Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-04-27

The Great Race Besss4es Ls1i"gto" and Leeomut.
The New Orleans papers ofSfhe 18th are at hand
containing account of the great race betwean
Lexington and Lecompte. We clip the FOLLOWING
from the Delta
The number of spectators. altogether, could M,
have been less than five or six thousand and ~ '
scene one of the utmost gayety and anima,;""e
The day was perfectly lovely, and the track was T.
admirable condition. The sun shone brightly b,H
light breeze tempered the warm rays, and all circnn
stances suspicious as the warmest devotao -
the turf could have wished During the two borua
previous 10 the start, the betting varied so much tho,
1T is impossible to fix upon decided feature W.
saw odds put up Lecompie, and there were nm
merous similar preparations, with Lexington on Tho
long side. A very large amount of money had hs
siaked in town. and the betting was spirited upon 5n
track and.in the public stands. All Red River vao
down here, and feeling so much confidence in II
compe, they piled up the dollars freely the general
result
On weighing the riders, the judges announced that
Fitzpatrick (Lexington's jockey was four pounds
over weight and this circumstance was very ino,Ir
considered point in favor Of Leeompte It was nj
much spoken Of however, and with opinions as murb
at variance as ever, the noble animals Lecomn,
apparently somewhat drooping) came up for the
starting
FIRST Heat-Tt needs not much elaboration TO tell
the entire story of the race. Lexington had tha
|
| the start an even and beautiful one. They went
round the first LAP, and they passed the
quarter post and swung into the back stretch Leg
ington showed barely half length ahead, both of
them going at an easy stride, and appearances nd.
eating that Lecompte wanting They maintained
this position with very little variation throughout the
mile, the speed being slightly increased down the
home stretch, and they passed the score Lecompte
was close up to Lexngton's saddle skirts. On the
turn Iexington's pace increased. and they round
I,lL L. 81 4
he'd into the back stretch when Lecompte rushed
and again Tapped. and the two that way past the
half mile post to the upper turn, when Lexington
again slid away in front. AS they came into the
quarter, Lecompte again gathered up, but Lexington
appeared ready 20 let out when occasion required
and he led length by the score. Or the back
stretch Lecompte made another beautiful dash and
colared his antagonist but Lexington soon shook
him off, and rounded the upper turn two lengths
ahead There was another gallant brush on the
home quarter, but it was unavaing, and Lexington
went into The fourth mile al least five lengths in ad
vance, which he increased by rounding the turn at a
rushing pace to fifty or sixty yards Itwas apparent
at this period that Lecompte was done up, and he
did nothing to close up the gap until they came into
the last quarter, when his efforts failed 10 TELL and
Lexington came in under strong pull, winning the
! heat easily in 7: 234
The desire to look at the horses was so great that
people now commenced jumping the railing
from all points, and the tack was soon crowded
the small number of policemen which the track was
able 10 afford, being unable to resist such tide
The 6 Lexington men, were now very numerous and
odds to a considerable extent were offered on the
winner of the heat. After waiting the usual time
between heats, it rumored that Lecompte would
not go again, and when the moment of saddng
up, this unweIcome fact was announced from The
stand. 1t was stated that Gen. Wells did not con-
+ sIder l. COMPUTE in condition to 60 another hea
without niung his running qualities, and he would
consequently withdraw him; the purse and stake
, being secondary consideration. Judge Cox an
nounced that all bets made before the good
but that those made after the heat to be considered
= withdrawn. AT the time for starring Lexington
| showed himself at the stand. fitzpatrick rode under
j and look the purse Isl ,O00) and thus ended TIT
sports OF The day.