New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-03-25
TRoTT1NG RACE EXTRAORDINARY.
Creole Course,


II the trotting race which came off over the Creole
Course (ate Union) yesterday afternoon could have
been foreseen in all its excitement and fun thousands
would have been present, instead of hundreds For
an informal or unheralded race the attendance was
much larger than we expected to see. The fact is
we knew nothing of the race until we were informed
OF the fact, and kidnapped to the spot by crew of
Algerine corsairs who were bent on seeing an
| Algiers trotter show himself on the occasion.
| The attendance comprised about as many of the
regular patrons of the turf and as many visiting
strangers we accustomed to see at the ordinary
Metairie meetings. The weather was delightfully."-
breezy and pleasant and whilst beautiful hard track
and the brilliant spring green of the sward and the
spreading lveoaks cheered the eye the balm of the
neighboring gardens saluted the nostrils and con.
spred to highten the glow of exhilaration and good
humor which none could help feeling, and which
wanted only such race, as followed to add the eli
max to the days pleasurable excitement.
Three crack trotters were entered, to trot with
sulkies at mile heats, best three in five, for hand
some silver pitcher, put up by Mr.. Pybus, proprietor
OF the course. The entries were Mr.. Lorraines Big
tiason, MIR. McGee's Billy McCracken, and Mr..
Trepagnier's Sakmpka; each to be driven by his
owner. Several members of the Jockey Club acted
as judges; and though the race was more of iolly
joust among friends than any thing elsa regu lar
New Orleans merry y-making-it was conducted as far
possible in accordance with the regular rules of
| the turf. One, aud we think two of the nags we
heard called by other than their official names by
some who seemed to know them very we'll. This
struck us somewhat but it was none of our busi.
| ness, we didn't bother about it.
| Before starting, Big Mason was the favorte at
two and three to one against the field. Billy Nc
Cfachen ranked next in favor Sukimpka was not
much talked Of for the reason that he allowed him
self to be dstanced last year. but he was young and
tender then and a good many who knew him were
on hand yesterday out of pure curiosity TO see what
one years time had done for him.
We have not room for all the details of the race.
which began at the usual hour, lasted all afternoon,
| run into the night, and then wasn't decided. The
driving of the three sportsmen-the tall and hand
some Trepagner the fat and jolly Lorraine and the
keen and wind-cleaving McGee-was sufficiently
pleasant and exciting to behold. Lorraine laid back
to it horizontally, and seemed to hold the ribbons
best of all. McGee sat nearly upright all attitudes
being the same to him. so far as splitting the wind
was concerned. Trepagnier leaned forward, but
looked none the less wicked for that when all were
"scootngH together.
| Lorraine won the first heat by about length over
Trepagner, in 2:54 McGee coming in some distance
behind. Trepagnier won the second by about length
ana nall over McGee, in 2:49; Lorraine bringing
| up lelsurely rear. break at the start, in this
heat threw Lorraine to his hopeless distance behind
The third heat was by McGee by the skin of his
teeth, over Lorraine, in 2:4s, the best time made
Irepagnier this time honoring the distant rear. In
the greater part of this heat the three ran side by
side nosing ahead turn about, and creating the mad.
dest excitement. Each horse of the three having
now won heat, the discussion was powerful" but
the betting was keerful - for McGees nag had
broken into run several times-so had Trepagnier $
| so had Lorraines-and by the consent of the par
ties most interested, well by the betters these
little breaks not considered sufficient to break
| the race Consequently, breaks being in order, it
wasn't safe to bet on anything, and what betting
there was henceforward was precious little.
The fourth heat was won by McGee-two for him
| and big excitement time $50, and distance ahead
nothing to speak Of The fifth heat started just after
the sun had sunk behind the western trees and was
finished in the light edge of twilight. Lorraine won
| it, in 2:505-two heats for him. and bigger excite.
ment than ever. Trepagnier came in last this time,
but claimed the second place. on the ground that
McGee had galoped whilst he stuck to his trot. How
this difference settled we did not ascertain in the
noise and confusion which prevailed
| At the end of the fifth heat all the racers moved
for short rest in order to finish before dark if pos
sible. The time was up, and all ready, in the dark
edge Of twilight. 1t being utterly impossible to see
the racers at any distance, or to distinguish them
when close, the judges insisted upon posting patrol
judges at the four quarters of the course to report
the aspect of the race each at his post. Four gen.
tlcmen appointed and went to the different di.
| visions of the mile. When the bell tanned it was
dark night, and nothing could be seen with anv Ger.
tanty.
The fun, the excitement the uproarious merriment,
over this tTotting race with breaking nags in the
| dark, exceeded anything we ever saw on a race
course. 1t actually defied description. The only
lights on the course were the lamps of the cabs
which could not be used, rs matter of course and
few candles in at the bar, which the busy bar
keepers would not have sold for their weight in
gold-we mean the weight of the candles not the
barkeepers.
When the racers went back for the start tie crowf
divided on each side of the track, and crowded II,
close to catch glimpse of the start that no room
was left for the racers to pass. One of the Judge
shouted "fll back, gentlemen-theres only three q
} them-give them chance to pass!" Clipping O
hoofs and rafting of wheels was heard-the crow
opened-three white shirt sleeves flew past-tbe bel
tapped, and the dark heat had commenced. The at
titudes different degrees inclination of the whit
e shirtsleevs alone proclaimed to the crowd who wa