The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-17
ILL LUCK OF THE FAvORITEs
A Runaway Horse Does Some
Smashing Up.
-FOUR SPIRITED RACES.
Donaventure ths Winner Of tho Ladies' Stake,
Preakness Of the Mile-and-a-Q Quarter Dash,
Springbok Of the Mile-snd-Three-
Quarter Dash and Limestone Of
the Handicap Hurdle Race.

The fourth day Of the Jerome Park races opened
under favorable auspices The atmosphere was
bright and clear, with q delightful summer breeze
rustling among the leaves and swaying the boughs
Of the stately trees in unison with Natures
harmony. There was q sense OF j0yousness In the
lovely that told the dweIler the city Of the
peace and beauty OF the green-robed fields, lying
eutwards beyond the mass Of brick and stone
basklng in the genial sunshine. Friendly clouds,
TOO, nOated over the sky-vauit, yelling the fields
and absorbing the rays the sun darted so fercely
down on EARTH This happy condition Of the
weather brought out crowds OF galy dressed
ladies, with coquettish hats and b0nnets
perched ON charming little heads, IN all
the bravery OF blooming flowers and now
ing ribbons. There was evidently perfect
confidence In the honorable Intentions OF the old
weather clerk as the long line OF wagons, sulkies
and carriages dashed along the avenues, disap-
pearing In the stnu0us roads that wind so grace
fully through Central Park. Here the scene is 80
beautiful, with waving trees and rustling
leaves, that seem to whisper invitation TO rest
under the shade. and glimpses Of open lawn and
stretches OF water, that one s almost sorry to de-
bouch at McCo0mbs dam on to the dusty road
lying bleached in the sum- with the ever present
dust cloud in the distance rising In the tracks Of
wagons tearing away to the races, indiner-
ent to the beauty OF the scene or the sweet calm
OF the sunshine, and only thinking OF arriving In
time for the first race. However, some are more
phil0sOphic, and have faith in the excellence
OF their timepieces and the pace OF their
horses; so, as the road Is dusty and
ire day agreeably warm. halt is called at the in
vtng little hostelries that line the road. Here the
events OF the day are eagerly discussed and the
inner man having been cared for the pleasure
seekers start with renewed zest The rush along
HhA
ont in defiance OF the regulations, when no
guardian OF the law happens to be IN sight, and is
all the more keeuly relished because 1t IS a stolen
Joy. Young people in elegant little wagons whirl
along, paying small heed to anything or anyone
but themselves ana it is easy TO see that the in
nuence Of the day Is happy for lovers. Cupids ar
rows are especially dangerous in such weather
ana the little rogue is busy shooting darts at the
passers- by on the dusty road n one may judge by
appearances the havoc done is considerable, and
many swain and fair lady Will return from the
course stricken beyond hope.
Notwithstanding the dust the drive is most de-
Mghtiul, for the rush OF the wagon and the gentle
breath OF the summer breeze Keeps the travellers
cool as cucumbers until the grand stand looms up,
and the driver with short turn, wheels into the
lane up to the club house. Here the scene is not
30 striking as might have been anticipated. Many
OF the ladies prefer seeing the races to posturng
and chatting on the pretentous piazza whence
one can see little nothing save the
people by whom one is surrounded Others,
aiSO for their own good reasons, prefer more
convenient spot to hold court-out of ear.shot Of
the general public. They may be seen grouped
under the trees or seated IN the shadow of the
bank, surrounded by their cavaliers and aspirant
cavaliers. At the critical moment OF the races
these little groups start up and watch the
hOmestretcn, but as soon the winning post IS
passed they return to the game of hearts, which
evidently interests them more than the game of
horses. One valiant party comes down in drag,
and looks like study cut from Frith's aanvas
Of the Derby Day. There are charming faces
perched mp high ABOVE the vulgar crowd, and such
gentlemen as would pay homage must climb up to
the shrine Of beauty to pay deroir. This group is
the centre of attraction and the ladies OF course
know it and enjoy 1t, but try to appear delightfully."-
unconscious that all the unlucky fellows that are
not entitled to climb up on the wheels and hang
on to the straps are watching obviously those VINO
are, and borrowing their friends field glasses to
have good look at the trap, as they pre- tend, but
IN reality to get better view of some of The pretty
coach.
On the grand stapd are clustered the people who
really take an interest in the racing, and, though
the vast mass belongs to the undressing division
OF humanity, there are enough brilliant dresses
and ana pretty faces face to relieve the somore mass;
the grounds or the Club House and Its pleasant
costumes from being too pronounced.
The hustle and excitement on the benches Of the
grand stand contrasted strongly with the more Sc
date and dec0rOus conduct OF the elite. There was
good deal Of betting, ana this tendency was in
creased by the spirited character of the running.
Every race was we'll contested. The Ladies'
Stake" to the surprise Of all, was carried on by
though Preakness, the iavorite, won in the
me-and-a-quarter dash, 1t was only after
seemed to expect anything from this horse. In
the mile and three-quarter race Mate was the
s was m the race g
Blind Tom, the Iav0rte was beaten by Limestone.
The hurdle race introduced most interesting
feature into the days proceedings. II Is to be re-
GREETED that so few OF the horses entered Tor this
race appeared at the starting post. Only three
diately fell down, and was prevented from contin-
uinR the contest.
.c Just as the third race was abont to start
runaway horse that started from the hill.
and and. tore down at fearful pace towards
plcketed. The colored attendants, dressed IN
.helr fancy red uniforms. which showed OF
Me 'n ne ebony complexion, rushed from all
tnOse VINO were ahead OF him, and they scampersd
away from the approaching danger as quickly as pos.
conmendable prudence in keeping out OF the way
nntil the runaway, dashing into mass or wagons
y0ked In, when he was secnred. Fortu-
nately no one was injured. After the hurdle
race the CROWDS on the hill overlooking
grand stand wendell their way to the railway
through stretch OF woods. Here were encouri-
tered the usual aduncts Of race course
petty gamblers and thimbleriggers, who. even IN
our boosted high state of civilization and intel.
ligcnce, md dupes foolish enough to allow them.
selves TO be cheated out OF their money However
she rush for the train LETT these chevalfeys d,in.
dustrte small opportunity to practise on the in
sistants mad indniged during the day somewhat
oo freely In lager beer, and whether IL was dine To
this cool and refreshing beverage or the excite.
ment consequent on good or bad fortune at the
betting pools, by going-home-time some OF these
parties mad become belligerenty disposed. One
formal declaration Of war was made by two excited
and, lt must be confessed, drunken individuals.
They were about to commence hostiities, when a
gentleman ID hjhe with q short star took the most