Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-06-15
From the New York Tribune Of the 7th inst.
The Greatest Trot Ever Made.

From the New York Tribune Of the 7th inst.
The Greatest Trot Ever Made.
The first two matches made between Flora
Temple and George NJ. Patchen came off yes
terday. 1t had been set for Tuesday, but on
account Of rain was postponed until Wedncs-
day. At an early hour every avenue to the
course was alive with throng of carriages
and pedestrians, and every train of cars over
flowing with passengers. By o'clock full
fifteen thousand people were on the course
eager for the contest.
For some days before Monday last the bet
ting had been in favor of Flora, at 100 to so |;
but on that day it became known that she
had cut the heel of her near fore foot, and
some fears were entertained that she might
prove lame, and the odds on her fell off, and
by Tuesday the betting had become cvcn.--
This SO rallied the confidence of the hackers
Of Patchen, that by Tuesday evening, the
odds changed to his favor, and 100 to 90 was
laid on him. BY Wednesday morning the
odds had increased to 100 to so, and ap to
the hour Of starting he had the call in the
betting at that rate, and even as low as 100
to Is.
At 8 o'clock, amidst the greatest interest
and impotence of the crowd, the horses
showed on the track. Flora came in with
both fore feet bandaged up, and seemed short
in her step; otherwise she looked in tip-top
order, her eye bright, her coat blooming, her
spirits elastic. Should her feet give her no
trouble, she showed promise of trot equal to
any ever made by her. Patchcn also showed
the best of condition-thc only thing notice.
able being little too much eagerncss and
excitability. When stripped, he looked fit
to force out Of Flora a greater race than she
had ever made, or to beat her. The hackers
of each were assured as they took their pre-
liminary trots. 1t was noticed that the steps
of Flora had lost none of its elasticity, and
that with all the show of bandagcs her feet
were all right. The betting on time had
been for so low figure as Pm. 23sec.; but
after the horses had been seen, and in view
Of the fine day and fine track, bets were
made on Pm. 22sec., in few instances, and
were numerous that that time would be
made if she beat him. Wonderful as this
time is, its hackers were justified, for two
heats were dos in less than Pm. 22sec.
The hour of o. clock, which was the hour
fixed for the start, was ovcrpast, and had
nearly come, before the horses showed in
front of the Judges stand for the
First Heat.-Patchcn drew the pole, and
had the inside. After seven attempts, the
horses got away on the eighth, with an even
60 of, but with slight lead by Patchen.-
This he retained around the turn to the quar-
ter pole. As they swept off from the turn
Flora moved up, caught Patchen, and, out
footing him, soon showed in front q length.
A shout rent the air, bursting from the lungs
of her thousands Of partisans and hackers.
Down tho straight stretch they sped, Patch
en- seeming to wake up TO the task before
him. By the time they reached the middle
of the stretch he was going at wonderful
rate, and few yards further on caught her.
rally set in and he headed. On they went
with the same rafting pace, and he soon
drew in front, and at the half-mile pole show
ed length clear
The half.mile had been done in one minute
and ten seconds, and now the race seemed
Patchcn's-it was dollars to dimes. The
half-mile had never been done by Flora be-
fore in less time, and who could say the race
was not Patchen's? After passing the half
mile pole Talman seemed to ease Patchen
away, and at the centre of the turn Flora
moved up, and the two went even head and
head to the home strait stretch. The strug-
gle then began, but Patchen kept the lead,
and maintained it some distance, when Nc
Mann cased off the mare, and both kept their
positions until within twenty rods of home,
where Flora was called on, and dashed into
one Of her bursts Of speed, for which she is
so famous, and which ever give her the con-
test. With rush, she headed the horse in
six or eight rods in few strides she drew
out q length in front
Talman seemed caught by surprise, and
was headed ere he could recover himself. A
blow reused Patchen, and he burst away
with gait that astonished every ono, but in
vain: though he caught the mare-thouch
every stride brought him nearer to her head,
it was in vain; she passed the score win
ner by head in the wonderful time Of tpo
minutes and tcenty-one seconds! A wild
shout Of admiration rent the air as Flora was
proclaimed the winner of the best heat ever
trotted. If she had added an additional lau-
rel to her chaplet, so grand already, the horse
had lost no honor-he had forced her to her
noblest feat, and was beaten by throat latch
only
The heat over, the horses soon. cooled oil