Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-12

persons within the enclosure Of the Metairie
course upon this great and interesting occa-
sion; yet we never have seen more perfect
order preserved among 9 large body Of men
than that which prevailed throughout the day.
We were not cognizant of single derelictiOn
of the duty that one man owes to another, in
any single respect-no drunkenness, no dis
putes no quarrels, no unseemly or even bois-
ferrous remarks.
"The betting for several days previous to
the race, and yesterday morning, in the city, was
brisk and heavy; Highlander being generally
the first favorite, and Lexington the second ia
voritc. The field was frequently backed against
Highlander, at odds of two to one. On arriv-
ing at the course the crowd for time appeared
to feel impatient, fearing that they could not
have a chance to lay out all their money
Pocket-books few open, and for an hour the
betting was very lively, but not much changed
from what it had been. We heard many bets
made as follows: even between Highland and
Lexington; $50 to 500, that Highlander would
take the first heat. There was, Of course q
variety of bets concerning many minor points
and the particular placing Of horses.
"The course was very heavy from the previous
rains; and the strong wind which prevailed
had so hardened the mud that it was very stiff
and unyielding, clinging to the hoof with great
tenacity.
FIRST HEAT.--The horses came proudly up
to the stand and moved off without difficulty,
we'll together, and passed around the first turn
in the following order: Lexington leading, Ar
row second, Lecomte third, with Highlander
trailing. In this position the first mile was
RUN, all being, within a fair distance of each
other. On entering the second mile Lecomte
went up, and Tapped Lexington for short dis
lance, but they all soon resumed their original
position for the remainder of the second, and
the whole Of the third mile, at about the same
rate Of speed. On making the first turn Of the
fourth mile, Arrow began to feel the effects of
the heavy mud, and slackened his speed, High
lander passing him, taking the third position,
and gradually making up the gap between him.
self and his two competitors. Lecomte, on
coming home, pushed for the lead, but Lexing-
ton held his course steadily, and won the heat
under strong pull, by about three lengths, in
8:08a, distancing Arrow The kentuckians,
who are a. famous people for shouting, gave a
loud cheer for their favorite, and the betting
people began to make new arrangements.
"SEcoND HEAT.-After much discussion on
minor points, the betting now appeared to set
tie down to about two to one on Lexington
against the field, Leeomte generally being con-
sidered as the chief reliance of the felders
Highlander's friends were in bad spirits, but
some of them contended that he had not yet
exerted himself, that he ran nearly all the first
heat far from the pole, and they therefore took
up the odds offered against him. On starting
for the second heat, Highlander took the lead
all we'll together. On the back stretch, Le-
comte made brush, and took the lead Of the
party, entering the second mile in advance, and
Lexington second. In this position they ran
the mile. At the entrance OF the third mile,
Highlander made his first and only brush; he
went up to Lexington, and nearly passed him
for short distance; but Lexington soon shook
him off round theturn, Lecomte leading through
out the mile by nearly eight lengths
"On the first quarter of the fourth mile, High
lander began to exhibit distress, and gave up
his stride near the same spot and i'll the same
manner rs Arrow had done i'll the first heat.
Lexington, on the back stretch, now went to
work in earnest, gradually closing up the gap
on Lecomte, both striving hard for the supre
macy, and the pace increasing. On the third
quarter Lexington locked Lecomte, and they
swung into the home stretch side and side, the
excitement running high amongst the anxious
thousands, and cheers rending the air. Down
they came home, rushing forward like tor
rent each at the top of his speed, and as if
life depended on every jump, but the speed Of
Lexington was superior, and he shot past the
judges stand about -four lengths in advance,
winging the heat and race, amid the cheers of
the ladies and the dSafening shouts ofthe men,
in S.04 the last mile being run in quicker
time than any other in the race.
sour readers who were not present at the
race would sadly misjudge the merits of this
great contest did they only make up their
opinion of the severity of the struggle by CLAN
cling at the time, which, I'VE acknowledge, would
appear slow if the track had been in good con-
dtion. Under all the circumstances of the
case, the race was an excellent one; its vary.
ing chances, its uncertain termination up to
the last moment, the severity of the contest,
the amount Of money at stake, and the i'm.
mense number Of persons in attendance, will
render brilliant event in the racing annals of
this country"