New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-14
TIE TURF.
THE GREAT HANDICAP TROT on THE
FASHION COURSE.

On Thursday the handicapped, which for some time
past has been regarded among sporting circles as the
most impOran, event Of the season, came Of on the
Fashion Course, l.. l. The prize offered was purse
Of 500 given by the Association, for the winner,
and an addition Of 800 for the second hes, horse in
tie race. To compete for the liberal prizes thus
offered, five horses were originally entered, viz:
Widow Machree, Panic, Gen. Butler, Gen. McClel-
Ian and West Philadelphia.
As i was matter Of notoriety that the above
animals varied considerably in speed, in accordance
with the usual system Of handicapping il was at
tempted to bring them to an equality by imposing
upon each horse, certain weight to be carried,
which, by graduated scale, accordngto the Judgment
Of the gentlemen selected 10 I'LL the Office OF handi-
cappers, would - bring them together" According
10 the weights thus imposed BY the handlcappers,
Widow Machree aud Panic were each allotted to
carry a wagon and driver weighing go pounds thus
showing that their qualities, both in speed and en-
durance, were regarded az equal.
General Mcclellan, or, IA he il more generally
termed, the "Bnckskin Horse," from bis peculiar
color came next in their estimation, az he was handi-
capped at 30 pounds for the weight OF wagon and
driver. General Butler was thought TO be ten
pounds inferior, and he was put in at 2iO pounds,
and the remaining entry, West Philadelphia, at 23J
pounds
The day was very favorable being bright, warm
and clear, aud in consequence the attendance was
very laree Indeed, there could not have been
less than three thousand people on the track, be-
ing by far the largest number seen at trotting eX-
hibition since Sam Mclaughlin and bis associates
first struck that fatal blow aganst the interests oil
trotting on the zane Course two years ago in tue
Ethan Allen and Flora Temple swinde.
But it must not be thought that the trot of yes
ter,lav. pcy Sc. would have attracted the immense
a..embL,ge 70 the track. II was in reality the
.ouncement in The TRIBUNE of yesterday, OF the
intention of Commodore Vanderbilt TO put his team
to their speed in the hands of Sam. Mclaughlin, and
attempt to rival the hitherto uequaed performances
Of the renowned Ledger Team on the same track.
This announcement was made upon what wos con-
sidered Trustworthy authority, and hope was eA-
pressed that Mr.. Bonner himself would favor the pub
lie with another exhibition of that magnificent team
which be possesses, in Lady Palmer and the Flatbush
Maid. To possess even a chance of Witnessing such
sight which, if it did occur might never take place
again. hundreds of our citizens who would never
uotting track, directed their steps to the Fashion
Course and paid freely and cheeriully their dollar for
admission at its gates.
We presume, however, that it was owing to the
publicity thus given of the Commodores intention to
test the speed of his horses that their absence and
his own yesterday from the track was owing. Such
publicity, also, was probably sufficient TO prevent
Mr. Bonner bringing his own team on the course,
courtesy to his great rival in the ownership OF the
fastest horses in the world doubtless influencing him
in such resolution.
Ii the Commodore bad announced his intention OF
driving his own team probably Mr.. Bonner would
have accepted the tacit def thus thrown out vi
such a possibility, however, we speak OF course
without any knowledge or authority but 1t cannot
be disputed that the chances of such meeting would
have been greater if the owner, and not hired pro-
iessional, had been announced as likely to pilot the
much-taked-of team, Postboy and Poughboy'
Tie conditions of the 500 purse were, to trot mile
heats, best three in five TO wagon. The starting
place was from the old Judges stand. ard not from