Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-26
UNPRECEDENTED SPEED.


3 From the New Y ork Sun. August y.
Mr.. Robert Bonner seems destined not
merely to enjoy the satisfaction of owning
the most notable stable in the world, but,
in his declining years, which are yet long
way of, will be able proudly to examine
that, without the faint Of gambling, or the
excitement of racing, he has brought that
noble animal, the horse, to higher state Of
perfection, and has produced from him
greater achievements than the most con-
frmed devotee Of the race track had ever
previously dreamed Of s
( A few days ago, that most remarkable
horse, Dexter, of Mr.. BOnner's stable, at
the Fashion Course, on Long Island in the
presence of credible witnesses, trOtted a
mile in the unprecedented time Oftwo
minutes and fourteen seconds, and on yes
terday trotted one-quarter Of mile in
thirty seconds, or at the rate of one mile in
two minutes, equal to fast railway time.
( 1t is well-known that Mr.. Bonner is not
a racing man, and although he owns several
of the fastest trotters in the world, and buys
every really fast horse he hears OF, he never
allows any Of his animals to trot for money,
or in any race. He buys and keeps them
for his own amusement and satisfaction.
In June last he sent Dexter over to the
Fashion Course, TO the stables of Mr.. VIM.
III. Doble, with instructions to Mr.. Doble
TO ascertain what the horse was capable of
performing. Mr.. DOble at once put the
animal in easy training, designing to work
him down to a trim, for speed some time in
the fall. No special pains were taken, az
there was ample time to accomplish the
training gradually, thus avoiding any pos
sible charge Of cruel treatment. Twice
each week he was put on the track and
logged around five or six times, only occa-
sionally being "speeded,h and then merely
for a short distance, with no record Of time.
On other days all his work has been done
on the road, he being driven daily at a jog
trot, from six to eight miles. His feed has
consisted of from ten 10 twelve quarts of
grain daily, and as much hay as he would
eat. His trainer remarked to our reporter
that he was a good feeder on grain, but did
not care much for hay. This exercise and
feed, with the usual rubbing and care in
covering, bedding, etc, has constituted his
training, the design being to work him
down a little more vigorously as the season
advanced and the weather became more
suitable for earnest exercise.
+ On Monday morning of last week Dexter
was taken out for his morning exercise on
the track. The previous day and
evening had been stormy, and the track
was in anything but good condition. In
deed, it was quite heavy, and in places so
wet along the pole as to compel driving on
the off or outside. The horse, under these
disadvantages, after being logged around
once or twice was put to his speed, and
made the heat in 2-20, with his hood on.
Several gentlemen being present, expressed
a desire to see him pressed a little, and Mr..
DOble finally consented. The horse was
taken of to a stable, scraped, rubbed off,
and in twenty-five minutes was again on
the track, with Budd Doble az driver. A
running horse was also provided, with a
rider. and stationed at the three quarter
pole TO make the round with the trotter.
Mr. Turnbull, the well-known turfman
of this city, owner of the celebrated horse
Vanderbilt, and Mr.. Conway, of Philadel-
phia, took the judges stand to watch the
performance and keep the time. Every
thing being ready, Dexter was slowly trot-
ted around the track once. The
second time about he was gradually worked
up and pressed, until, on approaching the
three-quarter pole, he was fairly flying. A
this point the running horse Joined in at
an Indictment to the trotter. With this
impetus added to his natural ambition and
the steady careful driving Of Budd the
wonderful animal came down to his work
in manner that surprised even those that
knew him best and had reason to expect
great things from him. Coming down the
home stretch his speed was like a locomo-
tive with steam crowded. The running
horse was urged to his utmost TO keep up
with him. As he passed the judges stand
the time of the FIRST quarter was noted at
thirty. three and half seconds, which hsd
been performed without particle Of urg-
ing. Away he flew again on the first guar
ter, simple word Of encouragement from
his driver only urging him forward, while,
the rider Of the other horse was shouting
and plying the whip vigorously to keep up
with this most astonishing pace. At this
rate the quarter pole was passed in thirty
three and half seconds. The next quar-.
ter, on the back stretch, was made in thirty
three seconds, this part Of the track being
in better condition than the rest. At this
tremendous pace the animal showed not
the slightest inclination to break indeed,
throughout he kept his feet az steadily a.
if he knew of no other gait than an ordi-
nary trOt. From the halfmile pole TO the
starting point at the three-quarter pole he
accomplished 10 thirty-four seconds, the
track being very heavy, on the curve
driving him 10 the far side, making a diff
ference of more than hundred feet ia the
distance to be Travelled. He thus made
the mile in two minutes and fourteen sec
onds-a rate Of speed altogether unap-
preached in the annals Of trotting.
After passing the three-quarter pole,
which completed his heat Of one mile,
"a Dexter continued on to the judges stand
without any apparent abatement Of speed,
and was not brought down until be had
nearly reached the quarter pole. He was
then taken to the stable, exhibiting not the
slightest symptoms Of distress. He has
ever since appeared in his usual health,
and with spirits only heightened by The
exciting and wonderful performance.
Eut even this most surprising achieve
ment is not the best Of this remarkable
horse Yesterday he was on the track
taking his usual exercise, being leisurely
driven around, and occasionally put 10
speed for a short spirit, when he made a
quarter nile down the back stretch in the
almost incredible time Of thirty seconds, or
At the rate o ( one milo IN tUo minutes
Mr.. Doble says Dexter Is now in no trim
FOR extraordinary speed. Nor Is he IN a
hurry 70 get him in such trim. But he
'ays the animal has abilities that have
aever been suspected. and this fall he will
make time that will as mnch eclipse his
ate Performance, a. that eclipsed his per
Tormance at Buffalo Last summer, when he
made his mile in 2:17, beating Flora
rcmple's 2:1Ss at Kalamazoo, Mich, which
rad previously been the best time ever
made by trotting horse.
Besides this wonderful animal, Mr.
)oble has some very excellent stock in his
tables. Among them fine stallion, Mem
,rino Prince, belonging to Mr.. Russell, Of
Boston, which il capable Of trotting within
be thirties Bailey Lewis, gelding be-
onging to young Budd DobIe, has hereto.
ore been reckOned "a a $50 horse, bat will |
ow 90 a mite in 2.2f
Budd IL nj present making starring eX- !
ibition through the country with some Of /
he faster animals Of this stable, including |
.ucy, Goldsmiths Maid, and Col. May- 1
ard. He twas 10 Buffalo last week, and
prasent IA winning laurels, aud some