 | HORSE-RACERS. Saratoga in 1901 |  |
HORSE-RACERS.
Among the rest, we see several professional horse-racers from
Kentucky. They are men who remain idle during the winter,
and as spring breaks, they commence their race-track tramp.
First they run down to New Orleans, then up to Long Branch,
then to Saratoga, then back to the Branch. Back again to Saratoga,
and an end-up at Jerome Park, and their summer's work is
done, and their pockets are lined with the happy results of their
observation and knowledge. You will find these men at peep of
day around the race-track, talking with the boys or observing
the horses in course of training. When the race comes off they
know every horse—his pedigree, what he has done, what he can
do, and what he will do.
Old John Harper, the owner of Longfellow,
was with them last night, but the old fellow
would not talk. He stood like an animated
ghost, with his white hair
streaming in the wind, but
not one word could they
get out of him about Longfellow.
“What is the best he ever
did?” asked one.
“O, he's done some right
smart trotting down in
Kentuck,” replied old John, and then he was as silent as the
grave, his sharp gray eyes all the time resting admiringly on his
beautiful horse.
It is a queer sight to see this venerable old batchelor, bending
under the weight of eighty winters, tottering along after his only
love—a horse! His pet, a four year old 17-hand white faced
Eclipse), is always with him. Indeed, as they announced the
arrival of Bismarck in Paris in '67, “accompanied by the King
of Prussia,” so they now announce the goings and comings of
Longfellow, accompanied by John Harper.
Longfellow's competitor is Kingfisher
(four years old, sired by Lexington,
dam Eltham Lass), a beautiful horse
owned by Mr. Belmont, and the eyes
of a nation are concentrated on this
coming race at Saratoga.
| HORSE-RACERS. Saratoga in 1901 | |