The New York herald., 1869-06-09
TIE AMERICAN JOCKEY CLUB.
Second Day OF the Jerome
Park Races.
FOUR EXCITING CONTESTS.
Large Attendance of Beauty
and Fashion.
A Sudden StOrm---T Thunder, Lightning,
Hail and Rain.
GOOD SPORT DESPITE The WEATHER,

GOOD SPORT DESPITE The WEATHER,
The races Of the American Jockey Club were con-
tnued on the Jerome Park course grounds yesterday
the second day OF the spring meeting The events,
whether classified as OF the field, by storm or by
food, were at once exciting, unexpected, novel In
consideration Of the season OF the year, and exhila
rating. The attendance OF fashionable persOnages,
patrons Of the turf and otherwise, was large and
brilliant, out the representation Of the commercial
and middle classes OF the people was limited In con-
sequence OF the antciratory forebodings OF uncer-
tain il not stormy weather, which were uttered by
thousands whose life necessities inclination either
compel or prompt them to scan the appearance OF
the sky just after daybreak daily An ex-
cellent "secondn day was had however, the
programme being fully carried out. There were
four races-the first premium of $780, for all ages,
mile heats; the second for the Westchester Cup.
valued at 81 1,5oo two and quarter miles, the third
the selling race and the fourth race for three year
olds, premium $780, the starts contests style Of
running and result being in each instance noted and
recorded In our columns
1t is known to all travellers and observers Of the
routine habits of our common humanity, both on
this Continent and the Old World that the popu-
lations Of great cities sumber enjoy quiet and again
wake up during some few hours OF the twenty four,
London being tranquized and almost silent for con-
siderable space of time just before the morning
dawn, while Paris sleeps Off her agitatIons dissi-
pations q doze, brief In Duration but sufficiently
profound effect to restore the mental energies and
bodily activity OF her versatile and vivacous chill
dren. In London and Paris these moments Of rest
present an absolute necessity for physical recu-
peration. New York is never asleep. Each hour In
the day. from the opening to the close Of the year.
frrrt tho info of harv
she send forth stream OF thinkers, workers. idlers
strangers and citizens-useful worthless, known
and unknown-the mechanic, the writer, the
business man. day laborer or bon rirant, who are
either returning home to recruit their energies
after 'far days labor" or issuing forth to an
early and earnest renewal Of the battle of life,
roaming around in quest Of shelter and sedative
after exhaustive hours i'll spent and improbable,
wasted in the pursuit and enjoyment of what they
term pleasure. Such is the daily life of the
American metropolis. 1t was unchanged yesterday,
with the exception that the people at large remen.
bered the day was the second of the races at Ford
ham, and determined, very universally. to enjoy It
denly about eight O'Clock Filth avenue was even
nue., in Its hopeful fair ones and ''bloods"
OF dash and venture, soon experienced
OF sprs 81 suc as ver Sy % a
senslbiitles OF the approach OF unpleasant weathep
OF storm The rain soon ceased, however, and the
morning hours wore on with a light variable yet
spoke Of their dresses, and determined that they
orders 70 their servants 'to look fo the team ana
carriage" with expeTlepced advice as TO the tint
ana SO M r % aSS
show To the best advantage in the actual condition
Of the atmosphere the light and the shade Sporting
looked to and the gearing made 'all right.n Some
few Of our traders hed 10 the livery Stables while
and the railroad as well as the proprley or other
wise OF 'venturng the Children" all or any Of the
number, out "Early ones" were TO be seen on Fiitn
were Harlemward from town. AT past noon how
ever. there were not many arrivals AT the club house
About hity persons only were 70 be found near the
grand stand, and none had taken up place" for
observation The scene on the ground was PASTORAL
calm and quiet to u degree. Shortly after noon
vehicles OF the more substantial and business.
like order commenced TO run in on the grand
entrance and assume convenient positions under
shade Of the fences, on the green knobs
IN the fluctuations which are 10 be found In the
ground and near the course. Groups OF men formed
more ladies alighted. jockeys peered out IN their
''colors" and the stables became more 'lively."
e Was commenced. Some e said L wouId turn out
showery in the afternoon" while Others were quite
positive In their guarantee OF continued sunshine.
Old Sol had IL all his own way, apparently, light
wind prevailing from about southwest. At halfpast
twelve or few minutes after that hour the wind
shifted again and became exceedingly change
able, blowing, If from any exact point Tor
Q time, from the northeast. The sky became
Ss srh na Of tne h1 n
1reshened with cold streak OF lightning dashed
out and ram commenced TO fall. Heavy thunder
peas followed, the clouds were still more heavy,
the far hills waXed little ''hoary." ana fringed
with "white capes in their mantles bue.n The sun
itself appeared TO struggle against the coming
change. thunder was again heard, the lightning
flashes became vivid and frequent while the
Snaas were T swep1 y % Of g hs mir II w wS
many degrees. The weather was cold, ana both the
club house front, grand stand hills, dells and tree
cold still more intense were succeeded oy
n nail storm. A hail storm in June IL
was indeed hail storm. and in June. Han
Came down on all sides and IN every direction.
3iastones larger Jhan peas ana an every form OF
crysallizatlon covered the course were swept into
every Granny and nook, invaded the club house ap-
proaches, were hurled against aud Into the grand
stand silyerng the eartn around the outside trees
the very foliage OF which appeared TO contract from
tle cold. CHANGING OF the sky overhanging the course
of the East and North rivers II was dark almost TO
backneSs. furious gale set In from the northwest,
the awnings end awning posts swung and shivered.
There general stampede from the grand stand,
WIN hurried assurances ,., %, NO , racs, sorIy,
by weather. with many others equally meians
choy, botn In tone and as 10 the manner
OF delivery. The heat Of the earth soon
dissolved q large portion OF the hail, but
not before one OF the employees OF the club house
had packed from II q dozen balls-each twice the
size OF a billiard bal-and placed them In an empty
nower-stand on the piazza, where they remained
hard as Ice during the evening The sudden solution
oi the han flooded the track deeply IL having been
beaten hard previously by the rain. Disheartenlng
scenes were then wltncssed--men, boys, aud even
ladies endeavorlng TO wade through the yellow
gutter, or trip up the ice-covered steps which lead
10 the club house. The pilgrimage and work were
solitary and sad The course was flooded with
mud resembling yellow ochre pant-a band OF
men were despatched from the club house
as TO sweep the pazzas ana render
magnificent sky scene was exhibited. In the ex
treme north the clouds hung dark and lowering but
pierced here and there with patches OF the cearest
azure blue, relieved ana broken by patches
OF pure white, thus pcIurng forth hope tnat as
IN the lie OF individuals, "Many u dark and
cloudy morn brings forth o sunny day. From tic
Bronx along the course Of the East river to be
seen dense masses OF clouds charged with
electricity the atmosphere being occasionally illu-
minated by flashes Of lightning which shot from
behind them assuming the most fantastic shapes
elcltng by their appearance EXPLANATIONS OF 'ele
gant,o ''nagnincent,r and such like from the ladies'
AT thlrty.six minutes past O'Clock the track was