The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-24
RACES ON THE ME-.
TAIRIF.

TEere was quite a large attendance on the
Metsirie yesterday, and it was not remarkable, in
view Of the charming weather and the cool
pleasant atmosphere, which tempted people to
leave ths city and enjoy the pleasures of a drive.
The track was In splendid order, and to each one
OF those Who entered, gave promise Of pleasant
sport. Not few we're attracted thitheT BY the
announcement Of the mule race, nor were their
antcipations disappointed, as will be seen further
! down.
TIRE FIRST RACE
was mile heats for proprietors' purse of $50 for
which there had been five entries. or these,
! however, only three, Bismarck, BED Bird and
! FdUorlte entered, both the two first mentioned
among the bettors.
iTst Hegt.3At the drum tap good start was
made, Red Bird taking the lead past the quarter
pole IN Z63 seconds. On the back stretch Bis.
marck crept up to the second place. but Red Bird
Kept the gap open between them, passing the
han mile pole in 90 seconds. At this point Bis
marck made strong pull for the first place, and
came down the home stretch nearly abreast of his
competitors but Red Bird eucceeaed in passin0
pnoer the string half neck ahead, and won the
Second Beat.-Red Bird led of. making the
fuarter in 26 seconds Bismarck, however went
ahead Of him on the back stretch aad passing
& lne hai, mile pole IN 52, continued gaining ground
until the thlrd quarter was reached, when Red
Bro came up again. But the pluoky winner of
the hrst heat could not overcome the advantages
his opponent had gained, and the consequence
was that Bismarck won the heat bv one length in
l:523. After the horses had been led into the
cooling ground it was discovered that Red Rrd
had given away in his left fore leg. II was there.
fore seeded, by consent of the jn6ges, to with
draw him from the race.
The 4hjrd Hedt-Was devoid of general inter-
est, it being generally conceded that Bismarck
would prove the winner Such was the case, the
colt taking the lead passing the quarter in 20
seconds, the half mile in 573 and winning the heat
and race By three or four lengths, in 2O3s.
THE MULE RACE.
As the decision was announced, and the two
horses were led away to the stables, there might
have been seen approaching from the opposite
dnecuon motley cavalcade of mules each led by |
agroom, and saddled for the race. The scene NAV |
be best compared TO one OF those pictures to |
which in school days we were treated by geo |
graphers, as representing train of pack mules |
crossing the Cordillerss mountains. Some of |
them were docie enough, some looked vicious |
really malignant, as they whisked away the fes /
with their switchy csudal appendages. AS thew /
drew near the stand the laughter began. The |
rlders were IN the best of humor, and If they had
any misgivings, did not show it, although one was
so unfortunate as TO sustain two tumbles after
pluekily holding on until flesh and blood could |
endure it no longer. Then finally eight riders
were mounted and ready for the race.
But, of sudden, to the amusement of
seven of them, the steed of the eighth began to
cut up amusing antics right in the middle Of the
course before the stand, and he too succeeded in |
dislodgng his rider, who mounted again and start.
ed with the rest. OF they went, some with
spirit, some laggardy. There was great difficulty |
in inducing several fractions steeds to pass the
gate, now closed, by which they had entered and
stick, and did efectual service in squirting them
on. 1t was two mile dash that was to be run,
but before reaching the quarter pole one or two
had stopped stock.still, and obstinatey refused
4 q uh 10 to 1.v.lC a.
the visitors stand presented an animated spec.
taele. People were crowding to the front, stand.
ing on the seats, even on the railing, and all split
ting their sides with laughter. Down
them well in advance, the rest stringing
along at intervals. There was one distinguished
by the red shirt of his rider, another by wearing
a blind bride. and upon these two there was con.
siderable betting done. They came down the
home stretch on good run, having made the first
mile In BOB, and went bravely on, scorninQ the |
seducnons OF entrance gates and green pasture
grounds beyond. There was a scattering as they |
passed the stand, people showing very evident
1uwllllngness TO become acquainted with their |
boots. After them, inside the field, and attracted
probably by the noise and clatter, followed a
icore or two of horses and mules, even one little
colt trotting along at its mothers heels through
he grass, anxious to see what all this unusual |
lubbub could be about.
To sum the matter all up, for It was too ludi- |
'rous TO admit of any just description by pen |
md paper, six Of the eight mules came in, the |
oremost being "blind bride" who made the two |
niles in 6:203, and won the silver goblet by his
lTowess. One Of the mules in coming abreast of |
he stand, knocked down and ran over q gentle.
nan standing by, but fortunately without iniur. |
ng him. And go to the infinite amusement of all |
pectators. the mule race passed off without
erious injury to any one, and has only given a
eener Zest TO our anticipations of the coming
imilar race at the F6te Champetre, on Tuesday.
We append summary of the first race:
SUMMARY.
lie heats. Wv ,
OIL Neligan enters b C. Bismdrck y O. by Lex
ington, dam Miss Pettus by Gil ncOe, ia rs
J. A. Wilson enters b. e FdrOTits, aged dam Tenn.
tas on by imp. Trustee, catch weighs. 3 3
. Ia James enters b. b. Red Bird, v O. by Lexing- Z
ION, dam Sally Polk by EmbAss sdor ia bs -, l 2dr