FAST TROTTING
The following which no doubt will bo of interest to the sporting members of the commnnity, is taken from the Californian Mail Bag of July last;— To-day thare is to be a sight at the Agricultural-park, in aid of the Louisiana suffereis, which i'ew persons should miss. Governor Standard's marvellous horse Occident is to take n spin round the track. What a si«ht that will be may be judged of from the following description of a similar occasion.—A writer describes the great race against time by Occident at the last State Fair at Sacramento as fol- \\ lows : —" The trot was for a plate of offered by the Stato Agricultural Society to any horse that should beat the best time ever ma r !e in the State, namely, that of 1 mile in 2m I7js, made try Goldsmith Maid. Occident was brought out and exercised for a short time, and then taken back to cool off for the great event of his life. Atleast 10,000 pair of eyes were riveted upon the noble horse when he was again brought upon' the track for a final trial. His coatglistencdlikesatin, and his preliminary spin past the judge's stand was the very poetry of motion, clicking the admiration of everyone present. Two additional timers were appointed to hold the watches, so that there should be no mistake in reg&rd to the time made. The general impression prevailed that the horse would not do it, the chances being greatly against him. A runninghorse was brought out to keep him company while the trial was being made. Everything being in readiness, .lames Tennet, bis young driver, went down the stretch for the word. After u couple of scorings the bell was tapped, and away he ftoes, thousands of eyes eagerly watching his every stride. California's reputation as to ter capa> bility to produce the best trotting horse in the world was now .it stake, and the interest manifested was moat intense Men held their breaths as around tiio first quarter lie Hew in oG]s. The half mile was made in lmin Mar.y felt doubtful about his ability to. accomplish the feat now, hub he
rounded the far turn very rapidly, and and swung into the home stretch at a tearing gait. Down the long walk his pace was truly a terrific one. Past as a locomotive, and steady as a walking beam, 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—2min lG|s —was hung out, and then a burst 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, without a single skip or break. Then in responso to loud calls, Governor Standford appeared, bowed his acknowledgements, and immediately presented back to the society the 2000dol plate won by 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 i'ew days to add glory and honor to California by his brilliant performances."
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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1226, 6 November 1874, Page 3
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589FAST TROTTING Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1226, 6 November 1874, Page 3
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