The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-16
THE PATTERSON RACES.
FIR ST DAY.

The Hurdle Race Won by Lobclia, the Two
Yenr Old Race by COtterell and the Mile
Heat by C0rsican.
II the reopening Of the Paterson race course
which took place yesterday under new and improved
management, had been more generally known there
IL httle doubt very large assemblage would have
appeared on the grounds. No better day ior morse
race ever dawned on the banks OF the Passac. 1t
was cool, crisp and clear, with flood OF sunshine
in the early morning and through the noontde that
gave gay and laughing look to the river, WOODS
ana meadows. The track was In prime condition,
with the slight exception of few perches of damp
clay on the three-quarter stretch. Elsewhere 1t was
dry and smooth as a billiard table, and yielded to
the tread like Brussels carpet on six inch
layer OF straw paper AS it Is there are
just six inches OF stable manure laid beneath
the finest OF gritty gravel II nature be true to her
yegetative instincts there should be fine crop OF
something verdant on this track next spring. Up to
noon horse and a harrow, with darky III charge,
kept moving around the course reducing the uneven
surface to uniform level After il was all done the
track appeared as if 1t had been dressed with fine
tooth cOmb-an appearance which produced q very
favorable impression The first train OF brought
the BONA fde hOrsemen, not in very large numbers,
but still in sufficient force to make respectable
was, as usual, up to his eyes in business. with a
bright smile ana merry welcOmesfor every one.
Long life TO himl If Paterson race course fail to
prove brilliant success under his management
then the world must be out OF Joint or
the eternal fitness Of Things works to disadvantage.
The hOrsemen gathered in cluster on the broad
piazza OF the hotel and 10 the Initiated eye 1t was
easy to perceive they were all gentlemen acquainted
with the mysteries OF the race course the 1ne and
faulty points of every running animal and all the
rest OF that extensive repertoire of knowledge apper
tanning to the turf. To anybody else the premna-
ries of race bore. To the mere casual visitor
nothing Is interesting but the flying steeds, ana to
the m0rbidly inclined the breaking OF a Jockeys
neck over hurdle fence must be an additional spice
OF entertainment. lowering around the hotel was
cloud OF b0otblacks, evidently imprOvised for the
OCCASION, as they certainly never came from the
impossible that they could ever derive arevenue to
pay even for peanuts in the rural retreats OF Paterson
a number OF darkies with the genuine African wool,
amagamatcd themselves with the rest, talking
horse and making bets ranging from five cents TO
the price OF Paterson cigar. Then there was
host Of stablemen with bits OF plain, green ribbon
members wore the same color Notwithstanding
about in every direction AZ rule they were
dressed in the conventional way with tight hitting,
eathery-looking pantaloons. socky boots and gayy
colored neckerchIefs They appeared very cheerful,
and are no doubt u contented race OF men.
The pool selling might have been more spirited II
the result OF each race involved in greater doubt
certain horse in each Of the entries competition was
deprived OF its most lively edge. wagons OF rustic
shape and make came struggling in about noon aud
deposited full loads Of sightseeing and fun-oving
lads and lassies.
The grand stand had fair sprinsling OF ladies'
rural ladies' most OF them. There was none OF that
superb nonsense carried on among them which Is
reported to be such fashionable affair AZ Jerome
Parknamely, betting OF kid gloves The JERSEY girls
are sensible There IL just about much fun in
ladies betting Kid gloves on u horse race as In Two
gents betting sleeve buttons on baby show As has
been already sad no better day ever came out OF the
heavens Tor enjoying trial OF trained horse1esh.
and 1t appeared provoking that single seat on the
main or any or the side stands should have been
vacant. The races were brief and lively, and, IN
deed, taking the programme rs IL was acled the
weather as II remained through the day and the
spirit OF good hum0r manifest among al present,
there have been few occasions on the Paterson field
more generally enjoyed. In the side enclosures,
admission TO which Is at tarin within the reach Of
all, there were several hundred spectators, among
whom the contagOn OF betting-an epidemic which
spreads at lightning speed on the breezy air OF a
race course-was more Of spOrtive than OF
serious, business like character AZ under the main
stand But there was an nfinity OF fun without any
formidable exchanges OF currency. little after
one o'clock the Juvenile Jockeys were weighed In the
balance and found all right. Those OF larger growth
were also measured In av0irdup0s and sent their
| way rejoicing. The place where this operation was
performed is Immediately under the second story Of
the Judges stand and consists OF nothing more pre-
| tentiOus than few hooks for hanging coats and
| caps upon and small simple weighing machine that
accommodates riders OF both races. black and white
turn. At half O'Clock. the time appointed
for the race, DIR. Underwood who by this time was
Immersed head and ears I'm the one thousand and
one matters that demanded the attention Of q man.
ager OF race course, made rush across the track
exclaimng, '.Where's that bugle fellow Where IL
hef' "Bere he Is, Doctor; here he Is alanna,v an
swered an Irish Ostler pointing out the man who
held the trumpet In martial attitude nj his lips.
Tell him TO blow away like blazes,n continued the
Doctor, and forthwith n usty blast OF brazen music
echoed 10 the hills, tue steeds brought FORTH the
jockeys tigbtened Their braces ana excitement OF
the daY began.