The New York herald., 1871-12-24

Matte Howard Trots Twenty Miles withih
the Hour.


Matte Howard Trots Twenty Miles Witi,iA
the Hour.
SAN FRANCISCO Dec. 8, 1871.
The match trotting race against time came on as
per announcement at Agricultural Park yesterday
afternoon. Tins match was made about two months
since-WIliam Woodward stalking $1,000 against
$1,000 that horse could not be produced within
ninety days from the time the match was proposed
that could perform the feat OF trotlng twenty miles
within an hour over q haf-mle track. Matrle
Howard formerly Kate) was chosen by Colonel
Dickey for the performance OF this feat and brief
history OF the mare may not be out OF place. J. s.
McCue, stage man, anu Michael Reese, his partner
al the time, bought her several years out OF
band OF forty horses fer $40, and placed her In the
lead Of stage team Of. SIX, where sns remained q
year. She was then sold for S45. Afterward she
was sold to a man in Marysvllle by T. W. McCue for
sos. Mr. Tobin Of TINS city, then purchased her for
$780, and she finally came into the hands OF Colonel
Dickey Tor 5000, to go In the race OF yesterday.
The mare Is a CHESTNUT weighs IN the nelghoor-
hood OF 775 pounds, we'll and compactly put to-
gether with flesh as hard and muscles as strong as
one would wish to see In any horse and remark
ably spirlted-generaly considered little hard
on the biz. Matte is about years old, and car
ries her head as proudly as o peacock. she has q
record OF about 2:36.
Judges, and the timers were Colonel Il. O. Gather
wood, }. Ii. McAllister ana Abner Barker. Barney
Rice, an experienced driver, was chosen TO hold the
relns during the task, ana Dick Cough was brought
out on tne track US teaser, win Colonel Dickey
behind hlnl. Rice drove TO rule-l50 pounds, Pool
selling Was carried on during most OF the hour IN
which the race was being trotted AT the COM
mencement the betting was 500 to $2S that the lit
tie mare could not accomplish the task which she
was about to undertake. The track was cleared
and the mare called up at about half past two
O'clock. BY this time large crowd had assembled
TO witness tins unusually long race; some lmpelled
by curiosity, While great portion came TO .guess''
on the race, either on time or on the mare All
proper arrangements having been settled, the har
ness examined t,, 70 see tnat t was sound e Matte
pected to do, looking as fresh Us daisy and as iu
Of lie as young colt.
Dick Cough, the teaser, took the lead the mare
trailing with her nose close up to tn6 driver OF
mile. In o race or this klnd-twenty miles an hour
great caution s necessary not to go too fast In the
last Of the race Matte 1roted in company with
Dick Cough Tor the first five miles, He was then
pulled out. and the mare went by herself. she
showed no signs OF distress whatever, and looked
as game as when SHE started, the first mile being
rotted in 1868, the second in 269h, third in 3:O2ls
fourth IN 3:0O1a and the 1ith in 2:58A. Pools sold
about tue same as when the race commenced. AT
the end OF the tenth mile looked very fresh, and
had no more appearance OF being tired tnan most
horses show after trottmg two miles. She was now
twenty-eight seconds ahead OF Time and ner back
rs na %es Sns e sT Asr
onds ahead Of time. AT the end OF fifteen miles she
was still game ana roltlng very smoothly,
having 83H seconds leeway to go on. There
were several large bets made even that
she would not make nfteen miles inside
OF time, and those VINO had won on the little
mare felt very JuDllant. Rice was informed at the
END OF every mile how fast he was going ana Occa-
sionally now much ahead OF time. Betting was
In Iavor OF Matte at 500 to $4O On the seven.
tcenth mlle as the stand was passed, Rice was
gently clucklng TO her. and she responded with her
usual spirit She blew but very little, and was not
covered with loan as some horses are alter going
two or three miles without stopping. The friends |
of Matte were uoilant, and the excitement was IN
tensificd al every circuit made. The eighteenth |
mile was made in 2:55l4. After going another half
mile Dick Cough was started IN again, and followed
slightly behind her the remaining mile ana half. |
In the last mile she made short break, only the |
second one in the whole twenty she having broken
once IN the first mile. While the last mile was be-
ing trotted the crowd became very excited, and as
Rice drove under the line (wnIer OF the SIS, 600 In
59:3oa) enthusiastic cheers were given Matte How
ard and her driver Barney Rice. Tor performing the
wonderful feat OF irOtiing twenty miles within an
hour over q halfml track. Following tSa
SUMMARY.
AGRICULTURAL PARK, SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. o.
Trotiing match against Lmc-twenty miles an hour,
over hali-mile track, to rule. Stake $1,000 against