The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-17
Race Notes.-The sarstsss Meeting
Harper and hiA Horsss-An Eng.
Iishman's 926, 600 Wager.

4Hg.s..
Race Notes.-The sarstsgs Meeting
Harper and hiA Horsss-An Eng.
Iishman's s25, coo wager.
A correspondent Of the New York
Times, writing from Saratoga. gives
some information concerning the turf
celebrities now there in anticipation of
the summer meeting which opened yes
terday and continues six days. The
story of King6sber's going .amiss in
his training, thereby putting off his
great match with Longfellow, is thus
told:
The facts are that on Thursday
morning, as the horses were taking
their usual training exercise, Kingfsher
suddenly dropped and staggered in his
fore legs. then a culver, as though in
pain, shook his body, and he limped
badly. He was Immediately taken to
the stables, when it was ascertained
that the tendons were strained, and that
he could not run in the coming race,
and would not soon, if ever, be able to
resume his former speed. The poor
creature frequently lifted up and looked
down at his bsndaged limbs with a
pathetic expression and Whitney.
JOHN HARPER AND HIS HORSE.
had an interesting interview with
his owner, Mr.. John Harper, the vet
eran Kentucky turfman. Mr.. Harper
is the proprietor of 5000 acres of land
and large number OF equine and bo-
vine stock. He is nearly seventy years
of age and a bachelor. His dress is
exceedingly plain and his entire appear
ance very like that of the late Henry
Clay. l found him seated upon a
bench in front OF his stables engaged in
mending broken surcingle, and he
gave me q brief history Of his pet
Lougfellow was sired by bennington,
dam Nantura. This year he won the
Post stakes, for all ages, at two mile
heats, winning the two heats and beat
ing tour others. At Lexington, Ken.
lucky, this year he walked over the
course, all other horses having been
withdrawn. He also won the Mon
mouth gold cup, valued at $500, at
Long Branch. This was for all ages,
and in it he beat Helmbold, Regards,
and Preakness, (time AL } also the
Saratoga cup, for all ages, two and a
Quarter miles, easily beating King
fisher in 4;O2i. Longfellow ran the first
mile of this race in lao, (Kiugfsher in
about l:4l, )second mile in l:53-making
two miles in 3:33-and the last quarter
mile Of the race at the rate OF l:59. MIR.
Harper says that he has loved horses
ever since he was "a little shaver" and
will until he dies. As he spoke, Long
fellow, accompanied by Llttleton and
Express, came up, and gently placed
his nose over Mr.. Harper's shoulder,
and acted very much like fondled
child. The other horses followed suit,
and were patted affectlonately in return.
This old gentleman sleeps in nice,
comfortable place near his pets. When
he is absent, which is seldom, Jimmy,
a gray.haired assistant, remains. Four
faithful colored men are also there at
all hours. A trained watchdog guards
the door. Fifty thousand dollars in
cash have been refused for Longfellow.
Llttleton has achieved great success in
Kentucky, having, at Lexington, won a
two-mile heat in 3:344. He is four
years old. Express is but three years
old, is light, graceful and quick, and
has also met with fine success at the
same place.
THE ENGLIsHMANs WAGER.
Mr.. Pryor. Of England, has offered
to place an English colt, with stake
OF five thousand pounds sterling, against
any American colt, in a one and one
half mile race. The proprietor OF
Harry Bassett will accept the challenge
with twenty-five thousand dollars.