Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-18
The Eurf-Ffnle.

AZ A'S" 1oih LWJj Gtet" uNU Eu3m
has in its issue of the 9Th, an article on
" Time" and as there are some strange
statements in il, and il Furthermore, az
issue upon which so much is daily invested
during our races, we propose, says the New
Orleans Pieaynne to make some remarks
upon the subject-state the best time at one,
two, three and four miles, and enable those
but partially acquainted With the f4cts, to
make their Investments with better judg-
ment.
1t is commonly stated that time is no
test of race horse" We dissent from
this opinion, upon the ground that it is
only partly true and partly false, since
there lie no better evidence of the powers of
race horse than Fashions four miles in
1924, George Martins 1888, LecomprS
7;26 or Lexington's 1924 and 7:l9}.
Let US suppose for moment that either
of the above named horses had never met
a competitor that could have gone the dis
lance under 7:45, they would, therefore,
not have ben necessitaled 10 make better
time TO win than 7:44, in which case it will
be clearly seea that their fullest power
would not have been developed, and time,
in this case, no test of their capacity, so
that many horse, like that "gem ofpurest
ray serene" may have had his excellence
buried, and in the dark to "die and leave
no sign"
Many years ago, but still within the re-
collection Of many living tnrfmen, lac
was the best time on record for one mile,
and when Flying Dntcbman accomplished
it in 1;454, over the Biugaman Course, it
was received With uncommon demons!ra-
tions of admiration by au applauding crowd;
and, by the way, it may not be ill-placed
here TO remark and pay proper and de-
served tribute TO the memory Of Mr.
Graves, who eyinced judgment and skill
in his knowledge Of the weather, the con-
dition of the track and the powers of his
horse, uueqlalled by any trainer. Mr..
Lecompf5 Flying Dutchman, Mr.. Ken
ner's Hegira, and Capt. Minors Fanny G..
were entered in race of mile heats,
trained respectively by Small, Graves and
Capt. Minor, The evening previous to the
race Prior, then training for CO... BiGga-
man and now successfully in France for
Mr.. SheckleF, met Small and Graves, the
three having been on terms of intimacy
for many years. "Wel, now" said
Prior, q don't bet much upon a race,
and want you two 10 tell me something
about your horses. | sho.ld like
to make about ten dollars.7 After
some silence Mr. Graves at length replied
TO Mr. Prior thus: 81 don't exactly
known who will win tomorrow, but this l
will say-Hegira will run two heats to-
morrow, each in the tastes! time on record."
The race came Of, the first heat a close
contest between HegiTa and Dalchman, in
l:454, the second heat equally close in
l:494, Mr.. Graves tau, coming within II
hslf second of the time of each heat, and
averaging exactly the time he named. This
Improvement in time continued at all dis
tances, from Eclips-'s delea. Of Sir Henry
ia 7:37 in 1928, to Lexington's conquest
over time itself in 7:l93 And this is all
10 be attributed 10 better breeding, better
training, better riding and better condition
of the track. To what further extent this
improvement in speed may be carried is
yet to be developed in the Seeds Of time !;
which grains will grow and which will
net, is now open matter for turfnen 10
speculate upon.
The fastest time made at mile heats, was
by Revolver, in 1866, l:44f, also Mamons
at Lexington, 1862, on 1:44E. The Fgf
Field and Farm gives Legal Tender credit
for a mile in IA, but that paper acllnowl-
edges The track thirty feet short of q mile,
and the horse is neces, arily not entitled to
that time Hegira ran here at New Or
leans, a mile in 4 two mile dash, but with
catch weight, in l:42!; and let it be re-
nembered that when bets are made on
time, the fall weight for age mus! be up, or
you cannot win.
The fastest two mile race on record was
Lancaster, at Lexington, 3:35f-3:384.
Fastest three mile race was by Norfolk, in
1865, at California, 5:273. Fastest four
mile race was Lexington'5 in 7:19}. The
Turf, Field and Farm has made distiction
between the words Easiest" and "best,"
By considering that time being the same,
or even greater, when more weight Is car
ried, the horse should have credit for 4
better, not a faster race But let the Gun
ming in turf matters make such calcula.
tinns for themselves
Property Holders should never be
without Fire Policy in the old, well
tried, and Reliable State Insurance