Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1843-06-17

DEAR SiR-As | know you are an amateur
of races, wish 10 call your attention 10 9
race which is to come off during the lst week
in July next, over thn political tntf OF the 'hlrd
congressional district, between the noted
horses Old Tfipoli, and "peacock." Both
horses are known in the sporting world
tllpugi 1'tatuck's fame, has spread farther
than Old Tyipoli's, az he was travelled to
Washington tp be rin hl The National course
but his trniner never run him for any OF The
purses, altho' he had him in training all The
while, and gave him one PUBLIC brush, which
was so slow, as to excite the lnlrtlI OF even
the stable boys,
It is said that tie race which IS to lie run
in July next, has already excited gteBt eSpec-
tatibns among the "knoWii,s ones Opinion
seems to be at this time much divided, as to
the iseus of the contest. The party in favor
OF Old Tripoli, relying most confidently on his
capacity to wear through the race under a
constant push while those in favor Of "pea-
cock" as confidently believe, that in conse-
puence Of his superior speed, he may run
"hard in hand" and thus prove victor. About
three years ago, the people Of this part of the
State. were amused with the spectacle Of a
close contest between "peaeotk,' and the
splendid horse "Tip," better known nov by
the name of Ty and the race on that orca-
sion was so nearly proving a "dead heat
(Peacock beating Tip only ID inches), that
many thought, and so proclaimed at the time,
that Tip would have won he race, il Peacock
had not run foul by crossing over into tho
path of Tip as they were running down the
home stretch Tip run Peacock so closely on
the occasion referred to, that it was said che
had done him up" but it proved subsequent
", in a race with the "Plains Poney,' that
the lameness of Peacock, consequent on the
race with Tip. proceeded more from a strain
in The shoulder, than any failure in the sinews
Of the legs. This strain, it has been found,
was only temporary, and he is now prononii.
ced By The "knights Of The whip to be in first
rate plight, and to stand as severe training as
lie ever did. In this opinion, ! do not concur,
and | feel confident. If old T'fipoli is spurrrd,
from tho stand, which he is able to bear, that
'Peacock" will "let down" before the close
Of The first heat. During the latneness Of
Peacock, some Of his friends conceived the
idea Of running for The Congressional Plate
a celebrated gelding, called "hrtful Dodger."
This animal had antecedently figured on the
turf, and acquired n high reputation for extra
ordinary speed but it was said by many Of
Peacork's hackers, that "Aftful Dodger'' was
| UNI NV IMAM u lhh = iHS|b y
scrub, while others, to whom his powers as a
four miller were better known, objected to
running him, as in the event he proved a win
ner, his "Tine ito0ds' friends would insist on
running him at the next race, which would
interfere with the running Of that promising
young horse, the "Ex- Secretary" who has
been 50 long in training for the congressional
races.
After much consultation, therefore, it was
concluded to rule "Artful Dodqer" off Of the
track. and start Peacock, whose great reputa-
ton, it was supposed, would deter every per
son from entering a horse, and thcn his owner
could pocket the purse by a mere "walk,"
which would not unfit Peacock for Il contest
for any other rich stale which might be put
up TO be run for. 4 very comfortable ar
rangement for a yoor man.
Those friends Of Tripoli. who arc an fait
in jockying, maintain that it was all a ibint
and a sham on the part Of the friends Of Pea
cock, to talk Of starting Att(ul Doiger that
they never had any serious intention OF doing
so, and that their object in advertising that
Peacock would run no more, but would
stand the ensuing season. in New Orleans, at
tho sign Of the Post Office, was merely TO
atnuse the friends of Artful Dodger, for a
time with the hattering idea, that he was to
be champion of Democracy in tho next race
in this district, until it could be ascettainsd,
by a %"prifate rial,' whether Peacock could
bear the training necessary to a good race,
and perform the duties Of his now office, al
the same time.
It is o fact admitted by all who have seer
The latter horse, that he looks 10 be in fine
health and vig6tr at this time, and that he
takes training as kindly as he ever did and
there may be therefore, some truth IN the con.
} lecture, that his owner never seriously con,
templated bis withdrawal from the turf, bu
being very needy, he concluded TO make a
little money, by a limited season, before The
race came off: and in case he lost the race
he could still fulfill his other engagements
Another conjecture, which | have heard, as t.
the stra nge course pursued by the owner o
Peacock, ia this that while at Washington
he disposed Of an interest in his horse, at
high figure, to the celebrated jockey Cdptint
3 Tyler, upon the express condition, that ht
, was TO bo withdrawn from The turf; and hence
6 it was necessary to write to the Gaping, ant
obtain his consent before lie could enter hin
y in the congressional race. How this Is, ] can
say, butsI feel certain ffom my knowledge o
horse flesh, that the present engagements o
Peacock, are wholly incompatible, and be
s yond the powers of any animal wearing hair
and if old T'ripoli don't head him, | will tievot
:, again predict The result Of Il race before tht
/ falling OF the flag. The trainer Of old Tfipol
informs me that he has not had time, to pu
him in first rate order, it requiring full time
to put q horse Of his constitution, and one
O that has seen so much hard service, in frs
d rate condition for Il bruislng race. The Oh
horse is not recognized as a legitimate sPrIl
Of the turf, and in his early days was con
demned to much severe drudgery; but SO wal
/ the celebrated Godalphon Arabian, the sire 0
the best blood and the best racers known il
. the annals of the English Turf. The frs
J that is certainly known Of old T'rIpoli, he wa
r in the service Of the gallant Decatur in th'
!, Tripolitan war, from which circumstance, h
derives his name and the next we hear o
q him, he was employed III dragging cannon
down to Norfork to be used in repelling al
invasion by the British, during The last wal
, But although he carries about hith some o
II the marks and badges Of ignoble servitude
yet it is admitted by sportsmen, that TO tn
r eye of a p~ractised jockey, he would pas
II muster as a race horse. 1t IS an old adage, BIT
$ I do not know whether true or not, that Their
, are horses Of all forms, which run. Old Fri
poll does not need the benefit Of the adage I
!, its fullest extent, for while in the eye of
superficial Judge of equine flesh, he Woul
y not be pronounced a standard %courser,
o Jockey would at once sec many fine points ]
his form; such as a good loin and stlfffe, hogge
o back, fine head, game eye, distended nostri,
and short, but steel-like legs such propertIe
f Of form denote a distance horse, and hi
. friends attribute his want of success in hi
.aco, Iorntrforo fa tho 6x6rTFecuIDO rnDf