Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-10
From the N. o. Picayune.
The Great Race.


Of the American turf, giving, as it has, the palm
to the renowned Lexington, came off yesterday
over the Metare Course, and its result greatly sur
passed the most ardent hopes and enthusiastic ex-
pectations of the friends of the winner, and the
lovers of the turf sports.
The day was the loveliest of the whole season.
As the hour appointed for the great contest ap-
preached, the town was all astr with the excite
ment incident to the occasion.
The judges selected for the occasion were Gen.
Stephen NJ. Westmore, upon the part of the Vir-
ginia gentlemen; Arnold Harris, Esq, for Mr..
TenBroeck, and John G. Cocks, Esq, the Presi-
dent of the Metairie Jockey Club as umpire
The timers were the Hon. Duncan +. Kenner
Captain William ]. Minor, and Stephen D. Eli
ott Esq.
The field inside the course presented most ami
mated appearance, and the feeling in favor of the
gallant Lexington was general and decided, and
as the predestined hero of the day appeared upon
the course, in company with his stable companions
who to be partners for time in his tolls, his
feelings and his fame, his bold, reaching, and elias
tic STEP his unequalled condition and his fearless
defiant look-conscious of superiority and of victo-
ry-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
our feelings dictated, and his extraordinary self
reliance, based upon well directed judgment and
sound sense, cannot fail to place him, in the esti-
nation of true specimen, the leader of the host.
He knew he had an animal of unflinching game,
coupled with lightning speed, and bravely did his
gallant steed respond to his call.
The betting was large. Lexingtons appearance
made him favorite, and before starting it was firm
at 100 to rs against time, and but few taken. The
af he HATH lad H.. Ia.-x T..
town, and there were but few left who dared to
brave the lion in his lair.
The conflicting opinions which had been gene.
rally expressed in regard to the terms of the match
and OF its mode of performance, caused very gen
eral excitement each party, in turn, expressing his
views as to the right of the points discussed viz
that Of allowing horses to start with Lexington to
urge him to an increased speed, and the propriety
of giving the horse running start
The judges, however, ended the matter by de-
Gliding that he could do both.
The decision gave very general satisfaction.
Gilpatrick, upon Lexington, now prepared for
action, and as he started up the stretch upon his
proud courser, to do that which no other horse
had ever attempted the man 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 which il was intended he should run
which he accomplished in LAT IA, 1.-THE first half.
mile in fifty-three seconds.) Upon reaching the
stand, II was minated 10 him TO go slower, which
he did.
Joe Blackburn was started behind him at the
beginning Of the first mile, but the respectful dis
lance he kept in his rear, must certainly have done
him an injury rather than benefit, for at no time
was he near enough for Lexington to hear the
sound OF his hoofs.
r.
Arrow, who was started before its commencement
waiting about thirty yards behind Lexington In
the third mile Arrow closed the gap, and Lexing-
ton hearing him, was little 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 Lex
ington darted off in earnest, running the last mile
in l:4s "a. He reached the head Of the front
stretch in $685. running the entire length in "a "a
seconds. The whole time Of the four miles in
7:I9 81, carrying 1OS pounds. Gilpatrick being
three pounds overweight.
That the course was in admirable condition, we
need not assert, but that have seen II in 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
himself; which must have been the case with Lex.
ington yesterday. He lost his left fore plate, and
half the right one !; and Gilpatrick, at the draw
gates, the last mile had no difficulty in keeping him
on his course, Lexington making violent effort to
swerve to the right where 1t was soft and heavy.
With regard to the time not doubt can be en-
tertained, the official being slower than any other
Outside, by many experienced timers, 1t was
made in 7:l9 Ia.
-. al. III
remarkable race cannot be described II was in
tense throughout, and to those who had no oppoi-
tunity Of taking note Of time, Lexington's decep-
tive, fox-ke gait could not have given them hopes
OF success.
II must be a source OF the highest qualification
TO the rider Of Lexington that he guided him
through his perilous journey successfully despite
the prophecies and hopes of defeat that attended
him. In this connexion we may fearlessly assert
that through long career Of usefulness and sue
cess of more than twenty years upon the turf the
name Of Gilbert w. Patrick, DIETER known as
Gilpatrick, the rider has never been tainted with
even the breath Of suspicion, and that the bright
escutcheon OF his name remains untarnished and
this is perhaps his last appearance in public, Il is
the writer's hearty wish, that he may live to enjoy
an uninterrupted flow Of worldly comfort, and
that when death calls him to answer that TO which
all living must respond, he may be full of years
and honor. The name Of Gilpatrick and licking
ton are inseparably connected with the greatest
achievement upon the American turf
That this great race will go down TO generations
yet unborn, the fastest made, is the honest
conviction Of the writer The following is the
RECORD
APRn 3, ls55.-Match $40, 900, Lexington to beat
the fastest time at four miles, being 7:26.
r. Ten Broeck's br. c. Lexington by Boston, out
Of Alice Carneal, by imp. Sarpedon. [Gilpat-
rickl The winner.
TINE.
LIST mile. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. .147X
"a mle...... .........,.s.... 1:b2A
90 Hlle. .'.....-... ....s.s. .1s0lK
Sun mile. .'',..-..........s.,..s LASH
Total