The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-27
The Beauty, Fashion and Wealth 3
New York. ~
A MAGNIFICENT STEEpLE CHASE
FOUR SPLENDID RACES.
Oysterman, Niagara, Rapture and
COttrill the Winners.


the American Jockey Club, and one long to be
remembered by the elite Of New York. The extra
day Of the regular fall meeting at Jerome Park
was extraordinary in the brilliancy OF autumnal
weather. IN the superb display OF equipages, its
magnificent array OF beauty and fashion, Its un-
surpassed races and grand steeple chase, without
parallel IN the history Of the American
turf Az finale to the splendid races
OF the season 1t was eminently appropriate.
The year has been characterized by unusually
brilliant meetings At all the principal courses OF the
country ana the inauguration Of new era In Ameri-
can racing To the chapter Of the summers tri-
umphs this extra day adds an illuminated page
whose details win live long In the memories Of the
American Jockey Club and Its friends, and gives
promise Of the transfer to American soil Of the chief
glories Of the turf. With such examples ns
that Of yesterday before us the splendors OF
the Derby day cannot be long confined to Eng
land. We are but Just discovering the resources
awaiting development by our patrons Of the turf,
and with the past years achievements, crowned by
this extra days success, in MIND we may expect
next seasons races to equal II surpass the best
OF Europe.
It was fortunate that the storm OF Saturday hap
pened a. 1t did. The roads and the track at the
Park were In only tolerable condition. and the
grounds were damp and cold with proceed
ing rains; but the postponement Of the
extra day to Tuesday gave time for the
drying OF the soil, return Of pleasant
weather, under the influences Of the October sun,
and the perfection of the elaborate programme. A
better day could not have been had. The sun rose
bright and warm in q coudless SKY, and gentle
wind, just cool enough to be bracing, kept the
atmosphere clear throughout the day. The roads
were dry and smooth but not dusty; the meadows
at the Park were as green and pleasant
rs In spring and the track was in unsurpassed
condition. Everybody interested In racing
matters and who could get out OF town went to the
course and BY eleven O'Clock Fifth avenue and
the Park were crowded with splendid equpages
whirllng away towards the races. Princey fours-
finland, dashng tandems, phaetons, coupes, Vic
torias landaus, dogcarts, stately family carriages
and smaller vehicles Of every style filed the road for
miles. more brilliant display OF turnouts has
never been Witnessed. The prancing teams, re-
splendent with rapplngs and silver the
burnisned carriages rejecting the sunbeams
like thousand mirrors the white ana scarlet robes
OF fashion and the merry voices OF inDumerable fair
women formed vast river OF magnIhcence apd
and filed tire valley at Jerome PARK with splendor
It would be impossible to enumerate 0ne-half the
handsome equ!pages that were out OUT The number ss
summer, and included the rours-in-nand OF
Hiram Cranston, J. B. Felowss !! !, =
Es
land, A. K. Long and MIR. vyse OF Weschester C3ln-
modore Vanderbllt's beautiful BAYS, w. IL. vaiaer-
butts ! bsvs sm nd DOB BAYS car s
Frank Works gray and black tee Charles
gray team ForS's s nacks blacks a c0u and
,sn% H. Gray ysS BAYS ss sna pnse
bays and clarence FsEs S..' JIM bays G and
psrkss bays foe s'i Say and black
team, F. De Barrys bays anSphaeton Morris Lock
woods bays and dog car gray team ID p pea
TEES baroucne and By :: 4. platt,s bays aud
phaeton j. s. Beecheys gray ana sorre, tea sno
P FaSs en Ies GUg Sa and j. Lowry
trays and % Of equal Style anu
In addition to ne vast concourse that went out to
,ns PARK IN their utmost CAPACITY and %
ont unon IT, meadow at Fordham and over the
knobs s sp0t to the course an army, Of people
s SrSokl y61 suburban villages that dot the the
country Above New York all contributed 10 the
.mnn The TOURS INLAND and phaetons were dozens
or cnatry vehicles, whose dustcovered Wheels indi-
cate long drive to the races Outside the grounds
an scattered tents which gave the borders the
sTearance Of an encampment's outpost, and on
esry knoll overlooking the track an enthusiastic
srong OF people watched and cneered the races.
The scene at one O'Clock was indescrlbaDly masni-
AGENT Inc 10re6tS were Qeckeu In their most g0-
rious autumnal colors, the grass on the lawns was
rank and green, and enclosed within grand circle
OF shining carriages great sea OF humanity moved
restlessly 10 aud fro. The long, high stand was
crowded with ladies and gentlemen, the spacious
balconies Of the club house, filed with fashion and
beauty, resonant with the music Of splendid
hand, and the quarter stretch was packed with
brokers, merchants distinguished personages anu
the patrons o. the turf wnicn from dne rocky knoll
down to the open meadows towards the chIrcn,
there stretched o variegated picture OF emerald
xyht rail- and .lln
nuttering white and scarlet guidons that marked
the course OF the steeple chase. The late
degree to the briliancy OF the scene. In.
atead OF the unpretending coors or summer
styles on such occasions the ladies displayed
che rich hues OF heavy silks and satlns, and the
splendid scarlet and orange and white OF winter
robes The section OF the grand stand occupied bv
them bloomed Ike vast bouquet, and the club
rs tropc vale. 1t would seem invidi- 4
ers 70 aanes sne N
was In attendance en- mGsse and among the bril-
liant coteres that adorned the Park scores OF
the most distinguished names Of metropolitan soci-
ely.
TOO much credit cannot be accorded Mr. wheatley,
che secretary OF the Jockey Club, for the admirable
arrangements perfected by him ror the steeple
chase. The course was quito extended, but the
principal features were 50 disposed that every leap
and turn was brought under the immediate
observation OF ali. The hurdles, walls and bitches
were constructed IN the most substantial and PIC
turcsquo manner, that not only contributed In
great degree to the success OF the steeple chase,
but added great beauty 10 the grounds Toe steepe
chase course extended from tue lower extremity OF
tLe grounds up through the centre or the track and
into ROCKY grove east OF the club house, and
The finest one ever laid out In this country. The
Gtccple chase itself was never equalled IN
America. From the moment when the horses
started throughout tho long and winding
race, to the splendid finish at the judges
stand, The immense concourse thrilled with
exctemenr rs II watching "a battle; and AZ the gay
coo-s OF the riders flashed along the plain and over
tho rocks ana bitches, cheer upon cheer rose from
tie multitude and swelcd loud and clear upon the
wind. Sucn spectacle must be seen to be appre-
Clated, words can but family describe II, and the
details OF the steeplc chase given In the report OF the
Lsces cah only AFFORD limited idea OF Its great mag
innocence. The other three races were remarkably
good, surpassng all previous ones at the Park this
season; unusual interest was manifested In each,
anu petnR was very spirited as will be seen by the
following sales OF pools on the course 81 Dr. Under
wood
STEELE CHASE
Bohsnnon. $50 200 lIo loo eso rAo
Mitchell ...... 20 $50 go 40 600 lioo
Tn ,n,. .'''.''' CO. CO. SO SO ioo 40 100 $50