed for breath
ing, the horses were again brought up
for the Cd heat, but it had been deter
mined in the interim to change Eclipse
rider, as has often heretofore been done.
and behold who should appear but our
old friend Purdy,. who was welcomed
with tumultuous cheers from the multi
tude.-He soon mounted and at the
word both went off Henry took the
lead, as in the first heat, and kept it un-
til about two thirds round on the third
mile, when Purdy, seized with quick |
ness and dexterity peculiar to himself, |
the favorable moment that presented, |
when by appearing to aim at the out
side, he might gain the inside, made a |