Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-06-03
From the New. York american.
THE GREAT RACE.

The erentfuI contest for sporting supre.
macy has been decided in our favor, by
the uurivalled powers of Eclipse. From
the general interest telt in this race, we
presrne even the minute particulars re-
speeding it win not be unacceptable. The
course was crowded at an early hour, and
before the horses started, it was computed
that at least $4,000 persons were assem-
bieG: among whom were individuals from
every part OF the Union. The Ladies
stand was filed with beauty and fashion,
and among The gentlemen were 10 be found
much of the talent, wealth, and respecta-
bility of the country. At the appointed
hour the horses were brought to the START
ing post, and at the signal went of in high
style, Henry taking the lead, and warmly
pushed by Eclipse, who ran under the
whip the whole distance, and was beat by
about halt length
The heat was run in the extraordinary
short time Of seven minutes and SO sec.
onds, being, we believe, the fastest run
ming on record, except the performance of
Chiders, who ran the long course OF New.
Market, which is more than quarter over
four miles, in Z 10. and 80 sec. There
can be no mistake as to the time or DIS
lance, the ground having been accurately
measured, and the time taken by The best
watches. Eclipse was not rode by PuIty
the first heat, or, ii is supposed by many,
the result would have been different, At
starting for the second heat, however, the
confidence of success in our horse was in
a degree restored by seeing him mounted
by his old rider, 10 whom there is as much
faith here a. in Virginia is. placed in the
judgment OF Colonel johnson. Henry a.
gain started ahead and kept the lead until
the termination Of the THIRD round. when
a push was made by Purdy, and Eclipse,
for the first time, brought along side Of bis
rival. This was justly considered by the
northern sportsmen as decisive OF the re-
suit; tor they bad sufficiently tested the
fact, that no horse can contend in strength
and bottom with Eclipse. The event yer
ifieo the correctness OF their estimate; tor,
after most severe struggle, Eclipse gain
ed the lead and came in upwards OF two
leustbs ahead. While. however, the
southern horse was leading, the most pro-
found silence prevailed throughout the
vast assembled multitude
"rhere was stiffness as of death,
And the boldest held their breath
For time"
But when Eclipse shot-a-head, such an
universal shout was sent forth, as made the
welkn ring. The time of running this
heat was seven minutes forty mine seconds,
which is also a shorter time than four miles
have ever before been run in this country.
In the third heat Eclipse took the lead and
kept it to the close, beating by about a
length. The time was 8 minutes "a Sec
onds ln this heat the rider of Henry was
also changed, and he was managed with
great skill, but without effect The aver
age of the heats is minutes St 2 3 sec.
onds, rate when continued through three
heats, to which, as far as we learn, there
is DO parallel IN the sporting annals OF this
country or of Great Britain. The space
per second over which the winning horse
in The first heat passed, must have been
As ieet.