Fast Trotting in California.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 264, 20 October 1874, Page 7

Fast Trotting in California.

J lio doubt wliub* of the jRQOUUMJUty,* is t#U'enj from''the' : CtyiftirAii&ii MailtJSd^ioiJixlyJ^iirTri Um ■•;■••• ! - • ii, uti) vbje. a the Agricultural-park, in aid of the Lousiana sufferers, whfch' few persons should * mass. Governor,'Stanfor'd f s 'marvellous horso !Occident' is to take a spin; rmrhd :) the track 1 . What .atsight, that ,'wijl he may. be Judged of from the following description of a similar occasion.—A writer describes the- great race against ,tirae by Occident at the last State" Fair at Sacramento as follows : . " The trot was for a plate' of 2000 dols. of-; fered by the State Agricultural Society to any horse that should beat the best timej ever. made in the State', namely, that of 2m. lT|s,, by Goldsmith Maid. Occident was brought out and exercised for a short time, and then taken back to be cooled for the .greatest event in his life.. At least 10,000 pair of eyes were ri vetted upon the noble horse when he was again brought upon the track for a. final trial, His hair glistened like satin, and his preliminary spin past the judge's stand was the very poetry of motion, eliciting the admiration of everyone present. Two additional timers were appointed to hold the watches, so that there should be no mistake in regard to the time made. The .general impression prevailed "that the horse would not do it, the chances being greatly against him. A running horse was brought out to keep him company while the trial was being made. Everything being in readiness. James Tennet, his young driver, went down the stretch for the word. After a couple of scorings the bell was tapped, and away he goes, thousands of eyes eagerly watching his every stride. California's reputation as to her capability to produce the best trotting horses in the world was now at stake, and the interest manifested was most intense. Men held their breaths as around the first quarter he flew in The ' half-mile- was made in lfto. 10|s. Many felt doubtful a'>out his ability to accomplish the feat now, l>ut he rounded the far turn very rapidly, and swung into the home stretch at a tearing gate. Down the long walk his puce was truly a terrific one. Fast as a locomotive, and steady as a walk-ing-Vieam, he fairly shaved the air in the exhibition of his tremendous power and speed. Every eye was anxiously bent on the grand horse as he approached the outcome. Not a voice was raised, until Occident passed under the line' like a' bullet shot out of a gun. In a moment more the time—2 min. 15| sec.—was hung out, and then a hurst of the wildest excitement followed. Ladies on the stand clapped their hands and waved their handkerchiefs and fans. . Men shouted and cheered loud and long, and threw their hats in the air. The driver was hugged, the horse was fondled. and a general jollification was had over the glorious result, made, as it was, with out a single skip or break. In response to loud calls, Governor Stanford appeared, bowed his acknowledgments, and immediately presented back to the society the 2000-dollar plate won bv Occident, to be given to any horse that should ever equal him. This is probably the last opportunity our citizens will have of seeing this wonderful horse, as he goes East in a few

days to add to the glory and honour of California by his brilliant performances."