, 1868-09-25
De1ter's Great Feat.

Ine InOss hOlaple staole 10 the Wor1d, Dut In
his declining years, which are yet long way
off, will be- able proudly to exclaim that,
without the faint of gambling, or the excite
ment OF racing, he has brought that noble
animal, the horse, to a higher state of per,
fection, and has produced from him greater
achievements than the most confirmed devo-
tee of the race track bad ever previously
dreamed Of
,,v-se. UexteT, of Mr. Bonner's stable, at the
Fashion Course, on Long Island, in the pres
ence of credible witnesses, trotted a mile in
the unprecedented time OF two minutes and
fourteen seconds, and on yesterday trotted
one-quarter of a mile in thirty seconds, or at
the rate of one mile in two minutes, equal to
fast railway time.
1t is we'll known that Mr.. Bonner is not
racing man, and although he owns several of
the fastest trotters IN the world, and buys
every really fast horse he hears OF, be never
allows any of his animals to trot for money,
or in any race. He buys aud keeps them for
his own amusement aud satisfaction.
In June last he sent Dexter over to the
Fashion Course, to the stables Of Mr.. Will
liam Doble, with an instruction to Mr.. Doble
to ascertain what the horse was capable of
performing. Mr. Doble at once put the horse
in easy training, designing to work MIN down
to trim for speed some time in the fall. No
especial pains were taken, as there was ample
time to accomplish the training gradually,
thus avoiding any charge of cruel treatment.
Twice each week he was put on the track
and logged around five or six times, OILY
occasionally being "speeded," and then
merely for short distance with no record of
time. On other days all his work has besn
done on the road he being driven daily, at a
log trot from six to eight miles. His feed
has consisted of from ten to twelve quarts OF
grain daily, and as much hay as he could eat.
His trainer remarked to our reporter that he
was good feeder on grain, but did not care
much for hay. This exercise and feed, with
the usual rubbing and care in covering, bed
ding, etc., has constituted his training, the
design being to work him down little more
vigorously as the season advanced aud the
weather became more suitable to earnest
exercise.
On Monday morning of last week, Dexter
was taken out for his morning exercise or
the track. The previous day and evening
had been stormy, and the track was In any
, thing but good condition. Indeed, 1t wa
quite heavy, and in places so wet along thu
pole as to compel driving on the of, or out
side. The horse, under these disadvantages
after being logged around once or twice, wa
nut to his speed and made the heat in 1926
, with his hood on. Several gentlemen beini
present. expressed desire to see him pressed
little, and Mr.. Doble finally consented
The horse was taken off to the stable, scraped
, rubbed off, and in twenty-five minutes wa
q again hitched to his sulky and brought Oh
= the track, with Budd Doble as driver. /
: running horse was alsoprovided, with ride
and stationed at the three quarter pole
make the round with the trotter.
: Mr. Turnbull, the well known turfman
), this city, owner of the celebrated hors
Vanderbilt" and Mr. Conway, of Phllade
phia, took the judges stand to watch tn
r. oerformance and keep the time. Everythln
t, being ready, Dexter was slowly trotte
n around the track once. The second tim
b about he was gradually worked up. an
1t pressed, until, on approaching the thre'
y quarter pole, he was fairly flying. AT To
= point the running horse Joined in as an e1
IS added to his natural ambition and the stead
y careful driving Of Budd, the wonderful an
of NAL came down to his work in manner tn
ID surprised even those that knew him be:
m and had reason to expect great things fro
er him. Coming down the home stretch, b
#, speed was like locomotive with steam crow
$, ed. The runGng horse was urged to his u
ur most to keep up with him. AS he pass
as the Judges stand, the time of the first qua
lis ter was noted at thirty-three and half Sc
he opds which had been performed without
rs particle of urging. Away he few again
be the first quarter, simple word of eDcourae
en- ment from his driver only urging him f
OF ward. while the rider of the other horse "
ur shouting aud plying the whip'vigorously
ch keep up with the most astonishing pace.
re this rate the quarter pole was passed IN thIr
ry three aud half seconds. The next quart
,n- on the back stretch was made in thirty-thi
we seconds, this part of the track being in bet
IRE condition than the rest. At this tremendC
it pace the animal showed not the slightest
at elination to break indeed throughout
ng kept his feet as steadily as if he knew of
it other gait than an ordinary trOt. From
not half-mile pole to the starting. point at
per three-quarter pole he accomplished in thir
i four seconds, the track being very heavy,
the curve driving him to the far side, max
a difference of more than hundred feet
:. the distance to be travelled. He thus nj
'eu 'S the mile in two minutes and fourteen seco
.t,o .ho "a rate of speed altogether unaPproachef
~ the annals of trotting.
guy After passing the three-quarter pole, wh
Az. arm cou pleted his heat of one mile, Dexlt
l'S' continued on to the judges stand With
ou any apparent abatement OF speed, and
1nu not brought down until be had nearly rea
you ed the quarter. He was then taken to
arc stable, exhibiting not he slightest symPt,
Of distress. He has ever since appeared
,et, his usual health, and with spirits
now heightened BY the exciting and wonde
hen performances.
,th- But even this most surprising ach!evem
,ery is not the best of this remarkable nc