New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-04-19
The Fair Ground. Races.

Notwithstanding that considerable heat and low
| ering clouds prevailed yesterday, to such an ex.
tent as to lead many to fear that rain would fall
before the time for the commencement of the races
in the afternoon arrived, there proved to be no
such disappointment in store. On the contrary,
the weather did much to improve the condition of
the course, and with harrow and roller from early
in the morning to the approach of the time for the
races to begin everything was done to make the
most of the opportunity thus afforded to put the
track in as good order as possible. Of course,
corresponding results were obtained, although the
ground was still too heavy for anything but stout
muscle and game bottom. .|m, =
The dubious appearance of the weather undoubt.
eddy kept many persons from attending the races !;
but still there was very fair attendance and the
proportion. of ladies was very gratifying. The
sport promised was expected by all to be good, as
the blood of the horses entered comprised some of
the best in the country,; and the consequence was
the anticipation of abundant enjoyment, which is
of itself NO small pleasure. 5ss 100
Among the horses entered for the races of the
day, were three who had already shown their
powers-Glroy who won the Crescent Hall stake
of $500 on the first day, against two others, in a
mile heat race; Charley Armstrong, who ran on
the second day and was beaten, and the Norborne
FLY which won the first heat in the first race on
Tuesday. Gilroy and Charley as Lexington stock
were the respective fayorites, although the preyi
GUS events Of the meetingwere notsuch as to show
that it is always safe to rely entirely on blood
heavy track and one or two other fortuitous cir
cumstances will often mar that calculation when
least expected.
y The first race yesterday was for the jockey club
pursetof $780, mile heats, best three in five, for
which Mr.. J. NJ. Relf entered a. W. small's illy by
Norborne, and Captain Anderson entered GilroY,
by Lexington. The second race was dash of
two miles, for which Mr.. Fl. 3. Foley entered Mr..
Boyle's Orphan Boy, by Carey Bell, and Mr.. A.
J.. Armstrong entered Charley armstrong, by
Lexington.
AT half-past 8 o'clock precisely the order was
given to saddle up, and preparations were made
for the first struggle. The Lexington horse was
so decidedly the iavorite that there was little or
no betting done and the appearance of the re-
spectiye horses, compared with the heavness Of
the track fully justified the general opinion as in
deed the event proved. Game and fast the Nor
borne FLY undoubtedly is, but she is no match for
the power and vigor of Gilroy under such circum-
stances as she met him yesterday. Both horses
u,
was little too high training visible in the y for
the heavy work which she had before her.
At the tap of the drum both horses got well
away together, the FLY having the inside, and
making play at once to keep it. Gilroy collared
her at once, and his rider made strong effort at
The first turn to head her and gain the position but
lid not quite succeed The FLY kept her pace and
place very well till the horse collarcd her on the
,aek stretch and the pair made quite an inter-
sting brush for the heat from the turn. The
lorse gradually gained on her, however, and came |
n an easy winner, having run the heat in two
minutes. ggsE f.4.
The already generally felt opinion was now
made q assurance double sure,' and the filly's |
hances were considered gone. Both animals,
owever, were in excellent condition, and after
he usual rest were brought up again to test their
rowess, The order to saddle was given precisely
I four O'Clock, and Immediately afterwards they
tarted for the second heat The horse had the |
inside now, and starting with the lead he kept it
Il the way round, with his mouth wide open under
heavy pull. After the turn for the home
tretci the FLY made brave challenge, but could
OF reach her antagonist who came in an easy
winner. in little more than canter, doing the heat
d two minutes and one second and a half.
1t was now alleged that the FLY was little lame
II weak in the lons, and q proposition was made
% withdraw her, which led to some little pleasant
Eaillery. The judges proceeded to examine her,
but her owner said he only proposed
70 withdraw her because he was satisfied she could
not beat the horse, had run two heats, and he
wished TO save her for the handicap, and not be-
cause there was anything particular the matter
WIN her. The judges decided that under the cir
canstances she would have to run. I
=. naii past four o'clock, the order to saddle
lof me thlrd heat was given. After false start,
IN wnich the horses were pulled up before they
naa got into full play, and which, therefore, in no
way Affected their condition, they got away well
together, the horse having Tho ;.ssaa .ai;,,.. Il