The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-07
First Day Of the Fall Meeting Of the
American Jockey Club.
On the Road and at the
Race course.
Excellent Running and Capital
Time Made.

and Quarter Dash, Bayonet the Mile
Heats, Bonnie Lass the Two Year
Old Race and StOnewall Jack.
SON the Two Mile Heats.
finer October day never shone than yesterday,
the first day Of the fail meeting OF the American
Jockey Club. The peculiar beauty Of our unique
Indian summer seemed to have been anticipated.
Rich autumnal colors beginning to spread over
the picturesque scenery OF the Central Park and
Jerome Park and all the Intervening country. The
city itself shared In the exharatng influences OF the
season. The splendid avenues that lead to the Gen.
trai Park were alive with joyous population ap-
parentiy moro eager for holiday than for the usual
vacations OF business, The palatial dwellings on
Fifth avenue and the miniature cathedrals that
rise above them seemed to wear festive air. Early
IN the morning every stable and every carriage
house in town offered busy scene OF preparations
for rides and drives. BY noon vehicles Of
every conceivable variety, most of them
q once stronger and lighter than any
~ which the London parks, Paris Bois de
Boulogne Vienna Prater can boast, were whirling
through the Central Park, or moving in slow and
long procession over the bridge at Mac0mb's dam.
The programme for the opening day, and for every
1ay Of the fall meeting, was Of most interesting
character. Such Q racing carnival as had never
previously been enjoyed in the United States might
have been expected from all the auspices OF yester
day morning But with the total absence OF the dust
and noise OF Derby day there was, unfortunately,
both on the road and at the course, absence
Of Ill Ns multltudinous lively and mirth-provok-
ing scenes ana incidents, such as English novel
ists and caricaturists have so often reproduced with
their pens and pencils The opening day Of the
American Jockey Club was very unlike q
Derby day. Several members Of the Club
were not present There were comparatively
few visitors Of distinction, including only one ex
President Of the United States. Favorable as the
occasion for extraordinary display Of beauty
and elegant toilets, the number Of ladies who
awaited themselves OF 1t was not large. As for "the
DilliOnn OF oil classes and conditions, who lend
much life and animation to "the races in England,
and, lattery. In France 1t was manifest that very
saw OF them consider themselves welcome at the
races In Jerome Park. But all this may be partly
explained by the slight publicity given in advance
70 the fall meeting Meritori0us as the efforts Of the
American Jockey Club have been to render their
favorite and commendable amusement fashionable,
they have not yet succeeded in making 1t popular.
The weather, however Is 80 propitious, and, as we
have already intimated, the programme OF each day
y 80 interesting that we hope the fall meeting viii
yet prove to be racing carnival. Surely no finer
junction OF metropolis can be imagined than at
she races in Jerome Park.
THE CLUB HOUSE,
hitting Itself away above the surrounding circle of
low hills and forming the most conspicuous object
IN the landscape was the grand rendezvous for the
Sive visitors TO the racecourse. At noon Its high
and broad piazza overlooking the track and every
thing else adjacent presented as brilliant and ami
mated scene as its limited compass OF space would
admit e. a =, yySs a w.ed ne ladies the
cminencc near by in bursts OF delicious melody en-
livcned the dulness OF conversation and suggested
the exhilarating evoutions OF the dance. Some
OF the ladies looked positively gorgeous.
few affected the Grccian bend; but 1t was done
OF ali its gross and ridiculous prominence.
There were dresses OF azuline velvet brighter than
the brightest sapphire, dres es Of mauve silk which
shade; but all tasefully foed by colors OF less
preentious dye that the general effect was height
the railing or the piazza fringe Of fashion and
beauty extended, closed in by background OF dark
and blue or red necSes formed the ony speeks Of
color ABOUT them portion OF the ladies, constitute
ing the romantic element OF the gathering. seemed
absorbed in admirng the scenery, which looked
really very fine. For all the cares and crosses OF life
Heaven had sent the glorious recompense
moor around Fordhain racecourse looked strik-
inely beautiful under the dome OF silvery
little cottages peeping out here and there from the
midst Of green, gold and russell foliage, the placid
iiiitocs. the lazy smoke curling up from the Chin
ncy Of some neghboring farmhouse made as pretty
q landscape picture as the eye could rest on. IL was
this drew away the sentimental thoughts or many OF
the fair spectators, but the great majority preferred
the busy mum OF conversation and the critical adm-
ration OF each others dresses. Then beside these
raj attractions there living moving features that
drew attention and which could be nowhere seen to
better advantage tan from Ime plaza o. she CLUB
the way the main stand, which, Ii II had been as
fully occupied as It might have been, would have
presented q very imposing spectacle.
Along the quarter stretch, green ana level az q
billiard table, were host OF fashionable horsemen
moving busily 10 and fro in excellent condition OF
spirits. In tue low ground Mt the lower end OF tho
main stand a number OF different vehicles was
masscd, above which rose like so many var-colored
mushrooms a series OF gay parasos, and from under
the paras0s 1t Is TO be presumed great battery OF
bright eyes cleaned forth. At the upper end Of the
man stand, on the blufry green ridges, other vehi-
Giles were drawn up not in very large numbers. not
one third as many as on previous occasions; and
higher sui running along by the elevated boundary
for many more. In fifty different places, where
the eye wandered and sought repose In among the
tail ems where more OF shadow than OF sunlight en-
tered groups OF threes and fours-sometimes per-
hlps, dozen-with hamper OF good things among
them, might be observed seated on the grass and
looking certainly more contented than the busy
crowds that thrOnged about the BOOKSELLERS stand
or sauntered uneasily around the quarter stretch.
Then there were many other little sights here and
there that gave endless variety to the vision. Now
horse capering along the track, duckiDg his head
and dancing with very gee at the prospect OF a
close brush In the coming race. Again, brace OF
dainty little jockeys cutting the air with their riding
main stand. Then O whole party OF ladies'
And gentlemen winding their way down the rustic
staircase Of the club house and the sward aud
the track to the club stand On every side there was
abundance Of pretty tabeaus, and in the scenery
alone anybody with the least touch OF sentiment
could lind ilimitabe sources Of delight Next to the
sight OF the beautiful women the balcony perhaps
the music was the succeeding charm aud then for
those who love excitement, why there was the
stirring feature Of the race. But the music was ex.
qulsite beyond the ordinary measure, owing In q
great degree to the elevation from whence II came
and to the breeze that bore its notes across the en-
tire course TO the distant hills from whence II re-
turned In faint and tender echoes.
CERTAIN DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
One OF the incidents of the day, In the absence OF
crowded throngs, was the appearance on the uuar.
ter stretch OF the two distinguished members OF the
prize ring, Wormald and O'Baldwin. who have
been pitted to fight the 10th OF this month
Do0ney Harris, Harry Hill, Bob Brettlc, Joe Cobnrn