Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-20
THE SARATOGA CUP.

THE SARATOGA CUP.
The second race was dash of two and a
quarter miles for the Saratoga Cup, which
was worth $1,000 to tie winner, and for
which, out Of the twelve nominations, only
Longfellow, by imported bennington, Har-
ny Bassett, by Lexington, and Defender, by
John Morgan, put In an appearance. At
the pool stand Longfellow was hot favor
tie, selling freely in the pools at the odds Of
three and four to one over Bassett, while in
pool of $3.50 Defender only brought $40.
As usual, Jimmy Roe was on Bassett, Sam
pie, who rode Longfellow at Long Branch,
being again ON the big horse, while the once
famous fitzpatrick was on Defender.
tsAA& THE RACE. - AssA3E5 !
With little or no delay the two cracks
and their attendants proceeded to the quar-
ter-pole, at the head of the stretch, where
they were soon joined by Mr.. Wheatly,
who without an instan'5 delay drot-
ped bis flag, and the three were of. at
once Basset took the lead, running very
freely with Longfellow almost even, and
with Defender almost length behind the
two. At the fnriong-pole Bassett was
about half length in front Of LongfeIlow,
who was still being pulled very stroag.
Passing the stand the first time Bassett led
full length, with Defender two lengths
behind the big one. Going round the turn
Longfellow closed up fully half a length,
but dropped away again as Roe gave Bassett
his head a trifle. At the quarter a length
separated them, with Defender five lengths
behind and clean out of the race. Going along
the back stretch Longfellow would 90 up to
Bassetts saddle-girth as if to pass him, but
each time Roe would seem to let out link.
and the colt would again draw away. AT
the half it was q length; in the turn it was
half; but again at the three quarters it was
a length. Coming up the stretch the pace
was visibly increased, and they passed the
stand for the second time going almost To-
connective speed, with Longfellow almost I'D
even. In the turn Bassett drew away from
the horse again, and as they swung round
the turn by Hunter & Traver's stable Bas-
sett was about three quarters of length In
front. At the quarter Longfellov was still
second, with Bassett half length in front.
Going down the backstretch Longfellow be-
gan series of spurts, but Bassett was able
each time TO hold his own. At the half he
was still half length in front, but in tile
turn Longfellow closed up almost ever, and as
they swung into the homestretch they were
almost dead even. Coming up the stretch
Bassett again drew a trihe away from
I4ongfellow, who instantly got both whip
and spur from Sample, but be failed to re-
spond, though he still stuck CALAMITY to
Bassett, who continued to lead, winning the
most desperate race ever run between two
horses, by a length, in 1853. Tie scene was
now one of the widest excitement; the
of the Bassett confederacy and
their friends fairly Rugged each other in
their enthusiasm. On returning to weigh,
Bassett and Roe were cheered until the
very heavens seemed to echo it back. But
it was hushed as Longfellow was
seen coming back from where he was pull
ed up. His near foreleg was hanging
almost useless, and it was at once recoS.
nized that he had broken down. 1t ap-
pears that somewhere ins the last mile
be broke the main cord over the ankle.
Some thought he broke it near the quarter
pole, and that he ran the tbree-quarters of
. mile in this crippled condition. Others
claim that he did not break down until af-
Ter he passed the stand and just before he
pulled up. 1t is certain, however, that he
did not show any lameness until he was
pulled up.
THE TIME.
Il Z. 4. :.