The Van Buren press., 1871-08-08
NO.. 10
Longfellow's Last.
Full Accounts Of Kentscky's Great Raese
at SGratogd.

Full Accounts Of Kentscky's 0rsas Rassv
at Saratoga.
New York Tribune Rsport.l
The morning Of the momentous Cup
day broke most auspiciously, but just
about midday, when the races began. the
bright warm sun became obscured by
clouds, and just as the first race was over.
and the bugle had summoned the horses
for the great race ofthe day and meeting.
slight shower fell, but, fortunately.
cleared off almost instantly. The attend.
aace was both large and fashionable, At
tractcd by the fame Of the feet contest
ants in the Cup race, and the greatest en-.
thusiasm prevailed. Since Boston and
Fashion ran their celebrated race on the
Fashion Course, no turf contest has
caused so much excitement as the meet
ing between Longfellow and King6sher
in the Cup to-day. The wonderful exhi-
biiion OF speed which the Kentucky horse
had shown at Long Branch had convinc-
ed the public that the Western men bad
good grounds for their assertions that
Longfellow was the best race horse that
the blue grass region OF Kentucky had
ever produced; but the impression pre-
vailed among a large portion Of the
community that in Mr. Belmonts great
horse Kirglsher he would find rival
worthy Of his. fame aud reputation. and
victory over whom would forever estab.
lish his renown in racing annals. The
race is now decided; Longfellow has
won, and the triumph Of Kentucky 10
complete. The victory is decisive, and
Longfellow has gained imperishable fame
by his mighty achievement OF running
the first mile Of the race in the unparall.
eled time OF | 40. or three seconds faster
than Was ever recorded before.
THE SARATOGA CUP.
For months past, in turf circles, this
race has been anticipated with the great
est interest, in consequence Of the ex-
pectod meeting Of the great Western
racer, Longfellow, and the equine cham
pion of the Eastern turf, Kingfisher. Tho
betting between the two has been cnor.
mously heavy, and in the majority OF in
stances at even. After Mr.. Sanford's
four.year old colt Preakness won the
Westchester Cup, it was thought that he
would prove dangerous rival to both
the "cracks, for he had beaten Helm.
bold and Glenelg with apparent case.
But his decisive defeat by Longfellow st
4 Long Branch, in the Monmouth Cup ex-
,inguished his chance, although it must
be stated that he was far from being up
to the mark in point Of condition in that
race. His withdrawal left the race to the
two Eastern and Western champions.
The defeat OF Finesse and By the. Sea on
the first day of the meeting shook the
confidence Of the partisans Of tho Bel
mont stables, and the night before the
race the odds on LonfeIlow Increased
from 81 900 to 5000, to 81, 900 to 8400,
at which rate Dr. Underwood sold few
pools but there was not much money
invested, as the Kingfsher party were far
from anxious to take these odds, and the
turf spectators followed suit. On the
course, this morning, not blow was
struck until the horses were saddled, and
then the betting commenced in earnest.
Odds Of 81, 900 to $500 were offered and
taken, and. in several instances, 1000
to e400 was laid on Longfellow's win.
ming. The Kingfsher division did not
bet much. The start was from the three.
quarter pole, and. was effected without
any delay Longfellow took the lead,
and made the running at Q terrific pace.
As they came up the stretch and swept
under the string, Longfellow was two
lengths ahead the first quarter being
run in 24i seconds. Around the turn
past the quarter pole. (the second quar-
ter being run in rs seconps) along the
back and lower stretches to the starting
point, Longfelow continued his flying
career with the gap of two clear lengths
still open, the first mile being run in the
unparalleled time OF one minute and forty
seconds, according to the official timer.
H. p. McGrath, Esq, Of Kentucky. This
10 the fastest time on record, and affords
conclusive evidence Of the wonderful
speed Of Mr. Harper's horse. Passing
under the string the second time Zone
mile and quarter), Longfellow had In.
creased his lead to four clear lengthe.
which he held aronnd the upper turn,and
then, drawing further away from his H.
val, led him six lengths at the quarter.
pole. Along the back stretch, despite
Kingfshsrs efforts. he opened . gap OF
eight lengths, but his rider, Bobby Swim.
then took pull at him, and at the half.
milo pole four lengths separated them.
On the lower side he let out another reef
OF speed, and at the starting point, hav-
ing traversed two miles Of the distance,
he was six lengths ahead. Coming up
the home.strctch on the last quarter, HE
rider eased him little and no slackened
his pace perceptibly, but being reused
with the spur he gallantly responded and
galloped homo an easy winner. With bis
jockey looking back triumphantly over
his shoulder, by three clear lengths, IN
4 :02a. The time is not equal to Ken.
tucky's famous record in the same race
and over the same course :0l}). but
the track to day was not in such good
condition as on that occasion, nor did
Kentucky run the first mile at such ter.
rife rate as did Longfellow to-day. Mr..
Harper was overwhelmed with congratu.
lations on his signal victory, and the
countenance Of the venerable Kentucky
turfsman was expressive OF delight and
satisfaction at the glorious performance
Of his horse. He declared, after the race.
that no money could purchase him, but
that he would next season be put to the
-. Al L.