The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-10-01

ing Turftes-GAins and Losses Oi
Prominent Sporting Men-PersOnal
Traits ofHorHemen.
Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune.
Kentucky has been the seeding spot
for American thoroughbreds since the
soils and grasses declined in the worked
out parts of Virginia and Maryland.
The limestone of Kentucky gives bone
to the animal; he natures early upon
the blue grass. The men Of Kentucky
bred to horseback and adventurous
wagerers of physical spirit, have kept up
the turf for about sixty years, and l be
lieve that the Lexington course dates
back to the year 1878. The war absorb
ed most of the thoroughbred stocks of
the South to seat officers in the saddle;
and toward the close Of the conflict We
heard chiefly, of Alexanders stables.
The Alexanders,. MS I have heard, Were
Scotch family with expectations Of
property in the old country. They
owned Lexington and Australian, and
raised stock. A Chicago member
ofthe family now keeps the stables. In
1868 number of rich New Workers,
brokers and operators, resolved to go
on the turf. Leonard jerome, a nervy
broker, formerly newspaper editor at
Rochester, n. Y, taking the cue from
his partner, William Tracy, formerly of
Baltimore, founded the American jockey
club, after courses had been established
at Saratoga and Paterson, \. j. He
used all the influence to which his means
and acquaintance entitled him, and
brought into theclub August Belmont, his
friend. correspondent ofthe RothschlldS,
who had previously appeared with great
brilliancy on the British turf. Belmont
is comomonly called the head ofthe turf
IN America. on account Of his position
in the American jockey club which Is
the ruling influence i'll turf matters
in the United States, as well rs by his
Gberality in the purchase and import
alton of the best thoroughbreds attaina-
Bile both from Kentucky and England.
Jerome himself met with heavy losses i'll
speculation about 1867; which ncccssIta;cd
the PLAYING of II comparatively inferior
position upon the turf.
The establishment of the Saratoga ana
Monmouth park congress, and acce'Sor-
les of jerome park. transferred the
management of the turf from the south
70 the overwhelmingly itself becoming
a breeding and huying place for the
moro wealthy horse fanciers Of the met
ropolis. The following are some OF the
great lights of the American turf. as at
present constituted:
August Belmont,
high-mcttled banker of German
Hebrew extraction, welded to Caroline
Perry, the brilliant daughter Of Conmo-
dore Mathews Perry, Of Newport, Rhode
Island. Mr.. Belmont has resided IN
this country since his youth, and has
been negotiator, banker and patron OF
art and physical enjoyment during near
" the whole of that period. He was a
social leader and beau in New York So
ciety. whereby, in some ladies matter
he was challenged to fight a duel, and
was wounded in the foot, tanning HIM
for life, ifs is small, thick set, dark
haired man Of engaging address, a pr"nd
nostril, moderate and prudent OF speech,
particularly where the character "t thira
parties is discussed, and of culture on nj
most all subjects, from international pol
tiles and political economy 10. matters "i
art Journalism. gastronomy towing and
Watching. He has an interesting family,
n supcrb fortune, and is one Of the me-
tropolitan leaders of the Democratic
nsrty, while national, and even republican,
in his support of the war measures
and the faithfulness Of the public ohllga-
,ions. He is generally supposed t" be
tho American branch Of the house OF
Rothschild. He appears ON the turf III
a suit of white flannel, with field glass
strapped around his shoulders. HIS
stables are ut Babylon, l.. ]. He Is fond
of winning, takes his losses holly, yet
wi,hon, resentment, backs his own stable
at times with opulence and confidence,
and is almost universally regarded as q
preservativc and refining influence upon
the turf. He has had fair success, with
ON, being regarded a. very lucky. He
won at Saratoga this year about $aoo,
hets not counted. Belmont is the owner,
I believe. of the celebrated retired racer,
Kentucky.
M'Grnth.
Price NGrath, owner of Tom Bow
ling and large racing stable, is a ken-
tuckian, originally a tailor at the goose
like Andrew johnson. Close, shrewd,
I.,t e. A. an