The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-12

FIRST PAYS RACES.

Louisiana bad reason TO be proud Of the assem-
blage which yesterday gathered together upon the
Metairie Course, to witness the renewal of those
sports, which have given TO the spot a historic
reputation, and to the Jockey Club a name second
to none in the country. Long before the hour,
O'Clock, for which the races had been xed, hun
dreds Of people, even hundreds of vehicles might
have been pouring from all directions to ward
the Common or Canal street shell roads, evidently
intent on enjoying the occasion to the fullest ex
tent. Every variety Of equipaee was dscovera.'
bic among that pleasure seeking throug, and the
scene half hidden by the dust from the road re.
minded one of an imaginative mind of those en-
cravings where the population Of Pompeii or Of
Naples are represented fleeing from their homes
and taking refuge in the open country. Cabs and
bsrouches. phetons and landreaux, buggies and
sulkies saddle horses and that time honored mare.
sired by shanks, all struggled together to convey
their occupants to the scene where the days an
ticipations were to be realized. r
More beautiful weather could not have been
desired. The track, thanks to the foresight and
care of Maj. James, was in excellent condition
aud the clerk Of the weather dispatched score
or two OF his softest breezes to play among the
ringlets shadowing fair brows to fan the heated
jockeys, ss, wearied in the chase, they threw
BTteuSW1T0.
That there was q crowd present no one, on ap-
preaching the entrance gate, would doubt. Car
risges and buggies were drawn mp in solid bat
talioDs along every strip OF fence inside aud out
side the gates, skirted the base Of every tree or
stood isolated here and there in the open spaces.
Inside the track any number OF felders cantered
and ran up aud down, following the racers in their
rounds. 1t l- ft
At the stand il was anything but a stand still.
The public stand vss really overcrowded roomy
as II is the members stand was almost as near
full, and the portion allotted to the farer sex was
literally radiant with mingled colors moving fans
waving handkerchiefs and fair. bright eager faces
Down stairs all was life and excitement. Bars
were established at convenient intervals, render
ing It impossible for one to die Of thirst anywhere
in the vicinity. Sundry shouts Of Copper that
queen,'' " play the ace TO win,n Eagle Bird.v
g Thirteen In the red. and so FORTH coupled with
"Johnny, gil me another stack o. chips,v aud
constant click. click, click Of the little ivory
mustard seeds, from which each possessor hoped
to see spring monster tree Of fortune, suggested
very forciby that the tiger had broken loose from
his lair in town. and was, with the rest determined
TO play the old scratch.
very liberal lunch was spread for members
ana invited guests, nor can We say that there ap-
peared TO be any lack Of readiness in partaking
lady visitors. Z.
Outside. there was good deal Of money chang.
lne hands, although the sale Of pools on the pre-
v!ooe evening and during the day had absorbed
all the spare cash that many wished to invest
Sun there were me.handsoms sums up on one
or two favorites, and it was therefore with no
little interest that the tap Of the bell and the order
to clear the track announced the -
ae FIRST RACE,
Which was 9 hurdle race. two mile dash, eight
leaps. fo< purse Of $1,000. This handsome stake
had induced the entry OF four competitors, three
Of them sired BY Lexington, and having come
from Kentucky 10 take part In the raae. The en-