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

turf matters In America and II 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
tronzed and sustained by honorable and wealthy
gentlemen and graced by the presence OF the ladies'
We ought not to be surprised therefore, at its rap
Idly increasing popularity In the United States,
when the first gentlemen Of the land. In such num-
bers as to forbid the attempt to name them ALL are
heart and ssu 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 magnincence And the crowning
glory OF the sport Is that there myrads of bright
eyes present to witness It, their sweet possessors
joining in the excitement with all the spirit OF
woman's enthusiasm, and lending a charm to such
occasions which much enhances the loyousuess 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 highmettled
racers and lovely women.
The meetings In the South and West will close in
time 10 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 4;
toga, August 10, 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
DID, and these are OF course, expected to form the
front rank in the approaching campaign. They will
be heavily backed by the confident ana "knowingr
class Of bet.ers who usually make the fayorltes. but
who, as turf history shows, are frequently disap-
pointed, to the great delight and profit Of the
"felders," who are 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
ana $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
folowing:-Colonei McDanel's chestnut colt Harry
Bassett by Lexington, dam Canary Blrd) winner
OF the Kentucky Stakes at Saratoga, one mlle
beating seven Others in 1:541s; the Nursery Stakes
at Jerome Park one mile, beating fourteen others,
in 1:49i4 and the Supper Stakes at Baltimore, one
mile, beating Mr.. Sanford's superb hly Madame
Dudley, in 1:49A. 2 Mr.. O'Donnell's gray flly
Mary Louise tby Lightning, dam by Sovereign win
ner OF the Saratoga Stakes, threequarters of mile
1:1sh, and the West End Stakes at Monmouth
Park, mile, beating four Others in l:4sA. 1t is
stated, however, ana we fear truthfuly. that this
flly has an injured hook. which may not entirely
recover in time for the Belmont Stakes B. Mr.. Lit
tells gray 1lly Mary Clark 10y Lexington, dam
Eagless. by Glenc1eb winner OF the sweepstakes at
Jerome Park, one mile and an eighth beating four
others, In 204K. A. Mr.. Withers' brown lilly Elsie
fby bennington, dam Baptal, winner Of the hanoi-
cap fer two-year-ods at Saratoga, one mile,
beating three others, in the extraordinary
time OF 1:45A; and purse at Jerome
Park, three-quarters OF mile, beating two
Others, in 1:25 We should also direct attention
to Messrs. Richards & Kilgours bay colt Buck
shot by Knight OF st. George, dam John Kllgours
dam,, winner OF the Cincinnati Stakes one mile, in
146la, and barely beaten by Madame Dudley In tue
sweepstakes at Baltimore, one mile, IN 1:43. the fly
carrying 104 lbs. and the coli 107 lbs, including
seven pounds penalty each; Mr.. Littelrs chestnut
flly 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.. Belmonts chestnut colt BY the sea (by
Tnormanby, dam Bernlce). who received forfeit in
match against Messrs. DenisOn & Crawford's Cen
sor colt, and ran good second to Mary Clark, a
mile AID an eighth, at Jerome Park; Major Thomas
bay Aiy Aureola (by War Dance, dam Herzog's
Saratoga Mr.. ODonnell's chestnut hlly Fanchon (by
Australian. dam Idlewid), who ran secoud to Ma
dame Dudley for the Champagne Stakes at Jerome
Park Mr. Morris bay colt Barbarian (by Eclipse dam
BarbaryL third in the race bat dangerous from
his fine size and successful family; Mr.. Babcocks
chestnut Glly, Nellie Ransom (by Jack Malone, dam
yesper Light) who, though she did but little last
year, is wonderfully good looking, and has the con-
idence OF those who know her best. There are
among the entries for the Belmont Stakes number
Of other colts and hles OF promise, from blood and
appearance though not conspicuous last year and
hence 1t is no sure thing 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 Dookmakers against those in high
est favor are as iolows;-Harry Bassett only to J.
and his hackers have taken all they can get; Mary
Clark 10 /; BY the Sea, 10 to /: Elsie 10 to /;
Mary Louise, IL 70 /; Monarchst, IL TO /; Rattan,
Aureoa and Fanchon, each 25 to /; Barbarian and
Nellie Ransom, each IS to l. Buckshot, 40 to /, and
SO on.
The odds against Harry Bassett were more liberal,
until the promptness OF his hackers drove the book
makers TO 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
barian, Mary Louise, Aurcola, Buckshot and Nellie
Ransom should be backed at the very liberal odds
offered against them. Monarchst at II to does
not seem very good thing He has not yet done
anything in public and we cannot perceive the
point OF his prominence, unless 1t may be based
upon the fact that Mr.. Sanford is giving especial
attention to his training at the Preakness stables
Mr.. S. is man OF immense Will, 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 DID, 500 entrance,
half forfeit $1,000 added, one mile and five fur
longs; the owner OF the second Oily to receive $500
out OF the stakes; closed with fifty nominations.
Nearly all the 1ies 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