New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-20
Harry Bassert aud l.oHefeliosE- The "a

Harry Bassert ana g.onefeliov-T The Fast-
est Time on Record.
We copy the following special to the Gin
cinnati Enquirer:
NEW YORK, July l6.-To-days race be-
tween L0ngfellOw and Harry Bassett was
the.fnest 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 unimport-
ant contest the bugle sounded for the Sara
toga cup. The runners were LongfelloW,
Harry Bassett and Defender Harry Bias
sett was the first to show, and as be can
tered slowly by the staRd the occupants
greeted him with loud cheer. The horse
was in grand order, and4nOt the most tas-
tidious connoisseur in horsehesh could find
a fault with bin. He moved along with
more life and vim than he seemed to have
at Long Branch.
Although Harry Bassett was warmly
greeted, it was nothing % the reception that
was accorded Longfellow. AS he swept by
the stand ringing cheer burst forth from
the male spectators. Atlength the prelimI-
naries were arranged, and the horses took
their positions at the head Of the stretch
They we're started at once, and came flying
down the stretch. Harry Bassett was
length III front Of L0ng'ellow 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 around the turn LOngtellow closed
upon Harry, and as they ran by the quarter
pOle his head was at bis opponents girths.
Down tie back stretch they flew in the
same positions, Harry Bassett having the
inside tracks and as neither. horse showed
any signs OF quitting, the excitement became
fearful Men screamed with delight, and
when the horses came mp the stretch side
by side the stand was simply mass OF
crazy people.
Some OF those who had invested an Long
fellow grew white with anxiety, for they
never expected to see Harry Bassett hold
his own so long, while those who were sup
porting the latter were correspondingly
elated At the stand LOngfell0w crept up
to Bafsett's shoulder, bat after going round
the turn he suddenly falteFed, and in an
instant Harry Bassett was length ahead.
This made the friends Of the latter deliTious
with joy Longfellow then made another
grant squirt, and as they passed the half
mile pole he got his head up to Bassett's
neck, but, though apparently making a
gamey race, it was evident that Harry Bas-
sett had the best of it. He gradually drew
away again and came into the stretch
nearly length in front. But Longfellow
was not done gith him, and, responding
last grand effort to catch his opponent.
To was like the charge of NapOleon's Old
Guard at WaterloO-a magnificent; but fu-
tile attempt to change the fortunes of the
day, for Harry Bassett swept along at un-
diminished speed, and won the best and
fastest race ever run in America, by half a
length, in 1853 Those who had pinned their
faith on LQngfellow could hardly believe
their eyes, but when their horse was pulled
up it was seen that he was dead lame. He
had twisted the shoe ON his near foot during
the race, and it was hanging to his hOof by
a single nail And this was not the worst,
for the shoe had struck against his hind leg,
cutting it badly. No more extraordinary
performance by a race horse has ever been
Witnessed. His jockey says that he met
with the accident Just before reaching the
quarter pole on the last mile, SO that he lit
orally raced three quarters Of mile with
one Of the best horses in the world on three
legs THIS was what caused him to talter,
and the only wonder is that he was not
beaten much further.
A New York 81 ecial to the Cincinnati
Gazette 8, "a:
Sporting men suffered heavily on the de-
feat of LongfellOw at Saratoga Many who
lost on LongfellOw at Long Branch tried to
Get even bv betting this time on Bassett
and some Of them made heavy bets at the
rate Of ten to five. The amount changing
hands in this city is very great, and dis
patches from Saratoga say that there was
some very heavy betting there among all
classes of visitors. Several men have tele
graphed for remittances to enable them to
get home, and the probability is that the
sufferers are numerous. Several special
and private dispatches say that Longfellow
is seriously injured in the fore leg, and one
dispatch says lie will never be able to run
again Fifty thOusand> dollars were offered
yesterday for LongfellOw, but John Harper
stated that twice that sum would not buy
him. A large number Of New Workers went
to the race, the trains being densely
crowded.
NEW York, July ia Saratoga special
says that poor Longfellow, in his stable
this evening, presented a picture of
misery. There g a complete circle cut from
the centre of his boot extending round the
cornet ring to his heel. His middle tendon
tonight is three times the natural size. 1t
appears that he broke his shOe-plate on one
OF his hind legs at the half-mile pole, when
ne was tapping Bassett, and cut his fore
foot with it. No doubts exist in the minds
of experienced turfmen that he is complete
ly broken down, and will never appear in
public again. Uncle Harper is completely
overcome, and walks about with sorrowful
looks. 1t is to be regretted that the ques-
ton Of superiority has not been decided, for
Longfellow tonight is as much, if not more,
the hero than Bassett.