The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-30
THE DEMOCRAT, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30,

nearly all summer, which OF one time as
sumed decidedly sectional character, Coi
Webs assailing Mr.. Ten Brock with much ,l
bitterness, and, among other things charging
him with issuing challenges In which he made
"the conditions 50 unequal, complicated and
absurd that he could not himself have ex-
pected any one to take him up"
1s55-LExINaToN VS.. TIME.
After Lexington recovered from his runa.
away he was sent back to New Orleans, and
on the second day of April, 1885, over the old
Metairie course, he made his famous race
against time. The parties to the race had al
arrived some days before and the city fairly
swarmed with visitors The day was one Of
the iovelest Of the season, while the attend
ance was something, wonderful, the ladies' re-
ception committee finding 1t very difficult to
seat their fair charges In the stand. The
Judges selected were distinguished for honor
and their knowledge of racing law. Gen.
Stephen NJ. Westmore represented. Virginia
and the hackers Of "time.'' Arnold Harris
represented Mr.. Ten, Brock and the horse
with Mr. John G. Cocks, President Of the
Metairie Jockey Club, as umpire The
timers were Duncan T. Kenner, Capt. WI
Minor and Stephen B. Elliott. The betting
was large, with the horse firm favorite OF
start with Lexington, to urge him, to
Of Ewing Giving The horse s '' trimming running
start. Both Of these points the judges decided
in favor Of the horse. Fitzpatrick was the
tho weight 900 pounds) and therefore rode at
1903 pounds. With Joe Blackburn on the
track to help him in the running, Fitzpatrick
took Lexington down to the drawgate, and
without any loss Of time came up at good
pace good, In fact, that he left blackburn
away behind, and ran the first half In fifty
three seconds and the mile in Az, which
was too fast to suit, and Gilpatrlck received
orders to pull up, which he did. In the sec
ond mile Arrow took Blackburn's place, but
any, use, the mile being run in 1;52hs, which
made 1t 3:39H for the two miles. In the
third mile Arrow closed up on Lex
ington, and the latter increased his
pace the mile being run In :51Ha, and
The three miles in 8 81. Upon entering the
Blackburn started again, but, as In the first
mile, Lexington at once left him away behind
and kept right along until the last furlong,
In which he swerved SO badly that Fitzpatrick
had much difficulty to keep him on the course
or 7 1874 for the total, which was just six and
quarter seconds better than the time he
started to beat. The track, although in good
order, was hard, and in the race Lexington
lost his left fore plate and half the right one.
Littell 8 four year-old colt Fellowcraft lowered
the record at Saratoga tot: 1917, which figures
were still further lowered at Louisville on
September ~, 1876 by Harper's Ten Brock,
who won match against time in 7:154, he
carrying 104 pounds to Fellowcraft's 10S
pounds.
1S55-LExINGToN VS.. LECoMTE.
The Lexington meeting of the Metairie
Club followed, and as usual ended with race
of four mile heats for o purse of $1,000. 1t
had two entries, Lexington and Lecomte,
with an inside bet of $500 each between Mr..
Ten Brock and Col Wells. Lecomte had had
a long rest and although he had run in and
won several races, he and Lexington were
about equal In the amount of work each had
done. The announcement OF another race
them produced tremendous excite
ment, and as may be expected New Orleans
was all excitement on the morning Of April
10. The day was good, as also the track,
while the attendance Is said to have out-num-
bered the crowd present on the day Of the
time race. The betting was heavy, with Lex
ington the favorite at the odds of 100 to 80
which the Red River planters eagerly snap
on four legs could beat Lecomte Both horses
were In fine condition. Lecomte stepped
about" while he was being
saddled, while Lexington, with sedate and
intelligent I aspect, looked calmly around, as Il
expected and deserved" At the tap Of the
drum they got away on even terms, and ran
nearly SO to the half mile pole In So seconds.
In rounding the turn Lexington gradually
rev away from Lecomte. and at the end Of
,hree-quarters of a length, In running the
irst half OF the second mile Lecomte closed
Up, and at the half they were again even; but
fitzpatrick let up ever so little of the pull he
aad on Lexington, and again the colt drew
lway from Lecomte, so that at the end of the
second mile he led by length, the mile hav-
ng been run In :51-3 :4OI for the two miles.
Is they passed the stand the cheering WAS
terrific while offers to back Lex
ngton ait 100 to, rs found no takers. In
he st third IN mile Lecomte continued led
drop Rider pack used both "tn %hp a as
pur, Lexington increased his lead to
our lengths as he passed the stand, the
bird mile having also been run In 81, or
81 for three miles, just half second
lower than the three miles had been run In
he time race Cent In running ming the th fourth mile
ook notion to go for distance, but a
.allant effort by Lecomte saved that dis
race. Lexington, however. finished the heat
o fast and strong that although hard held he
vas literally running away; The mile was
our miles 1924, the best heat up to that
tme ever made In race. Lecomte was so
that he could not come to In time
md was withdrawn, and the grand struggle
'etween Louisiana and Kentucky ended In
lie SUCCESS Ol Tue up-COuHUEy nOTSe.
This was Lexington's last race, and he was
etired with credit of having won $56.500.
lie was at first sent to Mr.. w. F Harper's, in
where he made the seasons of 1855
md 1856. In the latter year he was bought
~ Mr.. II. A. Alexander for $4,000 and trans
erred to WOODBURY., where he lived until the
pring Of 1876 and where he died. Lecomte
an at Natchez In November, 1855, when he
,eat Arrow four mile heats In :551I and :56s4.
n December, at New Orleans, Arrow beat
Iecomte at three mile heats in 5 $50 and 03,
Iecomte winning the FIRST heat in 6 minutes.
fewldays after Lecomte walked over" for
he four mile purse. At Natchez, In March,
$50, Ten Broeck's Pryor, then three years
I'D, beat Lecomte at four mile heats in AZ
md 7 4424, as he also did at New Orleans in
Ipril in a race of three mile heats In 1914
nd H. Lecomte winning the first heat In
:5s24, after which Mr.. Ten Brock bought
4ecomte for $4,000 and in July following
hipped him with Prior and Prioress for Eng
and. Leeomte started once in 1857, when he
vas beaten for the Warwick Cup by Fisher
nan AMI Oakball. On October Of that year
e died of collie.