New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-13

ORLEANS THURSDAY, APRIL s ISL


II Id, loJI
A1ETAIRIE SPRING MEETING.
Third Days Races.
The interest in the spring meeting at the
Metairie Course increases at each successive
days racing. There was respectable meet
on Saturday. On Tuesday the numbers
had materially increased, while yesterday
there was still larger attendance.
The track had greatly improved, and was
pronounced to be perfect by competent
judges. The slight heavincss Of the day
before had entirely disappeared, and left
nothing to be desired.
We have noticed that there is as much
excitement at the Metairie pending the re
suit of race, as Gan be found at any course
in the country, but it is never demonstra-
tive. No matter how close the contest, no
matter what interests are pending, the
whole thing.is conducted in the spirit Of
gentlemen. and the issues are watched and
commented ON with quiet rising but little
above the tone of the drawing-room.
Another thing about the Metairie races is
remarkable. outstanding the ample
supply of resources for the bibulous, and the
freedom with which the thirsty and the
jolly avail themselves of the creature COM
forts which abound in the several bars
under the grand stand, we have noticed
but one case of inebriation on the course
during the three days races. Whether
this is owing to the great number of ladies
who throng the course, or to the proper
spirit of restraint which prevails among
gentlemen who attend the races, it is need
less to inquire. The fact is undeniable, and
reflects no small degree Of credit upon the
sporting community of New Orleans.
The first race yesterday was for the
Minor stake. This is the annual Metairie
stake for two year olds, to carry three year
old weights: distance one mile, with five or
more to fill the stake. Purse $1,000, second
to receive $500; third horse to save his
stake. There were twenty-three entries for
this race, of which only nine ran. These
were William j. Minor, George Wilkes,
Creole Dance, Lavergne, JEFF. Davis, Girl
of My Heart, Lady Fairfield, Frank Ross
and Billy Williamson. Of the above, all
two year olds, Minor was the favorite, and
it was not easy. to guess which Of two or
three others stood second best. In fact,
every nag entered looked in such fine condi-
tion that green one might suppose
that any one might do for q favor
ite. As usual they started somewhat
irregularly, hardly waiting the tap,
several of them several yards ON the slow
side of the string; but they soon gathered
way, and after . large part of the stretch
running in q ruck," Billy Williamson took
the lead, sclosely followed by Frank Ross.
Who should be next seemed to be matter
of close contest between Wilkes and Minor,
ending, however, in favor of the former.
In the above order the race was ended, the
horses winning in the order named, Will
hanson, Ross, Wilkes, Minor, the rest being
nowhere. Time: l:46A.
For the second race, two mile dash, club
purse of 500, there were but three entries:
Mamie Douglas, Victory and Morgan
Scout. Although there were but three
horses, however, the race was intensely
interesting. In fact, in any race. no mat
ter how. many contend for victory, the
interest always centres on three or four.
During the first mile, notwithstanding con-
siderable betting in a large small way upon
the favorite, it was difficult to judge who
had the advantage, for at the end Of the
first mile they all came under the string in
"ruck." Before they had gone far on the
second mile the contest was narrowed to q
struggle between Victory and Mamie
Douglas, and it soon after was seen that
Victory would keep the lead he had gained.
They came to the winning post Victory
first, Mamie Douglas second, and Morgan
Scout last. Time: 3:40A.
: In the third race all the horses entered
were on the ground, among others horse
without a name. entered by A. NJ. Schofield.
This race was for the club purse of $500,
mile heats. As the battle is not always to
the strong, so the race is not always to the
favorite, as was proven in the present in
stance. There was prOfuse but not heavy
betting all over the field. As they got off
on the tap of the drum, WoOdburn shot
ahead followed closely by Sue Dougherty,
Mcdonald being not far behind. At the
end of the first mile it was evident that
whoever had been the favorite at the start,
Mcdonald was the favOrite at the close of
the heat, and NO small amount of hedging
took place. The epd Of the last. heat
showed that the friends of Mcdonald
were altogether right, and those Of
Sue Dougherty not far wrong. The
horse without a name pushed the latter
very hard. however, but it was no 60; Sue
was second best at any rate, though she
was obliged to be contented with that
honor. as Mcdonald kept the lead she had !
gained. The horses reached the winning
post in the following order: Mcdonald.
Dougherty, Village Blacksmith and Hinton,