New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-04-12

Fair Grounds Races.

and brilliant auspices. This is the first race meet
ing held here since the occupation of the city by
| the Union forces. The lovers of turf sports are
indebted to the old members of the far-famed
| Metairie Jockey Club, for the energetic measures
whereby we are enabled once again and at this
early day after the cessation of the recent troubles
with which our beloved country has been athicteo'
to enjoy the exherating and exciting pleasures de-
rived from witnessing fields of high-bred and
speedy horses straining every nerve in the gallant
contest for victory.
In previous articles we have referred to the old
Matairie Jockey Club as q body of public SPIRITED
gentlemen liberal they are OF turf
sport and strong believers in the Importance OF the
| breeding and Improvement OF the high mettled
raee-horse, to which, indeed, some of them have
long been passionately devoted. What we then
said is fully verified by the energetic and lib eral
action the fruit of which the lovers of turf sport
are now enjoying at the Fair Grounds Course.
In Justice to some Of our citizens who have judi
ciousy, and with admirable public spirit, warmly
and literally seconded the efforts of the old Me-
tarie Jockey Club to revive racing here, we must
not omit to notice what they have done to increase
the attractiyeness of the present meeting at the
Fair Grounds. In the article above referred to, we
urged the Importance to the prosperity Of the city
of making it attractive in its amusaments
and pleasures to visitors, pointed to ITew
York as proof of the wisdom of such a
policy, and appealed to our hotel keepers
and others who are largely benefited by
the influx Of visitors to contribute prizes to be run
for at our race meetings, remarking that they
would soon find that such and like expenditure is
profitable Investment. That appeal has not been
Tph rot tha
have been thus subscribed to be contested for
viz: the Crescent Hall purse and the Coffee
house purse, each of $780, awarded to the 7ictors
yesterday, and the St. James Hotel purse of $500
and 81. Charles Hotel purse of slO00 to be run for
to-day, the entries for which will be found in
another column. We hope that at future race
meetings the public spirited example thus set will
be followed extensively by others. ....
In the notice to which we have referred we re-
marked that although the Southern and South
western States, Louisiana especially, had been
heavily drained of their thoroughbred stock
yet there was no doubt that there remained
sufficient blood-stock in this and adjacent States
to successfully revive our race meetings. and
moreover, that we should not have to ego it
alone for there was not the shadow OF doubt
that the turfmen of Kentucky and other Western
blood-stock raising States would send horses
here to contest for victory atour first meeting
The stables now here in force, afford ara dfyihk
evidence that the statement then advanced was
welfounded. But to the meeting that commenced
yesterday at the Fair Grounds Course.
A more delightful day than yesterday for out
door enjoyment could not be wished for. The air
was balmy and spring:like, and everything was
favorable for the commencement Of the revival of
racing here. True, the track, though not
muddy, was yet heavy-the effect of the re-
cent severe rain storm, consequently the
time made Wasslow, but the racing was good and,
indeed, exciting. We were astonished to see such
large gathering, and Of so select character. It's
very rare that such numbers congregate on race
course even here. 1t is rarer that such gathering
ofplanters, merchants and others of envable So
cal position is seen anywhere. We did not see a
drunken man on the course, nor any rowdyism or
qparrelling neither did we hear any blackguard-
ism, or see anything offensive to good manners.
Possibly the presence Of quite large number 81
ladies had chastening effect on the conduct Of
some individuals. Be this as it may no.
| thing occurred to mar the harmony Of the
| occasion IT did our. heart good to see
theEladies muster in such strong force in all their
pLluE VI VI CGabuIIS, auu Lo
see their eyes sparkle with the excitement Of tile
sport they witnessed, and which they appeared
heartily to enjoy. 1t was also pleasure to us to
see some of our most distinguished turfmen Of
times past present, and Witnessing the sport they
love 50 well. Long may they live TO enjoy it!
FIRST RAcE.--At the opening of the sport, it was
announced that Mr. Vowels entry for the Crescent
Hall purse for three year oids-EHsily by VaRdyke,
had been found to be. only two years old and that
the judges had allowed her to be drawn.s This re-
duced the contestants for the purse to -GiIfoy
and Maidels-4b both BY Lexington out of Glencoe
mares. The former had a very strong partyion tie
course, and at the pools on the previous night,
h was very decided fayorite at two and three to
one, and in some instances even more, against
the FLY at starting and was, backed heavily
to olWin.a When the. twain came up to start, we
saw that Gilrey was colt Of great power ,Irather
plain about the head and neck, and possessing
many of the characteristics of his distinguished
sire. Maiden to our eye, appeared much the
hands mestsand most blood like of the tive, but
the result Of. the race showed, that on asheayy
track at all events she is no match for the colt.
e,At starting in the first heat, the FLY, being in
side took the lead and kept it. until in coming up
the far side Of the course, the colt which had been
going under q Il heavy pull Kas let out, and rushed
up to her. His rider finding the colt waslall right
and ready when called on, did not follow up his
advantage then, but, suffering the flly to fasume
the lead, waited upon her until scoreEstrides
from home when lie rushed up and passed her
with ease, and won the Heat BY neelain 2oI4 tr'
In ths second heat, which was run much faster
than the first Gilroy went offtwitl the lead, was
never headed, and came home an easy winner by
three lengths, in l.54I. 5ss y@...ra aa' f'+
E4t SECOND RACE. The second race was two mile
dash for the cofeeheuse purse, $500. For this
there ere three contestants Gen. Rousseau, a
fily by Norberne, and Refusal, the first named
being thefayorite at 100 to 20 against the field.
When it was ascertained that he was to be ridden
by Abe his party were apparently ready to 50
any lengths in backing him. After starting and
before reaching the first turn, the Norborne flly
took the lead, Refusal lying second, and Gen.
Rousseau bringing up the rear In this order they
ran the first mile. Immediately after entering on
the second, the General and Refusal changed
places and thus they ran, Abe making nc effort ua-
til on entering the home Stretch he went up to his
leader and, after sharp struggle, gave the Nor
borne lilly the so by, and passed the winning post
barely half length in advance, the two miles hay
ing been run in 4:0l. This ended the dayis sport.
When there is any better racing may we be there
to see. gEa1gR g.tH# t'"
ASST r as SUMMARIES. -r- @~.a