Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-04-07
THE e RACE.
Lexington VS.. I'M. 26s.
Lexington the Winner-Time, TIC Sd
The Swiftest Race ever Run!

Lexington vs.. I'm. 28s.
Lexington the Winnsr-Tims, 7:le 3d.
The Swiftest Race aver Run!
From the Picayune.l
The most brilliant event in the sporting an
nails of the American turf, giving. as it has. the
palm to the renowned Lexington, ZANE off on
Monday over the Metairie Course, and the res
suit greatly surpassed the most ardent hopes
and enthusiastic expectations Of the friends of
the winner, and the lovers Of the turf sporss.
The field Inside the course presented a most
animated appearance, and the feeling in favor
of the gallant Lexington was general and de-
cided, and. as the predestined hero of the day
appeared upon the course, in company with his
stable companions, who were to be partners for
a time in his tolls, bis feelings and his fame,
his bold, reaching and elastic step, his unequal
ed condition and his fearless, defiant look
conscious of superiority and of victory-gave
strength to his hackers that all was as it should
be.
Of the temerity Of his hacker and owner,
Mr.. Richard TenBroeck, in standing before
the world, bidding defiance to all the previous
performances ever marked by horse, we have
before spoken as our feelings dictated, and his
extraordinary SELF reliance, based upon well
directed judgment and sound sense, cannot
fail to place him in the estimation of true
sportsmen as the leader of the host. He knew
ha had an animal of unfinching game, coupled
with lightning speed, and bravely did his gal
liant ally respond to his call.
The betting was large. L%exington's appear.
ancs made him a f~avorite, and before starting
it was firm at 100 to Is against time, and bat
few taken. The greater portion OF the betting
had been done in town, and there were few
left who dared to brave the lion in his lair.
The conflicting opinions which had been ge-
Morally expressed in regard to the terms of the
match, and of its mode of performance, caused
a very general excitement, each party in turn
expressing his views as to the right of the
points discussed, Wig: that of allowing horses
to start with Lexington, to usge him to an in
creased speed, and the propriety of giving the
horse a running start.
The judges, however. ended the matter by
deciding that he could do both.
The decision gave very general satisfaction.
Fitzpatrick, upon Lexington, now prepared
for action, and as he started up the stretch up.
on his proud c~ourser, to do that which no other
horse had ever attempted, the mar and horse
formed a beautiful and perfect picture. He
turned him around just below the ~drawgates,
and as he reached the judges stand, when the
drum tapped, he was at the pace it was inten-
ded he should run. To our mind he was run
too fast the first mile, which no accomplished
in l:474, (the first half mile 10 fifty-,hree Sc
conds.) Upon reaching the stand it was init.
mated to him to 90 slower, which he did.
Joe Blackburn was started behind him at the
beginning of the first mile, but the respectful
distance he kept in the rear, must certainly
have done him an injury rather than a benefit,
for at no time was he near enough for Lexings
ton to hear the sound of his hoofs.
The place in the second mile visibly decreas.
ed; Arroac, who was started before its COM
mencement, waiting about thirty yards behind
Lexington. In the third mile Arrow closed
the gap, and Lexington hearing him, was a lit
tie more anxious, and slightly increased his
pace. Upon entering the fourth mile Arrow
was stopped and Joe Blackburn went at him
again, but as in the first instance, he was 'like
chips in porridge," of no benefit. Lexington
off in earnest, running the last mile in
l:484. He reached the head of the front
stretch in SIS, running its entire length in 244
seconds-the whole time Of the four miles in
7:l9t, carrying l03 pounds; Gilpatrick being 3
pounds over weight. e
That the course was 10 admirable condition,
We need not assert, but that we have seen il 10
better order for safety and for time, we think
we may assert. The writer of this was not
present when Lexington and Lecomte met last
spring. and can therefore make no comparison,
but agrees with. "A Young Turfman," that
the extreme hardness of a track might prevent
a horse from fully extending himself; which
must have been the case with Lexington yes
terday. He lost his left fore plate. and half
the right one; and Gilpatrick, at the drawgates,
the last mile, had no little difficulty 10 keeping
him on his course, Lexington making violent
effort to swerve to the right where it was soft
aud heavy.
With regard to the time, not 4 doubt can be
entertained, the official being slower than any
other.
Outside BY many experienced timers, it was
made 10 1871.
The excitement attending the progress of
this remarkable race cannot be described. 1t
was intense throughout, and to those who had
no opportunity oftaking note Of time, Lexing-
tons deceptive, fox-liks gait could not have
given them hopes Of success. The joyousness
and hilarity everywhere Visible, which follow
ed the announcement that Lexington was the
victor, showed the feeling Of the majority Of
the vast assemblage.
It must be . source of the highest grati6ca.
ton to the rider Of Lexington that he guided
him through his perilous journey successfully,
despite the prophecies Of defeat that attended
him. In this connection we may fearlessly
assert that through q long career Of usefulness
and success Of moro than twenty years upon
the turf. the name Of Gilbert W. Patrick, (bet.
tor known ~ Gilpatrick, the rider.) has never
been tainted with even the breath Of suspicion,
and that the bright escutcheon ofhis name re.
untarnished; ana a. this is perhaps bis
last appearance in public, it IL the writers hear.
" wish, that he may live to enjoy an ~uninter-
rupted flow Of worldly comfost, and that when
death calls him to answer that to which all liv.
ing must respond, he may b full Of years and