The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-09
FIVE RACES IN A RAIN STORM.
Nellie Mcdonald Won the First, the Boone
Colt the Second, De COurcey the Third,
General Duke the Fourth and
Black knight the Fifth Race.
Descriptive Scenes on the Course
and Its surroundings.


passed without contributing an atom to its success
Bleak and dreary, cold and unnvIting, the entire
prospect was one to be remembered with SILVER,
for a more inauspicious day has never spoiled
racecourse. And so sudden, too that every one was
disappointed for the morning was truly beautiful
and the bright authorizations Of splendid sport were
fully justified. Beyond question the weather clerk
deserves a unanimous vote OF censure, and there ID
no doubt whatever that at half-past three O'Clock
yesterday 1t was passed with reclamation by the
concourse OF people assembled at the Park. 1t
Is almost unnecessary to dilate upon the beauty OF
the morning, the magnificent dome that. cloud
less, looked serene; OF the earnest hopes
OF success the expectations Of bril- liant throng, OF
the enthusiasm that was to have been manifested,
OF the grand rehearsal previous events Of the rush.
ing and excitement, the waving OF hats and per-
fumed handkerchiefs, the volume OF universal
cheer as the unexpected winner sped madly to the
post. There was nothing OF the kind for deter
mined chill SET In ct noon, and when the final dash
was completed every button OF q great coat was
brought into serviceable requisition. 1t was
such evening when one loves to sit by
blazing fire to ruminate on things gone by
and to come, and now and then glancing
on the dripping leaves outside, the barren look Of
everything around the steady fall OF the autumnal
rain, the hazy landscape aud the dusky view, and,
chuckle at the prospect OF internal comfort. Again
letit be understood that the morning was oil that
could be desired. that the most brilliant hopes OF
capital days sport Justly entertained that gay
and happy look was impaired to almost everything
that came In vfew and that mankind moved to the
course or rather urged their steeds to glide with
elastic steps, There was even better display OF
teams along the route than on any day preceding.
No heavy clouds seemed to darken the brows Of the
cavalcade, and to their hearty spirits be
1t said that speed was Characteristic
on the way. The roads were in splendid condition,
and vehicles OF all descriptions moved gayly along
with more apparent rivalry than has been heretofore
exhibited. Harlem lane was the scene OF few
minor contests, and though no collisions occurred
some exceedingly close shaving took place, followed,
more less, with certain pO nted exciamations Tor
which there is no classic author extant. Al twelve
O'Clock the course looked serene, and. together with
interesting programme and the expected arrival
OF q large number OF visitors, pleasant day was
expected. Up to this time none OF the stands were
occupied. and the prominent piazza of
the club house presented but few spectators. An
hour after, however, they arrived In strong force.
EQu'pages superior IN style and elegance, rolled up
the gravel walks in RAPIDLY increasing numbers, and
with these came fashionable throng. At the other
brought IN IT great freight, and from oil appear
ances brilliant day was TO come The sun shone
forth In all It's reIuicen epen'lor, scarcely staining
the blue canopy or heaven, and more delightful
day never favored az outdoor event. Now and
the air-musc that struck every heart
upon the course for II was popular. The
the club house began 10 assume imposing yet PIC
turesque appearance. The main throng swormed 10
the end o. the quarter-strelch where the loud voice
His logical nSerences were scsrcely of the mos. con-
elusive desc pon, for the business seemed anything
but brisk, and while he a-gued points and gescu-
lated with his notion or elocuton he Invariably
warned his hearers 10 zoos out, now.n and his
hearers looked out accorln gy. Carriages continued
10 arrive aud tie little hum OF speculation began TO
assume pretty live sound as the ,ru,npeter peaied
FOR n the call TO get IN order
THE RAN STORM.
Like phantom the Clouds first gray, then black,
approached from aiar, the wind moaned little,
glcoIny aspect settled on the place aid I'll omens dis
played themselves conspicuousy. The contrast was
sudden as IL was unexpected, and the sky, but
NONE mt previous FAR extending sheet of blue,
now lowering, dark ald threatening. Sprinknp ut
first with the most delicate drops the approaching
rain storm was nnnIinded, and many. disgusting
their inward apprcc nse feelings, still continued to
predict q beautiful daT. But torrent was
force making the ground tick with the noise Of
million clocks. perfect deluge ensued, and,
though many imagined IL was too violent to last. IL
did hold out with yengeance. Lite murky pools
formed quickly on the quarter-stretch, every Que
made rush for shelter, the stands were eagerly
sought, the occupants looking ike SO many heus on
roost on rainy day; and Ia q lew minutes more
desoate place than the course could not be
conceived, except the bog OF Allen, after
satugated-a perfect stiffness preysiled-a chm
ed hopes abandoned and Misery grinned with de-
light. Verify suCh an Immediate transformation
cannot be Imagined, and that without the slightest
apparent chance Of Improvement. In this unfortu-
nate state OF affairs matters progressed BABY and
no hing suggested Itself but Immediate departure.
which, b. the way, for most people was decided
impossibility, for the morning had tempted tho
ioity Of spectators TO travel in open vehicles, aud
the rain continuing TO pour necessarily put an end
to all hopes OF return for tne present.
THE CLUB HOUSE,.
Beyond question the most fashionable asscmbage
since opening day attended yesterday, and before
the first event was COMPUTED the piazza was
crowded 70 excess melancholy tone prevailed
or tac smiles that the shining sun would have
elected. Most Of the vehicles arrived just tho
rain commenced TO ial. so that many who would
probably have preferred being on the club stand re-
manned on the piazza aud there restessly en-.
deavOred content themselves for the remainder OF
the day. Were 1t not for the excellent music OF the
band stationed 10 the rignt OF the club house the
scene would have been insupportablc. AZ IL was
Deed. - ~ 's'' 'A'' '' ''' '
THE cIuB STAND.
CAPABLE OF accommodating and q delightful centyo
for brilliant array the club stand was almost de.
serted YESTERDAY. To be sure, a few cpafageous
bellies needless OF the rain, rippel gayly down tue
rustic steps OF tae Climb house aud forded tnelr pas
sane through the Of mud To the opposite. II was
though inludicious little feet stepped In tho rcd
and sloppy ground, rs ever and anon they
missed their marx aud plunged almost 70 the
ouEe IN muIky pool. The Grecan Lend WAS
q inockery and lrowned hideously at the weather
clerk tt II almost broke with rage. Vow, sitting IN
a Cold shed for three hours With wet feet anl
thoughts everywhere, gazing or lew animals ga.-
Looping through the mud. WI ther poor iutlc riders
soaked like preserves, was decidedly nos pleasure
but the dear creatures bore II bravey and paid uber
ally for their sureit OF horse racing The upper ter
was thny occupied, and that by lew ladies'
crouched in corner, where the rain, the chill. air
and the draughts were inaccessible.
The Otser stands we're well filled, but tue entire
assemLla9e looked ike one single man. with single
feel ng, Il single idea aud common sentiment The
BOOKSELLER whined In the corner but the general do
preston Of spnis which appeared to exist were
strongly In opposition his ancifu pictures OF ex
citing contests aud horaey orations generally. uni
versa shrug took possession or all and humor and
enthusssm had long since taken their wing. There
was certainly larger attendance than on either OF
the preceding days. but that may reasonably lie ac-
counted for by Soils deception In the morning.
Among those present were Commodore Van
derbili, Commodore and Mrs Kidd August Bee
mont hayor Hoaman eAa may ,s ana nrs
renee Jerome Colonel Nunroe, Colonel Hall.
Colonel frank y. Howe, Mr.. aud Mrs. Barney WIZ