The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-08
SARATOGA RACES S.

SARATOGA RACES.
Three Exciting Races Yesterdav-sundown
the Winner Of the Mile and q Halt Dash,
McDauiers Oakland Filly Of the Saratoga
stakes and Red Dick Of the Sweepstakes
SARATOGA, August 7, 1868.
undated in the interest which has made them the
feature OF the season at Saratoga the races Of the
third day Of the fifth annual meeting have not been
behind their predecessors in point Of numbers in at
tendance or In the general success which crowd
and the excitement lend TO such affairs.
THE START
each morning for the race course is . scene which
would puzzle the most versatile pen to describe in
language capable Of conveying its curious features
such the hustle, noise confusion and hubbub con-
nected with it, The throng Of carriages Of all kinds
in front Of the Union and the Congress las the popa
lace abbreviate the names Of the two large hotels
ranges itselfn long lines several Deep and 1t would
be easy on the part OF stranger to fancy that some
immense funeral procession was about to start were
it not for the anything but solemn conduct Of the
drivers and the anything but mournful hues
OF the ladies' attire. The trple-nay, quintupeDnd
sextupe-cordon extends from the little park which
encloses Congress Spring up Broadway TO the con-
fines of the great fashionable centre Saratoga and
makes series OF concentric epses or spiral, per-
haps OF hacks, barouches and wagons, out OF which
q forest OF whips are growing and brandshing their
feathered tips in the air. The vast snake-for 30 1t
might again be described-writhes Its glistening
black length along the hotel fronts yawning at Its
sides to take In the bejewelled and gayly decked
ladies and their stylish escorts as they step lightly
from the parors and hardly tread upon the sidewalk
In the transit 30 the block curb. The head Of the
serpent faster than the tail. AS each section
IA
with the speed Of the wind for
THE ROAD.
Saratoga has shady walks and cool verandahs and
cosey hooks and inviting groves 1t has the cooling
water OF the springs the breezes Of the Adirondacks
and the moist vapOrs Of the Green lat
ter to discharge themselves upon when the parched
earth needs showers. 1t has gayety, and life, and
fashion, and fun and frolc. But (ah nafSerabfei
exclams many lover OF hOrsenesh) 1t has no
drives The road to the lake. the only apology for
drive IN the vicinity, is wretched affair, which
even Jersey sandhiller would despise. The road
70 the race course Is in fair order according to the
usual description and is very good OF Its kind; but
the few trees at the edge OF the village and then an
unbroken, monotonous line across the open fields
and under the broiling sun to the gate Of the en-
closure. To-day it was alive with vehicles which
raced with each other at headlOng speed. There are
very few private turnouts There Is dogcart or
ton come from the livery stables OF Saratoga and
not few from Albany and Troy, whose hackmen
are here to help reap in the rich field Of fares opened
up by the crowd, the sensation and extravaganza Of
race week.
THE GRAND STAND.
The evolution OF the serpent begun at the hotels is
repeated within the park. The vast concourse Of
vehicles PUSHES mady at the entrance hardly giving
The gatekeepers time to inspect the badges collect
tickets dashes within the enclosure and whrling in
rapid circle yawns again and deposits its load on
tne platform. What scene How the ladies ad-
just their toilets after the disorder of crushing In the
carriage How they knock out with the magic
stroke 81 the finger some wrinkle IN the folds OF
fress that has eaped from confinement in the olting
over the cobble stones OF Congress street There
are FAINT little maedictons on that ''horrld" road
which the association have had to wet down to put
1t IN anything like driving order, and which, conse-
quenty has generously shared its sand and dirt with
wheels and the horses hoofs the vehicles Of the gift
one sas nea as who Wants ns only be s be
hind by everything that runs the road
Ambition has Its penalty in this situation OF AFFAIRS
to the track-and 1t must be made SO for reasons
which are obvious-is accomplished amid shower,
nay hailsorm, OF flying pellets OF sand, which sting
smarty they strike the face, and keep the eyes in
constant apprehension OF being entered. But there
IL an end to the worst OF torures. And the grand
stand is reached; the occupant OF the carriage II 1t
II his own, looking over IL 10 see II any damage has
been done in the way Of demolished spokes, or
bruised hubs, or scraped varnsh. Another sight
awaits the eye a. glances down from the stairway
Of the stand. II In scene Of repose after the tur
MOL OF the start at the village and the trip and the
ton. The benches fall away In descending tiers GOV.
cred with soft cushions for the ladies. who chatter
and fan themselves and nOut laced handkerchiefs
ana diamonded rings and pearied armlets, and
stalk or imagine they "talk horse" What q
curious curious infection there is in race course
theatre awaiting the performance will discuss
politics and the last murder or the latest sensation
whatever 1t be- The coming play is remotely con-
sidered. II ia matter for the future. II Is even
forgotten during the intermisson. But how differ
ent at a race course From the instant the specta
4 RI To m 90 ie
seat his thoughts are engrossed with the events
to transpire within the next hour or 80. The racing
programme Is consulted and the horses looked over.
II he happen to be with friends they ali fall into a
discussion Of the race Those who have been at the
track before and see familiar names In the list OF
revive and rehearse their recollections for
the entertainment OF the party. points" are
evolved about each animal. The jockeys are crit.
Cised, and how woman's eye, with that instinct
which seeks the graceful in the sterner sex. Will tell
the handsome one ! other gatherings may be quiet;
even political mass meeting may toe v0iceless on
occasions; but as well try TO stop the murmur
OF the waves at the sea shore as repress the hubbub
around the race course.
THE THRONG.
II 10 an endless theme as Is an endless cause OF
delight TO mine hosts OF the various caravansares
the tracks OF the Rensselaer, road has come filed
with passengers. The strange cars, too, are hume
nsre .nd h .ne p,c eh Ta VI oe
q sun1cient number Of coaches TO accommodate the
travel, and hence have had to beg OF their neigh
bors. The Hudson River road has been drawn
upon literally, and whole trains OF cars belonging
10 that line come directly through from New York
~ Saratoga
THE FIGURES.
II is safe TO estimate the strangers here at from
fifteen TO twenty thousand. The charge at the
principal hotels is IS day for any kind
Of q room any kind OF accommodation, even
U II be "a mutual stock investment with q dozen or
more wayfarers in the comforts OF "shake-down''
In the parlor or reading ro0m Prices range upward
beyond that figure for luxuries In the way OF bed
room anywhere below the sixth story, and down.
ward for accommodations at the minor hotels and
boarding houses Between hack hire fees 10 walters,
cocktails to take away the unpleasant taste OF the
water In the morning, brandy juleps before dinner 70
correct any little quams OF irregularities produced
by The water aforesaid whiskey and water after din
ner To give tone" night caps 10 produce the requt
site sonnolency and ease the conscience and quiet
the mind after the excitement Of the day, and lastly
cigars, not TO speak OF the champagne and other
wines preached ut dinner, IL equally safe to say
that the average expense per head IL not far from
$40. In other words, during racing week the total
sum expended In saratoga II between $3.50 OOo and
5000 600. Pass around the box.l
NEW ARRIVALS.
faw farp we N thp hua