The New York herald., 1869-04-22

auspiciousy. Although the previous night ana the
morning were SO stormy that postponement was
talked Of yet the after part OF the day turned out
pleasantly, with the exception Of high wind wnich
prevailed throughout the whole afternoon. There
was NO dust however to annoy any one, as tne
heavy rain storm had completely allayed It. The
track has been changed advantage0usly since last
season, and being newly made and more or less wet
was somewhat heavy. The track has now been
brought In close proximity to the stand, 80 that
spectators have much better view Of the proceed
ings than formerly. The attendance was larger than
was looked for under the circumstances. Among
them were TO be seen most Of the old habitues
that have been in the habit OF seeing year after
year for quarter OF century; for their tenacity
Of life is 20 strong that though Time seems to
have made his attacks upon them, yet their coun-
tenances are just as familiar as they were twenty
years ago. Visiting the trottlng track must be
healthful recreation.
The trot was for purse and stake Of $500, mile
heats best three In fve in harness, and the horses
entered were John Cudney's bay gelding Twist, D.
Mace's brown gelding Captain Jinks, W. Borst's bay
stallion Henry Clay, G. Champlin's bay mare Belle
Clay, and M. Robins brown mare Belle Of Allentown
Dan. Mace's Captain links having fallen, he was
allowed to substitute the chestnut Louise In his
place. with the proviso that she went to wagon. She
was the favore In the first pools and sold at nearly
even against the field; but subsequently others
took the same position she had. After the first
heat which was won by Twist, he became the
favorlte and continued until the end of the race,
which seemed to lie between him and Louise
throughout the three heats that were trotted. The
trotting was better than any one had reason TO
anticipate from heavy track, high winds, and the
first event OF the new year.
The trotting season may now be said to have
fairly commenced, and judging from the number Of
horses In training all over the country and the num-
ber OF large purses offered BY the various associa
tons and propretors OF tracks here and elsewhere,
we may safely predict the most brilliant trotting
season that has ever taken place In this coun-
try AT least 900 in the shape Of purses Will be
given by the different proprietors Of race tracks
ana associations throughout the land, to
| say nothing OF the matches that will
be continually taking place during the season. The
first of these Matches Of which there are two be-
tween the same horses, is that between Lady Thorn
and American GIRL and viii take place on the Sd Of
| Nav at the above course, and will attract large
attendance judging from the interest manifested in
| that event by those at the trot yesterday week
| following they meet again at the same place,
| but differently rigged, the first race being In har
| ness, while the second will be to wagon, and no
| matter what the result of these races may be as
regards the OF either horse 1t will be an In
teossfs ron@ ssp of II the season. Both mares are in fine
bodily condition, and in their preparatory training
give indications Of everything desirable TO their
these matches have been decided then the trottlng
for the purses Will commence on the different
| trotting tracks and pleasure grounds through
| out the country. The purses OF the Fashion
| Course and the Prospect Park Pleasure Grounds
| close on the 26th inst; those OF the Narragan-
set Park Association close on the 11th of
| May; those Of the Boston Trotting Association
Boston on on the 7t6 Of Nav the aggregate amount
Of the above purses is s6i ioOo which, added to those
which will be given at other tracks VIII faly come
the community as evinced by the great premiums
offered to trotting horses, tends TO show the high
estimation trOtting Is held in all over the country.
one Of the many reasons why trotting Is popular
is to be found In the fact that the best horse Is
almost certain to win the race, more particularly
! when competent and disinterested judges occupy
the stand and that the highest degree OF speed and
endurance Is sure to be exhibited II necessary to
win. Besides the sport Is legtimately American
and beyond the reach OF foreign influence either in
the shape Of sbookmaking'' or sweeps" which are
about equivalent to the modern game Of ''poko-
moke' playing, or the policy system as some
term it,
Twist, the winner OF the race Is beautiful light
bay geding, about fifteen hands high with black
points and good tr0ttng action, but with an obscure
pedigree. His performance yesterday indicates HIM
10 be an excellent horse and that the day Is not far
distant when he VIII occupy notable place on tne
Louise is wen known chestnut mare, with a
| white stripe in her face and white heels. she has
| been on the track some time. and her performance
was quite as credtable II not more SO, than on any
Henry Clay is a fine looking bay stallion, with
| white heels. He stands about sixteen hands. Is
finely proportoned and his rotting action Is fault.
less. lie belongs TO the Clay branch OF the great
| Bashaw family being the third in descent nom
Andrew Jackson. He was sired by Mr.. waltemre's
Belle Clay is Q small, wiry-looking mare, about
fourteen and q half hands high. Her color Is dirl-
20 % s sag nasSaw as family ad Was
by son OF Cassius ID. Clay She Is well known In
the Eastern States having troted at Boston several
Belle Of Allentown is good sized. wel-propor-
toned brown mare, with very good trotiny action.
she looks like q well bred mare, but We did not
We will now proceed to give the details OF
| THE TRoT.
First Hedt.-Henry Clay won the pole, Belle OF
Allentown the second place Louise the tnird, Twist
the fourth, and Belle Clay had TO take tue only post
ton eit which was the outside. After scorlhs
several times they came up struggling, and
got the word when they least expected It
OF and Louise the worst. beng behind on
a break. As they reached the quarter-poe Tw.st
had lead OF three lengths q BeIe & 9 A,enown % @ sec,
lengths 10 'front.' OF Louise, Belle Clay being last anu
on break She appeared not TO have mad work
enough to steady her. and her spirits were too exhu-
berant while in company. The quarter pole was
passed IN thirty-nine and a half seconds. Going
was four lengths In front at the half mile pole, In
l:l9H; Henry Clay second one length ahead OF
Louise who four lengths In advance OF Belle OF
Allentown, Belle Clay bringing up the rear. On the
| Flushing end the stallion gained gradually on the
leading horse, the driver OF TWIST evidently having
him well In hand, and when Twist passed the
three-quarter pole he was not over two
| lengths ahead OF the stallion, Louise two
lengths behind. and the two others several lengths
farther OF. Coming up the homestretch Twist trot-
ted faster and won by three lengths. There was a
contest for the second place between Louise and the
stallion, which resulted IN favor OF the mare by a
mead. Belle Of Allentown was four lengths behind
the stallion aud three lengths ahead OF Belle Clay.
| Time OF the heat 2:45Z.
second Heat.-Twst was now the favorite against
the ned, and the betting was brisk. The start this
time was very little better than In the first heat,
Trist again having the best OF 1t, while the stallion
| aud Louise were both a break at the time the
| word was given. At the quarter pole which was
| passed In forty and half seconds, Twist led
one length. Louise second, three lengths ahead OF
the Belle Of Allentown, who was two lengths In
front OF Henry Clay, Belle Clay three lengths be-
hind. On the backstretch Louise trotted very
finely and took sides with Twist at the hafmile