The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-23

Trotting at the Union Course-The First Of the
Season.

throughout the spring, the trotting was finely
inaugurated yesterday on the Union Course by
contest between Mr. Dugreys bay stallion Ben
Wood, Mr.. Howe's bay mare Ginger and Mr.. Nodine's
brown gelding; mile heats best three in ive in har
ness There were seven entries for this purse, but
those only named above put in an appearance the
others probably keeping away through lack OF con-
diton or some other equally potent The three
who did appear new horses TO the turf,
but their performances on first appearance
and on an extremely heavy track were
very creditable indeed. The bay stallion OF
Mr. Dugrey won the race after four very closely con-
tested heats, the last being won after remark
able struggle-a struggle in which the horses were
so evenly matched at the close that the judges had
considerable difficulty in deciding which was really
the winner.
The attendance was, as might have been expected,
from the heavy condition OF the roads leading to the
course and the lack Of excitement attendant on the
advent of unknown horses not particularly large;
still we noticed, however, among those who were
there some OF the most prominent trottng and racing
men OF the day. No doubt the attendance would
have been larger but for the eXecrable condition OF
the roads, which might have We'd with the celebrated
Pontine marshes in their depth of mud, and Italian
buffalo would have been at premium In dragging
the vehicles through the mry sloughs. There was
one advantage, however, in this slow progression; 1t
enabled tine traveller to take better survey OF the
beautiful country through which the road passes
than he could otherwise have done. The fields are
now clothed with verdure and agricultural opera
tons seem to have commenced in earnest as at
every point of view might be persons busily en-
gagged In this peculiar Industrial pursuit.
Reaching the Union Course, made famous by the
great events that have there taken place-the spot
where first was inaugurated the great split between
the North and South, by the race OF Eclipse ana
Henry-a thousand "reminiscences of the turf rush
into the mind of the spectator. This time honored
course was laid out, fenced around ana its stands
erected by Cadwalader Golden, whose name Is anke
associated with the Mayoralty OF this city and
the annals Of the turf. on this old spot
Black Maria and Lady Relief-both daugh-
tiers OF American Eclipse-in the race with
Tri1e and SLING ran their memorable four mile heats
In succes5ion-a feat unparalleled in modern tnncs,
and incontesably the greatest exhibition OF speed
Post Boy, Fashion and Boston, Fashion and Peytona,
Tallyho Bostona and Free Trade Ia four heat race
and numerous other celebrities achieved their repu-
atOn as race horses and left behind them records OF
speed and endurance that the race horses of no other
country can exhibit After the sectional differences
between the North and South were maugurated, ana
Southern men declined coming North with their
horses for fear of their negroes being spirited away,
racing dropped here, and the Union was converted
from racing into a trottng course Since then
OF the celebrated rotters of this country have
appeared within its circle, and AZ different times ana
under various phases have achieved wonders IN ther
specially.
TO avoid further depression, however, at present,
viii give what took place yesterday, first prens-
ing that although the weather was line the track
was extremely heavy.
This important feature OF the turf was by no
means neglected, but all were abroad previous TO
the start which horse TO select When the pool
seller opened his auction and called for the first choice
there long interval OF silence and the buying
was at extremely cautious rates. Mr. Nodlne's
horse, however, was selected for the winner and he
sold at even against the field. After The first heat
he was longer In favor, az il was discovered that
he was lame and the chances were against nm. the
others becames iavortes in turn 70 the end.
THE RACE.
FIRST HeGl-Gnger won the inside, NOdlnes geld
ing the second place, the stallion taking all that was
lett, which was tho hardest ana best part OF the
course. After q few Intellectual attempts they
got away a level start, and they made the upper
turn they all broke up. AT the quarter pole, which
was reached in forty-four seconds, Moline was lead
ing half length, Ginger second two lengths IN front
of the stallion. Going down the backstetch they all
AT different times broke again, changing their posi-
tons they took their flights and when they passed
the half-mie pole Ginger was leading the stallion
length the latter being six lengths ahead OF Nodnes
geldng. There little variation in their positions
around the lower turn except that the stallion broke
up and gave the mare further lead, and she came
on the homestretch three lengths In 'front.' which she
maintained to the mile distance stand where the
| Others, finding they had no chance, eased up and
came In on jog, the mare crossing the score six
lengths in front of the stallion who was half dozen
| lengths ahead OF the gcldnG. Time, 25fR.
SecOnd HeaL-There was very little betting on the
trot between heats the held being offered at odds
against the geldng without takers good start
was erected after few scOrngs Ginger taking the
lead around The turn the 'NOdine gelding second,
with the stallion in close pursuit. Ginger broke
before she reached the quarter pole the stallion fol-
lowing suit, which gave the lead TO the gelding and
he passed that point three lengths ahead OF the mare
who was two lengths in front OF the Stallion in forty
three seconds on the backsretch the mare broke up
again and gave greater lead TO the gelding for
snort time, but before he reached the half-mile pole
he began TO 'tanglen and the others closed on him.
lie was two lengths in front OF the mare at this
point In 1:27, the stallion close up. Going around
the lower turn the gelding "came back little more
and, the stallion putting on the steam before they
turned into the homestretch they were all in row.
short struggle for mastery ended In a succession
Of breaks by the mare and the gelding, and the
stallion came home winner by half dozen lengths
in 2:56k, the mare second, six lengths ahead of
Nodne.
T1td Heot-A fine start, Ginger soon going to the
front, the stallion second, Nodine on q break and
lengths in front in forty three seconds the stallion
ond, one length In advance OF the geding. There
very little variation In their respective positions
down the backstretch, the mare passing the hafmie
pole three lengths ahead Of the stallion who four
lengths in front OF the geding. Time, 1:26 Going
around the lower turn the stallion trotted rapidly
and took sides with the mare before she reached the
hIeeduarer pore ama .ey cae On She ones.reacn
exciting tussle took place up the stretch and the
stallion landed al the score winner by half alengfh,
the mare second, SIX lengths III front OF the gelding
Time, 1855.
Fourth Heat-The stallion was now a decided
favorite against the field. Nodne got away frat
the second; hut they both broke up the turn
and the stallion led TO the quarter pole three lengths
In fortylour seconds Ginger second, one length in
front Of the geldng. The stallion continued his lead
down the backstretch but the Reldng had cut down
the mare and was fast closing on the leader. He was
two lengths In front at the halfme pole IN 1:29 but
seemed to be getting lroggy. On the lower turn the
gelding collared the stallion and they swung into
the HOmcstretch mead ana heau, where a most eXCt
ing struggle maintained TO the score, both going
over the line on rum and, a every one thought, on
parallel line. The judges, however, gave the heat
To- the Stallion az they said he was ahead when No
dine's gedng broke and that he would have won
had they both stayed at "A trot. The mare was two
lengths behind. Time, 2:57
SUMMARY.
UNION COURSE, Long island Wednesday, April
22-Purse OF 800, mile heats, best three In FIVE In
harness.
j. Dugrey entered b. g. Ben Wood. ...... IL
\. Howe entered b. m. Ginger. '..........
y. J. Moline entered br. s. - .......... 3
j. Murphy entered 2. m. Lady PcndlctOn. Dir.
j. H. Powers entered blk. g. Terre iaute. DIR.
Stake FOrbcll entercd b. IN. -.......... DIR.
". II. Taylor entered Billy ...........+.... DIR.
TINE.
quarter. B0lL N1e
First heat. ...................44 1862 2:jfh
second hcaf..................43 1:21 2:561s
liulN htti .ssssss ss...s.s.l3'2 l--t 100
iOtflh htdit.................l ~ l:2I Z.91
lrrInrr nl nA1lnn Llc1npY