The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-03
The Spring Meeting OF the American
Jockey Club.

Jockey Club.
On next Saturday the lovers Of flying horse
flesh in New York will stream outwards by the
north to Jerome Park. There will be the acute
being who knows the points Of every horse
upon the turf tread the same sward with
the daintiest and simplest creatures ever
robed in silk or grenadine, who can only dis
tingaish the animals by the aid of ''card''
and the Jockeys colors. 1t is gratifying to
think that this year the promise Of fine run
ming is greater than ever before. Never in
American running annals has the enthusiasm
of horse owners been so widely evoked. A
better class of animals than in any previous
year will be presented, and the glorious
result of careful breeding and training made
manifest. The mystery Of ''blood," as far as
the horse is concerned, will be again investi-
and the Hill have learned to venture into
discussions about sires and dams the interest
in the racing will be dashed with new spice.
Sooth to say, the pet Of the paddock, when
the rough blanket is stripped from his shining
coat, is an object on which the most demure
man can lavish her admiration without any
but delightful consequences. If she would
only learn little on the matter, so that her
confidence in her opinion could not be easily
shaken, what adroit fattery might not the
otherwise innocent Augustus administer by
agreeing with her! If their favorite won, how
they could blend Pushes and bushes over
their perspicacity If the wretched beast was
distanced, how they could condole by blaming
the jockey or sagely remarking that such and
such strain could never be relied ont
The friendships ripened under the passing
for the fitting shadow. OF course it will be-
very gorgeous next Saturday.
A horse race is, perhaps, in itself one of the
most exciting popular amusements that can be
participated in. The fact that for three thou
sand years, perhaps longer, this sport has held
its own against all changes, all inventions, all
innovations, is proof of it. We have no
Homers now to give us an ideal picture of
hippic perfection in sonorous verse;. The
heavenly coursers of Achilles or those of i'm
mortal strain yoked to the blazing chariot of
the Sun are now but figures of symmetry, fire
and feetness, that fill us with vague sense of
equine speed and beauty, without teaching
us what thoroughbred should be. That, in
deed, cannot be taught out of books any moro,
than your clever virtuoso could have q full
idea of the power Of the pianoforte without
hearing Rubinstein. A photograph Of the
mystic Bessarabian, with Mandatory notice
on his performance Of the moonlight sonata"
would not assist much in conveying the charm
of his playing. The racer may have his quail
tiles predicated from his pedigree, and an
opinion founded thereon strengthened as he
comes out for his preliminary gallop; but il
is in the homsstretch, with every muscle
strained, his nostrils expanded and his feet
scarce seeming to touch the earth, that judy
ment must be given The proof Of the pud-
ding is in the eating, of the cigar in the smok-
ing, of the race horse in the ''finish.'
No wonder that TO witness the struggle be-
tween aristocrats Of the animal kingdom all
upper tendon should deck itself in costly
raiment, put on its sweetest smiles and most
suaue Of manners. The being out of whom all
ordinary enthusiasm has been refined, who can
sleep during the finest sermon, chat during
the singing of the "Casta Diva" or pass
heedlessly by the glowing canvas Of a mas
ter rarely fails to experience an exhilarating
thrill ss the silken-coated kings and princes
Of the turf sweep by at whirlwind speed in
gorgeous phantasm Of color to the winning