The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-29
Some Famous Races.

The yerv mention of the TennySalvator
match was enough to awaken recollections
Of great match races of the past run close
TO New York Now that the match has
taken place and will long hold an important
position in the list of famous horse races,
turfmen are everywhere indulging IN
"reminiscences. The veterans go back to
the historical days when American Eclipse,
Fashion and Peytona held aloft the banner
Of the north against tho most celebrated
of southern and western horses. Though
II vas nearly seventy years ago. the first
Of these great matches between the north
and south run on the Union course, Long
Island, May 81 1929 still holds first place
among the famous races or America.
American Eclipse, born and reared on Long
Island. was the representative OF the nortn.
while the south had its choice of any OF
four horses that had been specially pre-
pared for the contest, at four mile heats,
over the old race course between East New
York and Jamaica, recently cut up into
building lots. Sir Henry was chosen to rep
resent the south. The match was for S2O,-
900 side or $4,000 in all, and history says
that such a crowd witnessed it that it was a
difficult matter to keep the track clear. Sir
Henry won the first heat in 1897 and then
those who believed in the southern horse
bet fortunes on him. Plantations were
wapered against northern farms. American
Eclipse, ridden by the famous jockey, Gill
,,atrfck won the second and third heats
and the race in 7:49; s:24. More than $780,
600, an immense sum thus early IN the CEN
tury changed hands on the result.
Great matches took place in 1912 and
1874 In 1912 a match between Boston,
representing Virginia and Fashion for New
York took place. 1t was four-mlle heats
for $4,000 side. Fashion won in straight
heats The time was h;s s ana Ia 1;4o ts mar
venge two years later, when Peytona beat
Fashion in straight heats in 1894 and
TASK. The next great match, which is
especially remembered by turfmen, was the
mighty Lexington, son OF Boston and Alice
Carnea, against the time record of Lee
Compile. made in q race in which lAeCompte,
by a scratch it was always said, beat LEX
inpton. LeCompte's fastest four miles
was in 1926, and Richard Ten Brock,
one of the most picturesque figures the
$4,000 in the match, and fortune outside
to beat it. The race was over the Metaire
course, New Orleans. in 1865, and Lexlng
ton covered the four miles pulling up near
" all of the last mile in 7:18A. There the
marks stood until nineteen years ago. wher
Twelve wears after Ten Brock lowered
the mark to 7:l5s4. OF the matches of re
cent date the first of any Importance wa
run IN private on I1eIIo lIOA l1AnAO olaAAA
ing track at Jobstown. N. j., between Lor
illard's Mr. Brown and Mr.. Purdys L.
This was March /, 1880. The distance wa
ten miles. and each horse carried u
pounds. Mr.. Lorillard's horse won and tn
time was 26:1e. The race was much talke'
about at the time, and it probably ha'
something to do with the revival of match
making that followed.
The greatest match of recent years wa
run August 20, 1885, at Monmouth park
between Dryers Miss Woodford and Coz
rlgan's Freelan6. the mare carrying II
pounds and the eelding 1T. 1t was a mil
and quarter, the same distance at who
they had met only a few days before an
for s., 800 side. The Dryers MAINTAINED
their reputation for successful matching
and Miss Voodford won fast and goo
race in 2:0915.
The last important match, until Salvato
and Tenny astonished the world, was tina
between Troubadour and Miss Woodford q
mile and quarter in 1886 on the Cone
Island track. It was meant for sweel
stakes, but it resolved itself into a contet
between the two only. Troubadour, wit
lis. pounds, won in 2:0SA, after gran
struggle, lasting from the fall of the flag t.
the finish.