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Show ORIGIN OF FAMOUS PHRASE Belief that Common Political Term Sprang From a Horse Race Held In Tennessee. The political term "dark horse" is thought to have had Its origin in the following circumstances: In the last century there lived In Tennessee a "character" named Flynn, an elderly person who dealt in horses. Flynn generally contrived to own a Bpeedy nag or two for racing purposes If he could arrange for "a good thing" during his peregrinations throughout the state. The best of Flynn's flyers was a coal black stallion named Dusky Pete, almost a thoroughbred and able to go In the best of company. One day Flynn visited a town where a race meeting was in progress. He entered Pete. The people, knowing nothing of the horse's antecedents and not being over Impressed by his appearance, ap-pearance, backed the local favorite heavily against the stranger. Just as the beasts were being saddled sad-dled for the race, a certain Judge Mo Minamee, who was the "oracle" of that part of the state, arrived on the course and was made one of the race Judges. As he took his place on the stand he was told of the folly of the owner of the strange entry. Running his eye over the track the judge instantly recognized rec-ognized Pete. "Gentlemen," said Mc- ! Minamee, "there's a dark horse in this race, as you'll soon find out." He was right. Pete, "the dark horse," lay back until the three-quarter pole was reached, when h went to the front with a rush and won the race. |