He listed six different proposals which would pit anywhere from two to four sons of Boston against a like number of offspring of any other sire in match races ranging from two-mile heats to four-mile heats for sums ranging up to $20,000.  Obviously, Lexington was Ten Broeck’s trump card, and there were no takers, so, as planned, Lexington’s next start was the race which would pay Dr. Warfield his full purchase price.

Designed to settle regional disputes—particularly with Easterners who had been vocally skeptical about southern racing—the Great State Post Stakes was set up with every racing state expected to send its best representative, putting up $5,000, “pay or play”, winner take all.

Apparently the conditions of the race were sufficiently stringent to silence the Easterners, and only four horses faced the starter: Lexington, representing Kentucky; the favored Highlander, representing Alabama; and two other sons of Boston: Lecomte, representing Mississippi; and Arrow, representing Louisiana.  Despite the hoopla, Lexington easily repulsed repeated challenges from Lecomte to win in straight heats.

Even though Lecomte had been previously undefeated, his connections were not particularly distraught, reasoning that Lexington’s major victories had all been achieved on muddy tracks, in slow times.  They sought revenge in the Jockey Club Purse a week later.  Elated over the colt’s easy victory, Ten Broeck, wanted to take the challenge; however, his partners had different ideas.  According to the History of Racing In America:

  Captain Willa Viley had Lexington’s shoes pulled off, but Ten Broeck insisted that he run again next Saturday.  A conflict of interests between Viley, a racing man, and Ten Broeck, a track owner, sensitive to gate receipts and a betting man as well, led to a stalemate which was only resolved when Ten Broeck bought out his Kentucky partners for an undisclosed sum [later revealed as $5,000].

While there was a three-horse field, the race was generally regarded as a match race between Lexington and Lecomte, with the aged gelding Reube not a factor.  Lecomte took the lead in the first heat and held on to it throughout.  Although unable to overtake him, Lexington gave him quite a challenge, the result of which was a new record, 7:26, for the four miles covered.