It looks as though *the* big race between Gray Eagle and Wagner (the correct spelling) took place on Sept. 30, 1839, rather than in June.

A detailed, several thousand-word account appeared in the paper "Spirit of the Times" (Jan. 4, 1840). The four-year-old Gray Eagle represented Kentucky, but Wagner, five years old. was from Louisiana, not Tennessee as folklore would have it. Both were among the finest racehorses in America. The race had been widely promoted for months, betting was extremely heavy, and the huge crowd included Kentucky Gov. Poindexter and Sen. Henry Clay, along with other regional luminaries.

Two other horses also competed, but were left in the dust.

According to the Spirit of the Times:

"By the most extraordinary exertions, Wagner got up neck and neck with the gallant gray, as they swung round the turn in the quarter stretch. The feelings of the assembled thousands were wrought up to a pitch absolutely painful. Silence the most profound reigned over that vast assembly as these noble animals sped on as if life and death called forth their utmost energies. ...Gray Eagle, for the first hundred yards, was clearly gaining; but, in another instant, Wagner was even with him....It was any body's race yet; now Wagner, now Gray Eagle has the advantage. It will be a dead-heat! ‘See, Gray Eagle’s got him!’ ‘No—Wagner’s ahead!’ A moment ensues—the people shout—hearts throb—ladies faint—a thrill of emotion, and the race is over! Wagner wins by a neck in 7.44, the best race ever run south of the Potomac; while Kentucky’s gallant champion demonstrates his claim to that proud title by a performance which throws into the shade the most brilliant ever made in his native State.”