The New York herald., 1871-03-16
THE TURF.
A Brilliant Season in the
Perspective.

turf matters In America and IL requires no prophet
to foresee splendid contests, heavy betting and i'm
mense gatherings OF the people, Racing has always
been popular in all countries where 1t has been pa.
tronized and sustained by honorable and wealthy
gentlemen and graced by the presence OF the ladies'
We ought not to be surprised therefore, at It's rap
idly increasing popularity In the United States,
when the first gentlemen of the land, in such nun.
bers as to forbid the attempt to name them ALL are
heart and ssul, engaged in the sport and investing
millions In native and imported horses OF the purest
blood. and In public and private racing establish
ments OF SURPRISING magnfcence. And the crowning
glory OF the sport Is that there are myrads of bright
eyes present to witness 1t, their sweet possessors
joining in the excitement with all the spirit OF
woman's enthusiasm and lending charm to such
occasions which much enhances the joyOusuess OF
the scenes. 1t would, indeed, be very difficult to
imagine circumstances to make man more happy
than he should be at our brilliant race meetings,
where he can meet his friends, back his judgment.
and turn his eyes alternately upon high-metted
racers and lovely women.
The meetings In the South and West will close in
time TO permit horses running there to come North
and participate IN the games at the Jerome Park
meeting, which will commence on the 10th OF June.
This Will be the first OF the Northern meetings, and
will be followed by those at Monmouth Park July A.
Saratoga, July u; Monmouth Park, August /; Sara
toga, August TO- and the fall meetings OF Jerome
Park and Baltimore in October.
The racing of 1870 developed an unusual number
OF extraordinary horses, then two and three years
old, and these are, OF course, expected to form the
front rank in the approaching campaign. They will
be heavily backed by the confident ana 'knowng''
class Of beters, who usually make the favortes, but
who, as turf history shows, are frequently disap-
pointed, to the great delight and profit OF the
"feders,n who prone to small investments
with chances OF large winnings. Those horses now
three years old are engaged In sweepstakes races
for that age, and those now four years old are
tered for the cups, and VIII be prominent contes-
tants for the numerous open purses
The first OF the events for the threeyear olds will
be the Belmont Stakes 500 entrance, hall forfeit,
and $1,000 added, one mile and five furlongs, at
Jerome Park, for which there are seventy-six en-
tries. Those most prominent in the Belmont are the
following:-Colone McDaniel's chestnut colt Harry
Bassett tby Lexington, dam Canary Bird), winner
OF the Kentucky Stakes at Saratoga, one mile,
beating seven others, in 154h; the Nursery Stakes
at Jerome Park, one mile. beating fourteen others,
in 1:4ei4; and the Supper Stakes at Baltimore, one
mile beating Mr.. Sanfords superb flly Madame
Dudley in 1:49A. 2 Mr. O'Donnell's gray filly
Mary Louise by Lightning, dam by Sovereign, win
ner OF the Saratoga Stakes, three-quarters Of mile,
beating eight Others, including Harry Bassett, In
1:1Sh, and the West End Stakes at Monmouth
Park one mile. beating four others, in l4s7. 1t is
stated, however, ana we fear truthfully that this
flly has an injured hook. which may not entirely
recover IN time for the Belmont Stakes. 8. Mr. Lit
tells gray flly Mary Clark (by Lexington, dam
Eagless. by GlencJeb winner OF the sweepstakes at
Jerome Park, one mile and an eighth, beating four
Others IN 2:041a. A. Mr. Withers' brown filly Elsie
fby bennington dam Baptal, winner OF the handi-
cap for two-year.olds at Saratoga, one mile,
beating three others, in the extraordinary
time OF 1:45a4; and purse at Jerome
Park, three-quarters OF mile, beating two
others, in 1:25. We should also direct attention
to Messrs. Richards & Kilgour's bay colt Buck.
shot tby Knight OF ST. George, dam John Kngour's
dam winner OF the Cincinnati Stakes, one mile, in
1:461s and barely beaten by Madame Dudley in the
sweepstakes at Baltimore one mile In AS. the ny
carrying 1o4 lbs. and the coli 1O7 lbs, including
seven pounds penalty each; Mr.. Lttes chestnut
fy Rattan (by Lexington, dam Lizzie Morgan).
winner OF the Flash Stakes at Saratoga and second
to Mary Louise in the West End Stakes, Monmouth
Park; Mr.. Bemont's chestnut colt BY The Sea (by
Thormanby, dam BernIce) who received forfeit in
match against Messrs DenisOn & Crawford's Cen
sor colt, and ran good second to Mary Clark,
mile ald an eighth, at Jerome Park; Major Thomas
bay Aly Aureoa (by War Dance, dam Herzogs
dam, a good second to Elsie in the fast mile at
Australian. dam Idlewild), who ran secoud to Ma
dame Dudley for the Champagne Stakes at Jerome
Park; Mr. Morris bay colt Barbarian by Eclipse dam
Barbarity third the race, bat dangerous from
his nne size and successful family; MIR. Babcock's
chestnut nlly, Nellie Ransom (by Jack Malone, dam
Vesper Lightl. who though she did but little last
year, is wonderfully good looking, and has the
fdence Of those who know her best. There are
among the entries for the Belmont Stakes number
OF other colts and hl,es Of promise from blood and
appearance. though not conspicuous last year. and
hence 1t is no thng' that the winner will not
emerge from obscurity. Nevertheless, we hold that
brilliant performances last year justify the estimate
paced upon those prominently designated. The
odds laid by the bookmakers against those in high
est favor are as iolows:-Harry Bassett only to l.
and his hackers have taken all they can get: Mary
Clark, 10 /; BY the Sea, 10 to l. Elsie, 10 to /;
Mary Louise, IL 70 l: Monarchist, IL 10 /: Rattan,
Aureola and Fanchon, each 25 to L Barbarian and
Nellie Ransom, each IS to 1; Buckshot 40 to l. and
SO on.
The odds against Harry Basse.t were more liberal,
until the promptness Of his hackers drove the book
makers 10 a retreat The offerings against BY the
Sea and Elsie have also ceased. They have both
been backed heavily. We cannot understand why
the superb flly Mary Clark, at to l. is not more
freely backed; and among the others named Bar
Darian, Mary Loulse, Aurcola, BucKshot and Nellie
Ransom should be backed at the very liberal odds
offered against them. Monarchlst at II to does
not seem very good thing. He has not yet done
anything in public, and we cannot perceive the
point OF hts prominence, unless 1t may be based
upon the fact that Mr.. Sanford is giving especial
attention TO his training at the Preakness stables
MIR. s. is o man OF immense VIII, generally sue
ceeds In his undertakings, and If he determines to
win the Belmont Stakes, may be dangerous
The Ladies' Stakes, to be run for at the same
meeting is for lilies three years old, 500 entrance,
half forfeit, $1,000 added one mile and five fur
longs; tue owner OF the second ly to receive $500
out OF the stakes; closed with ffty nominations.
Nearly all the nllies OF decided promise are among
the nominations for this important event. Madame
Dudley, by Lexington. dam Britannia w., by Flying
Dutcaman; Mary Clark, Mary Louise, Elsie, Rattan.
Aureola, Fanchon and Nellie Ransom. referred to