Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-05-19
FROM he Nelc York CoErser, Nag =,
THE GREAT RACE.

attendance but II was SFehtcl AHsH "a
the former great contest between the
North and South, and certainly exceeded
4 fffy thousand. Boston was the tavorite
and betting ranged from 100 to 90 TO 100
to s0-SlO0 to SO being about the state
of the odds.
At the call, both horses came forward
/ without any attendance and solely under
the control of their Riders. There
was no show of trainers-no holding by
the bride to aid in keeping them back
no prancing or excitement; but both nags
appeared to understand that they had
work to do of serious character, and
came forward pretty much as two deter.
mined comba,auts wouldtske their ground
at six PAGES. At the tap Of the drum,
/ both were off in gallant style without
either having exhibited the slightest ex-
element or anxiety.
Boston took the lead at killing pace,
/ followed at the distance Of about two
| lengths by Fashion. AT the commence
ment of the third quarter, she increased
her speed and made something of a brush,
which only resulted in changing her posi-
ton and increasing the speed of Boston.
They came down the straight side in gal
/ liant style, Boston about two lengths a.
headline I'm. 535s. la the same place
as before, on the second mile, Fashion
again made brush and tapped the horse.
and confined to do SO until in passing the
stand, when her nose was within a foot of
BoSton'S tail. Time OF the , irsi miles
BIN. 45Is. The third mile was beautiful.
ly run. Fashion continued close on the
quarters of Boston, evidently putting him
to his speed and forcing him TO killing
pace, but not attempting TO pass so long
as she compelled him to keep up to his
work and they again passed the stand
nearly in the same position as before =
the whole mile being the mos: beautifully
specimen of race ever witnessed Oh the
course in a four mile heat. Time of the
three miles 81. Fashion now made
play and no sooner had she passed the
Southern gate, than her rider, Joseph
Laird shook his his whip over her head,
gave her the spur, and she shot ahead
OF her adversary with as much facility as
if up to that period she had only been TAX
ing her usual exercise, while Boston had
been kept at the top of his speed.
At this moment such a shout from The
assembled multitude rent the air as we
never heard before, and never expect to
hear again. Il was the shout of victory
of victory which admitted Of no ques-
ton, because it was evident 10 all from the
manner Of her taking the lead, that up to
this moment her only object had been to
keep Boston well at his work while she
had been running al her ease. Now came
the death struggle Of Boston. The whip
and spur were both literally applied but
it was in vain, and during the third quar-
ter Of the mile he was not less than thirty
wards in the rear. As the Horses turned
the north west corner ofihe track to come
down the straight side, such was the in.
tense excitement of those on the track
who could not witness what had passed,
and knew not the state Of the heat except
from the shout OF triumph put forth when
Fashion took her proper station, that
rush was made and the track completely
covered with dense mass Of human be.
ings. AS the Mare approached it, she
!
| 1t was critical moment. Boston, who
was rode by that veteran, Oil Patrick,
made gallant rush at her and recover
! ed nearly all his lost ground. The crowd
saw their error. AS one man they fell
back and then down the straight side.
The moment was one of intense excite.
ment. Not whisper was heard in that
immense mass; even the space through
which the horses had just passed remain
ed for a moment vacant. Laird rode
beautifully, with his eye cast over his
right shoulder fixed intently on the white
nose Of Boston about fifteen feet IN his
rear while Gil was plying whip and spur
in manner which but too clearly told
old ohite face that he was out OF position
10 this manner they passed the stand
and then again such u shout of triumph
and OF victory rent the air, as startled
even those who joined in it.
Thus terminated the first heat and
when It was announced that the time was
screen minutes thirty, tpo and half Sc
conds each man looked at his neighbor
as il 10 inquire can this be ? and once
more the spontaneous huzza denoted the
high estimation in which both the gallant
steeds were held.
Thus terminated the first heat, being the
fastest four miles ever run either in Eng
gland or Americas and beating the far
famed Eclipse and Henry heat.
Both horses dried up beautifully Il
bu, it was very apparent that Fashion
was less wearled than her more aged and
justly famed competitor. Two to one
was now freely offered on the race, but
there were no takers.
Again they were started at the tap OF
the drum in the same quiet style as be.
fore, Fashion of course taking the inside
track previously occupied by Boston. II
The first mile was run slow, Fashion taxi
ing and keeping the lead, and passing the
stand in two minutes. In tho third quar-.
ter OF this mile Boston made an unsuc
cesslul effort TO como alongside but she
threw him off with great ease, and passed
the stand three lengths ahead
Four hundred to one offered on Fash
ion, and taken by one Of her heaviest
hackers as hedge. Again in the Sc
cond mile at the same place, Boston made
a rush and met with the same fate. Fash
1t