The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-05
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The announcement that race would take
place At the National course yesterday after
noon, between two celebrated Baltimore
horses, had the effect of bringing out q large
number of our citizens who enjoy such
sport, and the company present numbered
about one thousand. The Park Association
are making very great improvements at the
National course, and At the spring meeting,
which commences next Monday, every ar
rangement vii! be completed to insure a
successful season, and one that will be
credit to our city aud to the National course,
which Is considered one of the best race
grounds in the country.
The National track is pear.shaped and has
been so improved as to render It what Is
known as q "fast" track.
A very large building, three stories 10
height, has been erected and is now approach
ing completion, which, besides being used as
the "grund stand,' has also ample and
complete restaurant facilities on the lover
floor.
The third story has been arranged as au
elegant ball room. its dimensions ares length
l2j feet, width 60 feet. Every possible con.
provided and we anticipate great deal Of
pleasure and enjoyment for our citizens from
the approaching spring meeting.
THE RACE YESTERDAY.
The race yesterday was between the horses
of two wcll-known sporting gentlemen, Mr..
A. fawcctt, the former owner of Dexter,
and Mr.. Abe johnson, u well-known horse
man. Of Baltimore. The horse designated
by Mr.. Fawcett was u large iron grey, pur.
chased last year in Chicago, Illinois, BY his
present owner. lie was foaled and raised Ia
Warsaw, Indiana, and his new owner named
him in honor Of his birthplace.
Warsaw as above stated is an iron-grey, 10
hands high, years old, and is in all re-
spcCts q beautiful animal. The ''kuowing
ones after looking at him when he first
made his appearance could not help but cx-
press their admiration, although the general
impression was that he was almost too
Aeshy to make a good race.
George NJ. Patchcn, IT,, Is q well-known
Baltimore horse, Of a dark bay color, and
has a good record and pedigree. He is a
beautiful animal, n good square trOtter, and
had hosts of admirers yesterday.
When the horses were first paraded on the
track they were the subject of much critl-
cism, and PatChen was the favorlte in the
betting ut two to one.
The judges chosen to decide the race were
three well-known gentlemen of this COM
munity, and upon their taking the stand
they announced the race to be for 81 600
mile heats, best three In Ave to harness
They further stated that Warsaw had the
inside track.
Warsaw was driven by his trainer, George
W. Nelson, Of Baltimore, while Mr.. johnson
managed his own horse.
After some time spent In Intellectual at
tempts to get "send or the word "go'
was given at $3.50 O'Clock.
FIRST HEAT.
The horses crossed the score well together,
Patchen slightly ahead. About half way to
the first quarter the grey horse broke badly,
and when Patchen passed the quarter pole
his opponent was fully eight lengths behind
with the gap opening. Nelson, however,
urged his animal, and Warsaw exhibited n
splendid burst Of speed, gradually closing
after passing the half mile. At the three
quarter pole the horses were nearly together,
but PatChen, taking the inside track, came
down the home stretch ahead and crossed the
score with Warsaw about q length behind.
The time made was as follows: first quar-
ter, 81; second, l.l5l3; third, l.55; time of
heat, 2.3i'3.
lsECoSD HEAT.
Patchcn had the inside track at the start,
and the horses got OIL well together. Near
ing the first quarter the bay horse broke, but
was soon brought down TO his " ork Warsaw
all the time trOttins beautifully. After pass
Ing the pole the grey broke badly, and John
son, taking advantage Of this circumstance
urged his horse, causing huge gap to inter.
ycne, and on passing the half mile the horses
were thirty yarlsupar. The grey gradually
closed with III, opponent, but to no avail, as
the driver Of Putchen put his beast to his
best aud passed the third quarter two lengths
ahead, which order was the same down the
hOine-strclCh, PatChcn crossing the score
about three lengths ahead. Warsaw broke
while nearing the stand, but was brought to
trot before reaching the score. The time
was as follows first quarter, 3G second, 1:l5;
third, l:j1j time of heat, 2;37l5.
THIRD HEAT.
Some time was lost in getting ready for
start of, and In making n short turn the
wheel of the sulky In which Mr.. johnson
was seated sustained such an injury that he
wac compelled to change ii for another. A
good dcn, Of iOckcyng was INDUCED In by
the drivers, but finally the word "go" was
gwen, and the horses started In capital style.
Near the quarter pole the grey broke,
fatcHeh gradually drawing away from him,
and II was not until the COntestlng animals
had reached the last quarter that Warsaw
o'eIhaulcu ms antagonist. As they roun ded
the turn on the home stretch the horses got
together and beautiful race was seen. both
animals trottlng squarcly and honestly TO
the score SO close together that they might
have been covered with a blanket. Just be-
fore reaching the score, however, Patchcn
shot ahead, and came In the winner Of the
heat by q neck. The time made was the
same on the quarters as the second heat.
Iimc On the heat, 2:37.
some little dissatisfaction was exhibited at
the Judgment on the last heat, but this was
soon satisfactorily disposed of. The race
was FOOD one and was ably contested.
DlreCily AitrI the announcement of the re-
suit Nr. FawCctl challenged the winner for
purse of 1000 Side, which offer was
held under ADJUSTMENT. 1t was the general
IMPRESSION, loudly expressed, that if anothnr
meeting OF the animals Is had the grey horse
Will come OF the victor. A more orderly and
respectable ussemblugG than that gathered
yesterday we have never seen Oh ace track
and the management have reason to con-
graduate themselves on the result Ofthc DAVIS
sport.
On the street leading to the navy ward
bridge, Lieut.. Austin, OF the Eighth precinct
station, had officers stationed to prevent
racing. The Lieutenant with several Of his
men were at the course, but their services
were not required. We are pleased to thus
note the successful opening of the National
course, and wish II success at the spring
meeting.
PAVEMENT TO DE LAID.-TO-day the work
ri pUltlng down pavcments on the north
SIN" Of Virginia, between Fourth and Sixth
-ir''ls cast, and on Ninth street, from C
street I" south Carolina avenue, will be com
mcnCcd BY Mc-srs. Kirby 4 Co., the contrac-
tors Tor this work IN the Sixth ward.