The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-09

The Turf
UNION COURSE L. l., TRoTTNG-THE GREAT RACE
BETWEEN sONTAG AND FLORA TEMPLE.

4
tions, and indulge in days sporting. The particular
event which drew such large concourse of people to
| the Union Course the announcement OF a trot
between the celebrated Flora mple-ths mistress Of
the turf'-and Sontag mile heats, best three Eve to
wagons, wagon and driver weighing 800 b, for So OOO
Great pains had been taken to give publicity to this
match and the omnbuses, steamboats, and railroad
cars had been rsstered for days advance with hand
bills announcing the affair. The training stables Of the
respective literally besieged for several days
previous to the by individuals anxious to obtain
the smallest item Of Information relative the cond
ton and probable speed of their favorites but their
trainers were "mum'' except to favored few. Some
were 10 anxious to ascertain their powers that they
waited from daylight in the morning until after dark
hopes Of obtaining glimpse of the at full speed
in their training, in order to make up their minds
about the proper way Of investing their money But
whether they had merely their labor for their pains
best known to Themselves One thing however il clear
to mind, that Flora Temple entirely overmatch
ed in this II will not do to expect impossibi.
ties. She performed all that was expected Of her
by her friends, and more; and the opinion pre-
valent that her defeat owing to q change Of
drivers, is sheer nonsense. Hiram Woodruff is
undoubtedly . great driver, and Flora Temple
is great horse; but, copjunetivey, they could not
have beaten whelan and Sontsg Monday last, the
opinions OF others to the contrary Notwithstanding
Warren Peabody the trainer and driver of Flora Temple
Is accomplished and skful In his profession,
and under his guidance the made every exertioD
she capable of under the circumstances One thing
which appeared to initiate against her speed the
Of her being unusually wild and fractions throughout
the race, owing to speed being required Of her
than she had been accustomed to for time past
She has been in training for her twenty mile race which
takes place this MONTH and not for those sharp quick
which she had been formerly accustomed to- and
In which she generally successful In to
the frequent inquiry yesterday why Hiram Woodruff did
not drive Flora in the race we may observe that he had
been engaged the Sonag party not to take part in the
present match. Notwithstanding her defeat in the
present instance Flora has lost OF her former
prsstise-for the old adage says that for every good
there is better-and her owners must not expect to
win on every occasion. This the first instance in
her brilliant that she not the iavorite before
starting.
Sontag, the winner Of the present race, has been
very successful nag She made her advent here last
summer, and five six small before the dis
covery was made that she possessed uncommon
speed, which first manifested in her
with Frank Forester last fall-one Of the miles
in the race being performed by her in 23f. She
is Hambetonian, OF large size, and finely
proportioned Her action, when at full speed, is
very high in 'front.' but she is very steady and graceful
in her long stride. 1t is said that she originally
PAGER but she shows disposition to break into
that pecusr gait offensive to the trottng connois
She has reached the pinnacle of her profess
sion, and her future engagements will have to be with
such nsgs Ed. Eddy Highland Maid, &s. No doubt
she will sustain her newly acquired reputation, with
6ciat to herself and profit TO her owner.
On reaching the course, found that large crowd
had already assembled and which received constant
cesions up to the hour OF starting. At the appointed
time the brought upon the track and station
ed the southern end of the course to keep them
out Of the wind much possible Soon afterwards,
judges chosen and all preliminary matters adjusted
drawing for Places Flora won the pole considered
great advantage in a close race. Much excitement pre-
vailed among the crowd at this PERIOD and all sorts OF
mare BY this time having become decided favorts,
Flora having previously been So One indiyidus was vas
dollars that sontag the racs' Others Offering
200 to So 100 to 5S &C., Sc and for fear that they
exhibited their speed in scoring 100 to go was freely
offered The crowd now appeared all betters, and in
sou be- seD backing %s
an anxiety, bordering on frenzy 1t was an ex-
citing scene and the mania for betting seemed so in
fectious that men known to indulge in specula
tons of this. nature before observed with their
wallets out and as eager to stake their money as the
The track was all that could be desired having been
lightly narrowed and dressed up for the occasion The
horses looked uneommony well, and were In the best
Fst Heat-F1ora took the lead at the word aud away
sibe for sontsg to overtake her. but their spirits were
soon dampened for getting the straight side Son
tsg observed gaining rapidly on her, and as they
sontas was tapped on her This brought out shout of
iii the grey mare was entirely clear Of Flora and going
lie lightning for the half pole which she reached in
rent gaining and then falling off again On the lower
turn, she broke up, which seemed to benefit her. and
aen no
her position The speed OF Sontsg again carried Flora
off her feet and Notwithstanding all efforts Of Flora and
her driver sontag come home winner by a length in
2a1, the quickest heat to 800 lbs. weight ever per
| formed
| The result Of this heat did not dampen the ar.
dor of the friends OF Fora saDguine were her ad
mTers Of her ultimate Neither horse appeared
wen after the usuai attendance on such occasions
Sscsna a. Heat.sonssg now having the pole toos the
effort on her part passing the quarter pole in
Ever sec seconds couple % Of Lengths shssd o. Flora
vnced that Flora overmatched-she could not get
along with the weight well as the gray mare; and
they sesmed to think that her chances were hopeless
scntsg continued on the tenor Of her way until
she reached the goal, winning easily in 23a-Fors
couple Of lengths behind We saw Flora much
| distressed as after this second heat.
Third Heat.-This was counterpart Of the previous
one Flora strained every muscle. but without avail,
ssr sho S II in IN
conds, and the half in ill., Thus ended this most
citing contest which has absorbed the minds Of the
sporting circles for many days, and en- which much
money has bsen lost and won.
| The following is the summary
MONDAY, May Match 81 COO, mile heats, best three
b FIVE, to wagons, wagon and driver Weighing 500 bs
W wbeelan named z. m Sontag..... ...... 1
W. Peabody named b. m. Flora Temple.
Time-231-233-235
The next important match will off tomorrow,
(Tbursday) at the Cenrevie, between Whalebone and
Stella for O00 to be followed Monday next with
match st the between Pocahontas and Hero
| for a like sum.
VIRGINIA RACES.
FAIRFIELD, May 4.-FouRH DAY.-Jockey Club purse
| 5000, four mile heats.
James Taly's g. One Eyed Joe, BY Prince George,
dam Registers dam, years old, 121 lbs......
John Becber'sb b. m. Die Capperton, by Boston,
dam Belamira, years old 121 lbs dis
Time, 8s02h-S:21.
sEcoSD RACE Sweepstakes for three year old colts