The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-08-05

LoNGFELLow AND KINGFIsHER.-The great
racing event of the year, the meeting of the
wonderful horses Longfellow and Kingfsher,
in the race of four miles over the Saratoga
course in August, is now the most prominent
subject of discussion all over the country
Having divided The honors at the July meeting,
when Longfellow defeated Kingfsher for the
Saratoga Cup, two and a-quarter miles, but al
lowed Kingfishcr to walk over for the three
mile purse the same week, there are sufficient
reasons for the confidence of the respective ad-
mirers Of both horses, which is manifested in
the numerous bets, great and small, on even
terms, already made
Before the race for the cup, in July, the King
fisher party, including Mr.. Belmont, his owner,
and Pincus, his trainer, evidently thought that
his speed was greater than that of any horse in
the country, and that he could afford to run
"waiting race" relying upon grand "Chifney
rush" at the finish. Hence Palmer, probably
under orders, pulled the "Fisher" behind at the
start, allowing Longfellow to dart ahead and
gain an advantage of several lengths in the
first eighth of a mile. At the same time it was
the opinion of the friends of Longfellow, in
GLIDING his veteran owner and trainer, Mr..
Harper, that it was his policy to run for every
inch of the ground, "from eend to eend," as he
expressed it. And, in accordance with that
idea, Bobby Swim drove the noble animal to
his utmost powers as long as there was run in
minute and forty seconds, according to half q
dozen watches in the hands of turfmen of ex-
perience.
The result of the race probably changed the
opinions of both parties. The fact was demon
stratcd that Longfellow's speed was terrific,
and that waiting race would gain no advan-
tages for any horse over him while the fact
that Kingfisher seemed to Outlast him gaining
probably five lengths in the last half mile,)
may have established for the son of Lexington
confidence in his staying qualities, especially
as he was believed by many to be q shade too
high in flesh. Longfellow was never reached
in the race, and won by several lengths; but
his last half mile was only big gallop, though
probably doing his best. Kingfsher did not
"give it up" entirely, until within two hundred
yards of the stand. Although Kingfsher evil
IDENTIFY lost two or three lengths by his waiting
policy at the start it is not likely that he could
have beaten Longfellow for the cup on that
day. That Longfellow allowed him to walk
for the three-mile race few days after is fair
ly attributable to the judgment IF Mr.. Harper
that his horse was at least not il. proved by the
cup race, while it was just the work which
Kingiisher seemed 10 need.
1t is well known that no amount of banter
ing would induce Mr.. Harper to start Long
fellow againt Kingfsher for a three-mile race,
and that the hackers of the latter were eager to
bet from $4,000 to $4,000 that he would beat
Longfellow for the race of four miles at the
August meeting, for which Mr.. Harper an
nounced his intention to start his horse. The
$4,000 was finally taken and numerous bets
on even terms have followed.
That the great race will take place there is
now not the slightest doubt. Pincus will have
time to give the "Fisher" the grand prepara-
tons, while a little ''let up" followed by Mr..
Harpers most careful attention, will doubtless
bring Longfellow to the post in the best posi-
BILE condition. Mr. Harper has expressed the
opinion that the cup race did not hurt his
horse, and announced his determination to
beat Lexington's four-mile time, 7:198, while
the Kingfsher party are still willing to bet
their money that he will beat Longfellow.
Both horses were doing remarkably we'll at
last advices from Saratoga. Their work will
be watched with great interest as the meeting
approaches, and many thousands are hoping
that no accident may prevent their meeting in
August in contest the equal to which cannot
be witnessed more than once in a lifetime.
The weeks racing is to commence on We'd
nesday, August 16, and as every good race
horse in the country will be in attendance, the
sport cannot fail to be grand, ''from eend to
eend."