Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-21

Matthew Smith Takes ofTshe Rrenaiuna. |
The Memphis appeal gives the following |
account of the trotting race over the Fair |
Ground track at that place on Wednesday; |
The race, which was called the Great, BY |
common consent was the chief feature yes
terday. For two hours before the race COM
menced both wings of the stand were crowd
ed with ladies and gentlemen, who waited
anxiotisly and patiently for the beginning
of the affair. About half past three O'Clock,
the animals were trotted out---thres
of them, Matthew Smith, Surprise and
Hopkins. Every 4 one was surprised
that there were not more horses TO content
for $2,500 Matthew Smith Is bay horse;
the other two are greys. While cayorting
about the stand and exercising over the
track prior to the race, Surprise carried him
self so @andly and stepped SO neatly that
ne became favorite. Hoskins won admir-
ers also by reason of his great energy and
mettle, and the picturesque curve Of his
neck. He, however, showed a nearer rela-
tionship with the turf than either of the
other two; his thin, genteel legs, long,
slender neck, and dilating nos
trils, showed blood. He was not
a favorite by any means, except with
few eonnoisseurs ON the reporters gallery.
Among the crowdapseme liYeliness was
evinced in betting. The gray animals took
well; there were odds given upon them;
and great number of people got taken in
onthem. We know afew folks who came TO
the city with repleted pockets and smiling
faces in the evening; most OF them rode
home on the engine. They could not, like
common folks, find room in the coaches.
Their high spirits required open air and a
wide ofing. Us 0la -@iiafal alii 30 nolr0c
First Hedt.-Tbe horses, in the express
siye words Of the fancy, came to the scratch
'smiling," Smith was inside, Surprise
next. The inside horse got away first.
Before reaching the quarter they trailed,
like wild geese going South, at this season.
Going towards the half-mile post, Surprise
went up and ran along side Of Smith all
round the long turn. The run home was
so close that the crowds cheered and coun-
ter-cheered, the friends of each horse
being convinced that their animal was
ahead. Hoskins was not in the calculation,
because he failed to make an impression
during the heat. Not until the horses
reached within a few jumps Of the start
ing point was it evident that Smith had a
decided advantage. He came in length or
two In front, Surprise second, Hoskins
third, Time, 1851 The quarter mile
was made In 363, the half mile in ZIG. It
was slow race.
Second Hedt. Smith out first again, after
number of bad starts. The horses ran
pretty close together to the quarter pole.
Hoskins promised better this time at the
starting, but he lost ground by "breakiDg."
Surprise runs calamity pand collars Smith.
They have pretty trot together down the
back stretch. At the half mile post Sur
prise broke, and lost ground almost hope
lessly. Hoskins gathered up his
launches and jumped to the wheels
of Smith. He gave promise of
doing something pretty. The specta-
tors cheered Justify, as they always do when
anything unexpected happens at a race
Surprise recovered himself and shot up
again, while Hoskins dropped back again
to his old gait. The horses came calamity
home, Smith having such decided ad-
vantage that every one felt he had the heat,
when, however, within few lengths Of the
string the speed of the horse was accident
ly slackened, and Surprise put in neck or
so ahead of him, Hoskins third. Time 2:38.
Third Hedt.-The start in this heat was
fine. The three horses buzzed past the
stand in delightful order. They reached
the quarter pole in 96a Hoskins then grad
ually fell behind, while Smith went up BET
ter and better and there appeared no hope
for Surprise. On the long turn, however,
he brushed up a little and a general cry was
raised that Surprise was going to win. 1t
gave way very soon to another cry, ''Smith
has got him. and it became evident that
the bay horse could not be "got over" in
that way. The crowd became
excited and cheers long, loud
and ringing rent the air. A few
people at the reporters stand were sur
prised at the feeling exhibited when they
recollected that only week or two ago
there were races on the same track with a
dozen such struggles not witnessed by over
five hundred people and there was very lit
tie cheering, though there were thousands
of dollars bet on the result. The contest
between Surprise and Smith was considered
very close. On the home run Smith came
in whipping. He got the heat by halt a
length. Time 2:353a. '
Hoskins got the fourth heat amid furious
excitement, and deafening cheers. The last
heat was run in the twilight, and was won
! by Smith.