Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-04
Nashville and Lexington.

Under the above caption, the Turf, Field
and Farm thus discourses:
The old rivalry between the turfmen of
Kentucky and Tennessee still sputters and
burns. Therace meeting at Lexington and
the race meeting at Nashville commenced
and closed at the same time. As the two
places are within days journey of each
other, by rail, unobserving people may
have thought that mutual interest demand
ed that there be no conflict. But the two
Associations understood themselves pretty
well. Animated by the old spirit of rivalry,
neither would make a concession in favor
of the other; and both were confident of
their strength, as each is the center of a
rich breeding district. Every year the
great breeding farms of both States send
forth large number of FLIES and colts to
make their debut on the turf. Very natu-
rally those bred in Tennessee usually make
their first strike for fame on the Nashville
course, while those bred in Kentucky
seek their maiden introduction to
the world on the soil hallowed by the classic
memories of Lexington. Add to these
strings of youngsters the veteran racers in
the different stables owned in the separate
States, and we have two combinations sutfi
GENTLY strong to bear aloft the banner of
success independent of each other. These
facts are fully understood by the two asso-
Citations, therefore neither is disposed to
Weld to the other. The clashing of the
meetings does not weaken like a conflict
between Saratoga and Long Branch would
weaken. At Nashville, as at Lexington,
the local strength is great; and this strength
is fully developed by a strong feeling of local
pride. There are hundreds of gentlemen,
however, who would be glad to see some
arrangement made that would enable them
TO be present at both meetings; and here
after it is to be hoped that the rival assO-
Citations will not give too much license to
the spirit of rivalry. Time does not press
on either so heavily tbat it cannot appoint
week earlier or week later for its meeting.
Referring to our course, particularly, the
same paper adds:
Last week, while the horses were rum
ming, the racecourse at Nashville presented
brilliant spectacle. Between the pauSes
were heard the rustling of silks and the
buzz of well-bred conversation. Faces
that swiftly ripen into beauty under the
Southern sun, smiled from the grand stand,
and over all was the air of culture. The
contests were spirited, and the crowds on
the course gratifying, both in number and
quality, to the managers.
The Spring meeting Of the Nashville
Blood Horse Association, just closed; has
been about the best ever held in the capital
of Tennessee. Not even threatening skies
could dampen the enthusiasm of the de-
voices worshiping at the shrine of sport.
And the lesson of last week, taught at Lex
ington, and confirmed at Nashville, should
not be forgotten. Let the proper effort be
made to promote the social feature of the
course, and we will discover that
success lies within our grasp,
1t should be the fond dream of
every lover of the horse who walks within
the lines of responsibility to have pure and
lovely women smile upon the games of the
turf. The smile of pure woman is potent.
Rudeness shrinks from it, and all that is
unmanly fades before it; and appealing to
the instincts of our better nature, we walk
as gods rather than as depraved and de-
baucbed mortals would walk. With the
course under the sheltering wing of social
queens, the sneer of the narrow-minded,
that racing is a low and brutal pastime, is
robbed of all its sting. Culture is a child
of Christianity, go when Culture is tempted
to pass through the gates of our racing
parks. we feel in the air the soft and rein-
inc influences of Christianity. The turf
succeeds best when managed on the highest
principles. We demonstrate this fact every
year, and yet there are many associations
that refuse to profit by the lesson. But
more clearly is it written this Spring than
ever before that this is the social era of the
turf. and that only failure will attend the
efforts of those who decline to read what is
SO plainly written. Gentlemen, bestir your
selves! Prepare your racing parks for the
reception of society's faVorites. To win
the prize, the bid must be worthy of the
nrize. And when fashion and culture pass
through your gates, then you will see
Christianity draw very close unto sport.