The New York herald., 1879-12-08
ST. JULIEN'S 2:12 3-4.
From the Kentucky Record, Dec. 6.l

.
Julien by Volunteer. dam by sayres Harry Clay. at
oakland CAL, in 2:12A makes him. if the track
q mile the king of the trottng turf. Under the
trottng rules "time made ut fairs and any track,
whether short or not. shall constitute bar. the
same as If made track that was full measure.
ment," but the question arises. Was the Oakland
Park track mile which, and at the time. St.
Julien trotted? If not, has st. Julien the right to
claim to be king of the trottng turf? An old turf
man. who has spent several seasons in California,
informs us that several years since Oakland PARK
track was mile, but lacked thirty forty feet
of ii, measured three feet from the inner rail- OF
our knowledge We know nothing OF the
length of this track. 1t may have been heightened
since that time or it may not II the track is forty
feet short st. Julien's time would be about 2:13A
instead Of 2:l2A TO put the question Of st. J9;
that Oakland Park track should be measured three
feet from the inner rail by competent and reliable
engineer We know Of no one on the Pacific slope
more competent to see the track measured than our
friend, Mr.. Joseph Cairn Simpson. He Is q gentle
man strictly reliable and honorable and a certf-
cate bearing his name and competent engineers as
to the length of the track would be acceptable to
the public ut large. II the track is mile let st. Ju
lien all the credit due him for his great per-
formance but IL short under the rules it will act
as bari, he should not be permitted to rob Rarus
We have no interest in the matter either in
owners horses near or remote. beyond getting at
the facts of the case
The chain is the thing
Wherein to catch the merit OF the King.
From the San Francisco Call Nov. 30.l
The two weeks OF beautiful weather eliminated in
ram, and If st. Julien had been lucky enough to
escape the cold which he had unfortunately con-
tracted tho trot could not have taken place.
Many have been surprised that his owners thought
OF attempting repeat the great performance until
the days had heightened and there was longer
period of sunshine between morning anu evening;
but Messrs. Morrow and Hickok were thoroughly
confident of his capacity that they were willing to
risk the trial under adverse circumstances. They
felt that the 2:12l was considered q scratch" by
those who were not familiar with the speed Of the
horse. and were anxious to convince the sceptics
that all that required was tolerably fair show
ing him to repeat it. They solcitous to
move all doubts regarding the true merits of the
horse, and that he was surely the equal and prob
ablv the superior of any trotter which has vet an
peared.
From the San Francisco Alta. Nov. 3O.l
Since the departure Of General Grant, before whom
St. Julien lowered his record the trotting
calendar to unprecedented figure. there has been
much speculation among sportsmen and other
classes OF horse fanciers to his ability repeat
his performance on that occasion, much less to
lower the figures then announced. The authenticity
of the time record which st. Julien enjoys is
not to be reasonably questioned, but there un-
believers in this country as well others; hence
much criticism upon the wonderful performance
Of this equine celebrity has ensued. Soon after the
wires transmitted the news Of this great feat to
the Atlantic States the Eastern papers came to
freghted with paragraphs containing expressions
OF doubt, either 10 the correctness Of the time
given or length of the track which 1t took
place. In to this sceptica current of opinion
the able turf editor OF the California SPIRIT Of the
Times wrote series OF Logical clear ana conclusive
obtained on that day by Mr. Morrow's horse; and in
fact, many strong points were made by the same
pen in favor OF fair probability that st. Julien,
under equally favorable circumstances, could 20
still faster That the scoffers at the fame of this
celebrated horse have some grounds for cavil is not
to be disputed. The announcement that he would
trot at Oakland on the 9th to beat his own time,
showed the confidence Of his owners to be contagious
aud raised an excitement that has not been equaed
for many long day; but despotic nature proved
averse. AS on Friday enough rain fell to make the
track heavy, the owners OF the horse having too
much good sense to risk another ''Tenbroeck-Mc-
Carthy" affair. the trot was indefinitely postponed
wo aS
the qui vipe, gratifed with the advertisement
that The test to be made yesterday over tho Bay
District Course-this track having been selected
its convenience promised larger attendance. and
he distance Of u nIde around The track being fact
that admitted question. As the atmosphere up to
Thursday showed no indication of dam pness tho
firm Of Morrow Hickok furnished damper
through the press, to the effect that the bleak winds
of the bay had proved too severe for their delicate
charge. he having contracted q cold which untitled
him for the anticipated trial. Again
picions awakened. The lack of confidence in
the indulgent weather god displayed by these
gentlemen proved uniortunate had they waited waited
more gracefully from the long-delayed contest
Until ST. Julien removes the doubts which hang
over his present record his contemplated trip to the
East will be comparative failure. Tor which, IL he is
the horse We claim him to be, there can be no ex-
cusc. Even should he succeed in nothing moro
than a repetition of the time In his former trial. he
will have glory enough to insure him brilliant re-
cepton and many profitable engagements during
his anticipated Of the East which, IL made with
q reduction of the time that now ornaments his
name. will add lustre to tho brilliancy of his
fame which is already the brightest tho turf at
every point Of the compass whore the trotter IL
known.