The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-04

Turf sports In Rain, Mud and slush.

Turf Sports I'm Rain, Mud and slush.
CHICAGO. June 9, 1878.
Tnere never was more brilliant promise OF sue
cess than that preceding the Summer meeting OF the
Dexter Park Club The managers were liberal In
the ofYer Of premiums, an unexampled array OF
trotttng and running horses was entered and the
sport-lovfng public was eager to mock to the track
and witness the exhibitions the four days pro-
vfded for the announced programme. There had
not been . bad day for racing within six weeks;
but on the very day the gates were thrown open
for the people, and just as the managers were nat
tering themselves that their EFFORTS were appreci-
ated and would be rewarded, the Hood gates OF
heaven opened and there was o perfect deluge.
There would certainly have been 20 900 spectators
ON the opening day instead OF a beggary two or
three thousand had there been no storm.
The second day, at least in the forenoon, was
worse than the first, and again there were thou
sands OF people prevented from visiting the track.
The managers thought this could not last, and
when on this morning the sun rose in q clear sky,
with not o cloud to be seen, cheerfulness prevailed
among the horsemen and the prospect for fine
days sport was good. But long before noon
threatening clouds gathered and finally developed
into first class thunder storm. For the third
time high hopes were dashed. and the discouraged
turfmen now console themselves with the belief II
the Fourth OF July Is even a toerably decent day
there Will be such an attendance AZ never
before visited race track west OF the Atlantic
seaboard. The track was in excellent condition
this forenoon The few hours OF sunshine eYectu-
ally placed the sand in good condition for fast tme
me running course was not so good. though far
from being bad. There were three events in the
forenoon, but with one exception they were
tlrely uninteresttng. The running dash OF one and
half miles for $500 was the exception. There were
thirteen entries but five Of them paid forfeit, leav-
ing the dash to Dan Kinney's chestnut mare
Flush, Jim Coullsk's bay geding Young Harry
OF the West, Moore's b. m. hollywood, and FIVE
and he took the dash. although Harry and Holly
wood were throwing mud in his lace to the end OF
the dash. The chestnut then settled down for an
EFFORT, and right nobly did he succeed, making the
The trot for fve.year.0ds for $500 was walk
over for Williams b. c. Hiram. There were three
other entries, all paying forfeit.
colts, was almost gilt to wilson's chestnut colt
General Grant HamiltOn's brown colt Quick
step being his only competitor. Two colts were
drawn. Grants driver had hard work IN prevent.
ing the shutting out OF Quckstep on the first heat.
he won three straight heats. Time, 3:05-3 :O4 u
2:05-2:o4&-2 09. 1t not the design OF Grants
driver to make as fast as three minutes and his
disappointment and chagrin when the announce
ment was made were ludicr0us. He can never trot
with three-minute horses and have such an easy
time as he did with Quickstep 1t rained with great
violence for at least an hour, but at hafpast two
the clouds dispersed, and although the running
course was perfect river and the trotting track
IN very bad condition, 1t was decided to go on with
| the races.
Notwithstanding the storm there were about
| four thousand people on the grounds. The run
ners for premiums OF 900, mile heats, best three
| In five, were sent through the mud and water
There were seven entries, four OF which started
| The br. I. Mariposo fouryear-Old, won in three
straight heats, without trouble The following is
the summary
MaIlposa.. ................. ................ !
|