New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-27
OUTDOOR SPORTS.
THE TURF.
sTEFPLF-CHAsE AT JEROME PARK.

est triumph and most pleasant crown set upon s
season All things seemed to conspre to swell the sue
cess of its farewell meeting The day beautiful with
a sunlight slightly trappte, and q fresh, brisk sir,
| which seemed to touch the scene and those who
moved II with animation. The whole Park
was alive with interest, and at moments with delight
Nor IL to advantage than as now
IN its struggle between sober Autumn livery and
Summers lingering dress We have seen Ascot IN It's
brightest days, when horses ran, as Ta'ma played
TO balcony full Of kings; we have seen the
still more beautiful GOodwood, when one OF the
lOvelest sylvan scenes in England was made
more lovely by hgh-bred women men, horses and Oil
the appliances that could make nature more beautiful
but although Jerome Park the surrounding was less
splendid and the gliding thin, we do not remember
TO have fairer preor sight than yesterday IL
presented. Although the race-track itselt Is compn
Gated and curious, and has slight circusy dir,
| yet the situation and surroundings are singulary
pleasant. and with the valley OF contest placed in the
beneath and the Clubhouse and stands on each
opposite hight, with their gay balconies hlled with
women whose bright costumes huttered like field OF
flowers above and through the dark Of male
taOrs formed object at interesting and pctur'
esque. Among the remarkable OF the duller and
/ heavier set who, from the Club TO the stand
house, constantly exchanged sides were Commodore
Vanderbilt whose freshness neither age nor Ee seems
able TO destroy, surrounded by his satellites, Frank
Work Sam Burger &C.; Mr. Lester Walack, with hs pic
turesQuely sad Alexander serk air. oppressed with
the load oflove which L. heaped upon him; Col George
Butler, acknowledging with strong Chutney flavor the
congratulations OF myriad Of friends on his appointment
to India; Jerome with his genial smile and handsome
presence Travers with his 1.-THE Frame breed" every
fiber and Hecksher Babcock. and a number OF people
OF that class To attempt description OF the beauties
the fairer would require list long as the ships
OF Homer. We would not venture 10 emprison on our
editorial glass the images OF loneliness or dare TO
dilate upon the dellcacies OF a ribbon or touch
Tho fnrfur NJ lt
say that every carriage which unloOsed Its
lovely captiyes at the Clubhouse gates
seemed to let fall fake Of mingled and sunshine
and that or distinguished Brtshers were driven
admit that country IN the world can produce on
such an occasion so many lovely women. In England
they have rich heavy tulip, TIE light delicate geranium
blooms here. '
Then the racing quite in keeping with the scene
perhaps the certainly the best contested Jerome
Park has seen The steeplechase was not as 1t was In
England the cradle Of this race There IL took It's origin
in number Of leading sportsmen at Melton Mowbrsy In
Leicestershire, undertaking. one moonlight night TO
mount in full evening dress and ride round church in
the distance, the seeple being their polar star, and
thence home, taking every fence and stream that
offered in the distance In that spirit 1t has since been
there maintained. steeple chase Is strife across
country taking the natural fences and streams that offer
on the way Here the was constructed and aru-
fetal the fences being slightly theatrical and the streams
OF a depth in which q loye-sick frog could scarce
ly and space for suicide. stu, the effect
pretty the most exciting and the contest close
and the steep chase achieved what Is termed In theat
cal circles most decided After al the steeple
chases in France have not much more reality than the
one of yesterday and both the latter offer
far more pleasure TO the spectator than the
English crosscountry chase In which the horses
after five minutes. lost sight Of aud not again
seen, until In very struggling and unnteresting order
they the post The success OF the race here
al lighf
Perhaps, however, Of the most pleasant
features OF the meeting the universal
thrill OF pleasure which seemed 20 run through
the Park at the OF Mr. Jeromes y In the selling
stakes II easy 20 feel that the general outbst OF
Joy not much ebuton Of delight at the sue
cess itself OF the opportunity It offered to give
expression TO the feeling Of affection which lies at the
heart Of the public for man Ike Leonard
Jerome, who has done much with generous, manly,
gentemany hand 60 establish relieved Of all it, dopress
Ing and Objectionable forms, noble pasme In this ooun.
try 1t was tribute spoHt aneous and fresh from the
heart OF a multitude. OF which any might feel
proud. al am d friend, Sir" said DIR. John
son, "to public Rmusemenu, for they keep
people from vice" We know Of no more uneI.
cepuonabe public amusement than Jerome Park
races conducted IN tho spirit in which they
They cultivate and encourage which, the original
purpose OF racing In England higher breed OF horses
They bring together In the open reshening air. in mu
tual engagement noble pastlme vast masses
OF people, aud In bringing them together
foster and strengthen that national feeling on
which the strength Of Kingdoms most depends.
We have seen 1t suggested by OF contemporaries
that the race course open free the
booths shows. &c We sincerely trust that such de-
structye innovation will DO permitted There Is no such
riotous democracy II the world as such race
course as EPSON onI Derby day in England.
Death itself is not greater leyeer
OF distinction. The costermonger feels himself
entitled to rub against the Duke but the spirit seems to
pervade all animals for that day, and the donkey who
browses Oh the thistle on the waysde pushes his
against tho richly capafisoned thoroughbred who
dashes along the road 10 Epson. The day is
great national debauch OF drinking and betting
Racing In England Is, In consequence, losing
yearly its prestige and fast sinking in character
Jerome Park has such rowdy element The most re-
fined lady may visit II foaressy even unacoompaned and
alone From the date OF It's opening to the present hour
no person been arrested within its confines by
the police for any ofense, which is more than
can DO said OF any racecourse In the world
Under its present civilized and refined direction
1t meets all and than the itsipromoters
hoped There at present four times the number
Of horses in training than there were last
year There are double the number OF entries for
the Belmont Champion, and Travers stakes than there
were last year. and the receipts at this meeting
have been greater than Mt preceding and have grad
ualy grown with IT'S growth 1t is at present tho best
conducted and most civilized In the world
Lot It persevere then, the same golden path and 1t
must conquer.
THE sTEEPLECIIAsE
was the great event Of the day and the source OF arac
tion TO the assembled thousands The course was about
two miles and q half long, with "a jumps, comprising
walls hurdles, posts and rails, sunk fences and
water lump. 1he entire course was In fun view OF the
grand stand being around tho Inner inclosure
and the clump OF the knoll
ne the upper part OF tho course. Seven
horses were entered aud run, ridden, and Weighted as
follows. ZgZag Beland. $50 pounds Lobella Cah, li9
pounds; BOhannon, Capt Elves IA pounds; Emnence,
nnwnnr 40 pOnnds GhyO. eOlOrod rider, l3s poundsi