The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-23
THE WESTERN TURF:
Preparations for a Summer Meeting at
Dexter Park, Chicago.
The Premiums, Entries and Other
Particulars. ,
Other Sporting Matters i'm the
Garden City.


The turf record Of Chicago ia not as brilliant
~ II should be. We have-when great attractions
have teen offered. and the stars OF the trOtting
world have competed-had successful meetings, >
but, as q general rule, our races have been fail
ures, and the turf affairs OF Chicago have been
looked upon as hipp0dr0me performances. un.
worthy OF that recognition accorded to-
them In other cities, even west OF the sea-
board. The murder OF poor McKeever, and the
mysterious circumstances that surrounded 1t,
were q dcathblow to the turf interests Of
this section, and, though subsequent events
have partially healed the wound. we have
never entirely recovered from the shock. Dexter
Park, one Of the finest courses in the country
acknowledged as such by all the prominent turf
men who have visited twas the successor Of the
old Chicago Driving Park, the site of which is
now covered with aristocratic residences. 1t has
been failure from the first Although we have
population passOnately fond OF field sports no raj
lying cry could create the slightest enthusiasm, 30
long as we were clouded by that incubus
that had lowered over the old track,
and that whether justly or otherwise, was
/ transferred to the new. Feeling that they labored
under train OF circumstances that involved suS-
picon and ruin, the old management finally
abandoned the field and transferred the grounds
and fixtures to q new organization, composed or
gentlemen of the most sterling integrity who
command the respect and confidence of the entire
community. The meeting last Fall under the
auspices OF the new directors was an unantici-
pated success. The attendance for the four days.
was very large; the races were conducted with
transparent honesty, and all who participated
horsemen as well as spectators-were entirely
satisfied
Encouraged by the result Of that meeting and
firm in the belief that creditable conduct can yet
has aIlen the managers OF Dexter Park have ar
ranged for meeting during the first
FOUR DAYS IN JULY
that will eclipse any Western sporting event for
years. Premiums aggregating $4,000 are offered,
trottng, running and pacing heroes and herolnes
OF the turf The races in the forenoon VIII Except
on the fourth day when purse OF 5000 Zoo W WIN be
fined to trotting and running for purses ranging
from $500 to $500. All the great events viii take
place in the afternoon.
on Tuesday, July /, the afternoons sport will
commence with
for horses never having beaten 2:4o-$1,OO0 to the
first, and $500, 5000 and 5000 to the next three.
A. 600 for horses with record not exceeding 2:25-
$4,000 to the first, $1,000 $500 and $500 to the
Others The days performances will conclude
with running race for premium OF 5000, mile
Premiums ef $1,000 and $4,000 for trotting and
viii constitute the programme for the second day.
The first race on the third day will be trotting
purse OF 900 will then be awarded to horses that
have never beaten 2:21-$4 goo to nrst, $4,000 TO
looked npon as one Of the most important contests
or the meeting; but 1t Is questioned whether the
managers would not have SHOWN greater WISDOM
by making the race free to all. A running match,
mile heats for $1,000, will complete the pleasures
and triumphs OF the day.
ON THE FOURTH AND LAST DAY
of the meeting the first afternoon race VIII be FOR
2 80 horses Tor premiums footing up $4,000. The
free-to-all trot Tor premiums OF So, 500, will
then take place-$2,OO0 to first, $1,000 to
second and $500 to third 1t is expected
that the fastest horses in the country will compete
for these purses. grand rnnning race for $4,000,
three mile heats-$1, 500 to first 5000 to second
and $500 to third-will close the season. The rum
ming will be under the rules OF the American
Jockey Club.
Should the July meeting be as successful as 1t Is
hoped it will be, arrangements will be made for
Fall meeting, at which purses will be offered
amounting in the aggregate to $4,000.
UNDER A CLOUD.
With the exception OF billiards, other sporting
matters IN Chicago are under q cloud. Base ball
has been entirely neglected, and there Is
prospect Of Chicago club being Or
gained for at least two years to come.
The arrival of Monsieur Francois Ubassy
gave an invigoratlng impetus to billiard
matters, although 1t has made the distinguished
stranger acquainted with the unpleasant truth
that he cannot ride rough-shod over the whole
American Continent, ''cOnquering and to cOnquer.n
In his first match he was beaten ny John Bes-
sunger at even points, and on his third he failed
to discount that young expert. In New York
ne will probably have better opportunity to test
his skill with such opponents as Dion, Daily, Gar