The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-09-04
Dexter-king of the TrOtters

Dexter-king of the TrOtters!
The famous trotter, is brown horse, of
rich, decided color, with four white legs,
and a blaze in the face. He stands fifteen
hands and an inch high, has head demo-
ting great fire and resolution, straight,
muscular neck, and fine, deep shoulders
He is long horse and very deep through
the heart. His back is good, his quarters
are uncommonly powerful, and his thighs
and arms could hardly be surpassed His
legs are clean, and his back sinews large
and prominent.
Dexter was bred by Mr.. Jonathan Haw-
kins, of Orange county, n. Y. He was got
by Hambletonian. a horse much inbred to
the imported thoroughbred horse Messen
ger, and is the result of an out-cross from
an inbred stallion. This is n method of
breeding which has produced many of the
best horses that have figured on the rum
ming turf; and which, in this instance, I'M
questionably produced the best trotting
horse that ever looked through a Bride
DexteI's dam was small black mare, by
American Star, and she was out of
Sharks dam, whose pedigree is unknown.
American Star was high-bred horse of
uncommon game and bottom.
Dexter was foaled in 1885, and though
he was four years old, he was not much
fancied by purchasers. There was a preju-
dice against his white legs and face. Mr..
James Jacks, of Long Island, saw him,
however, recommended Mr.. George Alley
to 60 to Orange county and look at him.
Mr.. Alley is one of the best judges of
horse to be found among the amateurs, and
he purchased Dexter for S400. He was
then four years old, unbroken, and had
never had a feed of oats in his life. The
fall that he was five years old he was sent
to the late Hiram Woodruff to be handled.
1t may be remarked here that Woodruff7s
book on the american Irotters contains a
full history Of Dexter, with an account of
all his marvellous feats and performances.
His first trial to a wagon was 2.40, and
in week he went mile in harness in2.314
Hiram Immediately came to the conclusion
that this green young horse was an extra
ordinary good one, and before the following
year was over he had made up his mind
that he would make the King of the Trot-
| tiers. He won four races in his first season.
and lost one, having hit himself i'll it, by
reason of which he was withdrawn. That
fall he was sharpened up again, and went
a trial of mile in harness in 2.234 He
was then six years old, and had been train
ed but part of one season. The next year
Dexter won seven races and lost one, and
in that one he was not in first-rate condi
of three-mile heats, under saddle; the match
against time in which he trotted in2. 1915;
and race of two-mile heats to wagon, in
which he trotted the second heat in 4.56i
Thus early was it demonstrated that in adj
dition to his fine action and enormous
speed, he had that other great essential
quality-unflinching game, together with
very great bottom. The next year Dexter
won nineteen times and lost once, when he
was not up to the mark, and he travelled
thousands of miles by railroad. In the
next year, he continued his victories. He
made the best time to wagon on the Fash
ion Course-2.24; beat Flora Temple time
in harness by trotting on the half-mile
track at Riverside Park, Boston, in 49,
and finally capped the climax of excellence
and fame by going in 2.174 in harness at
Buffalo. He was beat that year twice; but
it was by Ethan Allen, assisted by run
ming mate which is not trotting. But
though defeated, De1ter's speed, courage,
exalted him in the opinion of good judges,
and showed that he was still improving
In the first of these races, the team won in
2.15, ZIG, and 2.19. Dexter trotted the
heats in about 2.161, All, and 22O His
fastest winning heat was the s.174i, at Buff
falo, and when he made that time the
course was slow. 1t has since been altered
and improved.
We may sum up what Dexter did on the
race-coursesby stating that he made the best
time under saddle, the best time in har-
ness, the best time to wagon, and the best
two-mile time to wagon. He possesses all
the qualities that horse ought to have
namely fine action, speed, bottom, game,
high courage, splendid constitution, and
| soundness
Since he has been in the possession of
Mr.. Bonner, he has become as famous as
road horse as he was upon the turf. His
latest notable exploit was trotting inlet to
a road wagon, driven by Mr.. Bonner, at
Prospect Park Course, in 2.23'. The weight
behind him then was 312 pounds. 1t is
held by the best judges that he is better
horse now than he ever was before; and it
is thought that if he had again regular
preparation, he would greatly surpass his
previous performances.
In looking back at his exploits, it is to be
remembered that after he was seven years
old he never met any single horse that
could make him trot his best when he was
at the pitch of condition. The observations
of the wisest OF those who have driven
against him are to this effect: {" 1t is of no
use to talk about beating him; no horse
that ever lived could do it," His renown
is worldwide. Warriors and statesmen
boast of having ridden behind him, and he
has been made a subject of discussion in
foreign courts. His marvellous exploits
seemed incredible to the monarchs of
Europe. The Emperor of the French
"shook his head" and General Fleury did