The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-05-15
LOCAL MATTHRg.

FdUHetu H1CtS-lHr1 D0y.-1 GRufdey q tr Z
to Fairfield was much more pleasant than on th !
day before, owing to the fact that a heavy shower
on Wednesday night had laid the dust and oo!e d
the atmosphere The feetipg clouds too, obscure
the sun, during the morning, and contiouous
south west breeze, which st times threatened a
gale, added much to the comfort Of all who turned
out to see the race.
Jockey GLIB days of all others, are most sure ia
bring out the veterans of the turf and whether the
entrits are we'll matched not, the young folk are
apt to catch the excitement and join the throng -
Yesterday. we are pleased to say, was no excel
ton to this rule for at early hour the atendauc
was large, and the anxiety manifested to witness
tue sport, as great as it ever should be. In look
ing over the vast sea Of human beings mingled to-
gether in the stretch, noticed may distinguished
strangers, and not o. few of those saunch turtles
who have stood by the pastimss Of Virginia for
many, many years, and who " Ill doubtless be the
advocates of the turf till they have finished ffes
race and won the goal for which they started New
York New jersey. Maryland, North Ca olina,
Alabama, Kentucky, Lonisiana and Virginia were
all represented on the occasion by worthy sops,
and our only regret was, that they could not see
above them, in handsome pavilion prepared for
their accommodation, scores Of angelic fsces-the
fairest and brightest Jewels of the Old Dominion
looking down with approving smiles upon the sup
p ers of that sport, which, by their forefathers
WAS kept up as matter Of State pride, as well ~
. n cans for iur ocent enjoyment
Fahf1eld was design TO be the great race
D6cOm0
y, despite the drawbacks by which it ia surrounds
cd. Occupying q central position between the
North and the South all sections could meet there
| contend for prizes and superiority; and as
neither the North nor the South would have any
local prejudices to dread, and no unhealthy climate
to encounter, we feel assured that 1t could readily
be made the most popular "a well as the most pro-
1table course in the Union. All that 1t now needs
Ia enterprise. Let the owner 60 to work and put
up good pavilions for ladies, removed from the
1 UIx,kA A. ill 10
honor to old Fairfield old Virginia, to himself, and
to racing generally. But to the race
A. our readers know, the contest yesterday was
for the Jockey Club Purse of e500 three mile heats,
for which there were three entries. Lucy Phillips,
Sonoma and . bay horse. Soon after the an
nouncement was made Lucy Phillips became the
favorite sgainst the field at five and ten to one.
With but few takers at these figures With such
Odds the betting was small; and as conse qusnce,
no one was seriously Injured by the result
First Hedt-The trumpet called the entries to the
stand at half past l o'clock. and assuming their
positions. Lucy first, the bay horse second and So
noma third, the word WAS given, and beautiful
start effected SoDoms soon took the lead close
followed by Lucy, the bay bringing up the rear
and ratified away at lively lick passing the stand
the first time in 1:56, under . sirong pull Lucy DO
ing three lengths behind and the bay close to her
On entering the second mile Sono,na Increased the
gap between her followers and herself, aud st ons
me looked as If she intended to be caught no more
put on striking tue sano 10 tno DAck atfetch, Bel
pursuers went up, and continued to gain on her
Lucy gave her lively time down the quarter
stretch, though Sonoma was the first to pass th,
stand In 1:59 In the third mile. Sonoma continues
to lead tireachng the head of the quarter stretch
where she was couared by Lucy. who then CAV
her the go by, and reached home ahead, makipI
the las. mile in l:5e and winning the heat In 553
The race was now considered at IN end, not
withstanding the fact that the bay horse had mad
no rum for IL was evident to all that Sonoma coul
not stand long press and that the bay was out o.
Ok and suffering from bis work. Some few, how
svsr, were desperate enough to offer e5 to eiot
tast the favorite would not wiu but evsn those Oh
fers were seldom heard above . whisper
Sseoad Hsdf-Ths trumpet s,unasd 70 saddle: 2.
the sxpirs'ion of thirty 6ve ninutss. and 70 nvs
minutes there fer, the three esms up eos sne Sos
1 and sped away. Sonoms took the lsse. naeea :
steady pull till swinsiag isto the qesnsl; 49, y.
usy osu he'd at sad essd her :sd Ss, sS% ~ ssy
'h- stand the two un - II pinionsd &c .as
being well up and the nils being Ius = -. .,os
con sneins the second nhs 6onoma onee mo.s ~
the lead Aad held 1t tll nssriss the qosneI s "a
when Lucy made smother brush, isppea 81. = 20
yokat torether the two dashsd by she sts.c -
L1cy.s bead srosns the lias IN advance Ins taiss
mite vss 10 eomrssssed N ssrasst ana osys moss
sonoma noysd 10 thsffont bat On sIihipS sns ssne
IN M I'M srsteh she bsssa 70 wssksn ana shosS