Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-19
HARRY BASSETT AND LONGFEL-
- LOW.
The Great Race at saratoga-The Fast.
est Time On Record.

The Great Race at Saratoga-The Fast.
est Time On Record.
Z Correspondence OF the Cincinnati Enquirer.
NEW YORK, July 16.-To-day's race be-
tween Longfellow and Harry Bassett was
the finest ever witnessed in America. The
tables were completely turned, and the time
was unprecedented, at least on this side of
the Atlantic. The pools sold at three TO
one on Longfellow. After an unimportant
contest, the bugle sounded for the Saratoga
cup. The runners were Longfellow, Harry
Bassett and Defender. Harry Bassett was
the first to show, and as he entered
slowly by tie stand the occupants greeted
him with loud cheer. The horse was in
grand order, and not the most fastidious
connoisseur in horse1esh could find fault
with him. He moved along with more life
and vim than be seemed to have at Long
Branch. Although Harry Bassett was
warmly greeted, it was nothing to the re-
ception that was accorded Longfellow. As
he swept by the stand ringing cheer burst
forth from the male spectators. At length
the preliminaries were arranged, and the
horses took their positions at the head of
the stretch. They were started at once,
and came flying down the stretch. Harry
Bassett was length in front Of Long
fellow as they passed the stand, both
horses going well within themselves; but
the pace was terrific, and Defender soon
dropped away to the rear. Going round the
turn Longfellow closed upon Harry, and as
they ran by the quarter pole his head was
at his opponents girths. Down the back
stretch they few in the same positions,
Harry Bassett having the inside track; and
as neither horse showed any signs Of quit
ting the excitement became fearful. Men
screamed with delight, and when the horses
came up the stretch side by side the stand
was simply q mass of crazy people. Some
of those who had invested on Longfellow
grew white with anxiety, for they never
expected to see Harry Bassett hold his own
so long; while those who were supporting the
latter were correspondingly elated. At the
stand Longfellow crept up to Bassett's
shoulder, but after going round the turn
he suddenly faltered, and in instant Har-
ry Bassett was a length ahead. This made
the friends of the latter deliFious with joy.
Longfellow made another grand squirt, and
as they passed the h2lf-mile pole he got his
head up to Bassett's neck; but, though ap.
parently max NC o gamey race, it was evil
dent that Harry Bassett had the best of it.
He gradually drew away again and came
into the stretch nearly length in
front. But Longfellow wa not done with
him, and, responding gamely to the call of
his jockey, he made a last grand effort to
catch his opponent, 1t was like the charge
of Napoleon's odd Guard at Waterloo-a
magnificent but futile, attempt to change
the fortunes of the day; for Harry Bassett
swept along at undininished speed, and won
the best and fastest race ever run in Ameri-
ca, by half length, in $3.50. Those who
had pinned their faith on Longfellow could
hardly believe their eyes; but when their
horse was pulled up it was seen that he was
dead lame. He had twisted shoe on his
rear foot during the race, and it was hang.
ing to his hoof by single nail. And this
was not the worst, for the shoe Ia! struck
against his hind leg, c,ltting it badly. No
more extraordinary performance by race
horse has, ever been witnessed. His Jockey
says that he met with the accident Just be-
fore reaching the quarter pole on the last
mile, so that h. literally raced three quarters
OF mile with one of the best horses in the |
world on three legs. This was what caused
him to falter, and the only wonder is that |
he was not beaten much further.