The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-05-28
The Races YESTERDAY.

that the most ardent admirer of turf snorts
could desire-the programme at the Fair.
Grounds attractive, and the races quite ex-
citing, but the turn out meagre to what II
should have been. In looking over the
field we were pleased to observe that few
Oh our business men were present, and that
tho ladies were represented by the fairest
ana most intelligent of their sex, but the
masses were absent, and, as consequence,
Inc scene presented less attractive appear.
ance than 1t should have done.
In days long gone such programme as
tnat OF yesterday would have filled old Fair
neld or Broad Rock with tile elite Of the coun-
Try. Then 1t Gas that Virginia stood in the
front rank as the breeder of race-horses as
well as the, mother of statesmen. All her
natural advantages are left us, and we must
revive the past if we wish to regain our pros.
perlty in the future. To that end every
merchant and business man should become
member of the Virginia Riding Club, and
every farmer should breed few thorough
Dreds. Apart from their racing qualities,
they are superior under the saddle, to the
6uggy or carriage, and even to the plough.
but we are disressing. Let Us return to
1he 1rdck-which was in splendid order
Ior last time-not dry enough to be dusty,
| NOT wet enough to become sticky-but Just
10 tbat springy, elastic condition necessary
to fast time and safe running.
The first race was for the West End prize
(silver plate valued at S1OO), mile heats. best
TWO in three, for which there were siy on
tries, only four of whom came to the nost-
VIZ, ii. E. Poole's ch. &. Hatterac. bv
Lyrd Clyde; A. FL. Shorts b. 9. Occnlisi
by Red Eye; w. c. Chock'ey's blk. p,
| Boston, years, by Boston, Jr. and r. z
AnderSon's or. 6. Gold Dust, years, by Du.
Gallon. y ~"
| When the contestants appeared, they were
closely scanned by the knowing ones,'
who very soon selected Gold Dust as the
favorite, giving Occulist the second place.
leaving the rear to be brought up bv Bos-
ton and Hatterac. When the riders were
weighed and mounted, the four appeared be-
fore the stand, and all were assigned their
places, Mr.. Poole filling the "pig-skin" on
Hatterac, Mr.. Hewett riding Gold Dust, Mr.
Short riding Occulist, and IN unknown gen.
tleman handling Boston.
| First Heat.-All being ready the word
"go" was given, when Hatterac cut out the
| work, Gold Dust clinging on to his skirts,
Occulist being a good third, and Boston no.
where. Reaching the first quarter pole
| Hatterac showed his nose in front, Gold
Dust lying close to his shoulders, and Occu-
list at their hips. Thus the three dash along
the second quarter to the half-mile pole, SO
close together that blanket would have CO.
vcred them. At this point Poole gave Hat.
terac taste of the perSuaders, which
promptly sent him to the front-a position
| he held till the score was crossed in 2:34
Gold Dust good second, Occulist third,
Boston distnnced.
| Second Heat.-Twenty minutes having
elapsed, the horses were again called to the
score, and the word being given, the trio
went off as if linked together. Hatterac,
slightly in the lead, hugged the rail for the
first quarter, Gold Dust receiving the whip
at every jump and making desperate efforts
for front position, Occulist holding third
place and working nobly for better one
On the back-stretch Gold Dust seemed to
close up the gap, and his hackers joyfully
shouted that he would win but when the
three emerged from behind the main
stand" Hatterac still led, and maintained bis
position to the score, winning the heat in
2:5{ and the race.
| Recopitulnt;on.-Wes End prize, silver plate
valued at 81 90. mile heats, best two In three:
X. II Anderson's Gold Dust..................2
A. II. Shorts Occulist. ..~......"......."..;;3 )
! w. E.S
Time, 2:34-2:54.
SECOND RAcE.-Governor' cup; for horses
owned and ridden by British residents in
State Of Virginia, one-mile-and-a-half dash,
weight II stone each.
For this race there were four entries, only
three coming to the stretch-riz., 4. L.
Tritton's gr. f. Margaret, three years OLD, by
Granite; A. H. Shorts b. g. Occullst, aged
| h
Roanoke, aged -, by Ducalion. Roanoke
was made the favorite as soon as the horses
were strippeG, Occulist occupying second
place, the lilly third.
AT the call of the judge the three came te
the score, and, getting the word. dashed Oh
at quarter speed, Occulist and Margaret run
ming abreast, as if yoked together, Roanoke
holding third position, and biding his time
Along the back-stretch and up the quarter i
was difficult to see which led, but on pass
ing the stand in the first half-milc Oceulis
showed his nose in front. Upthe first quar-
Ter. along the back-stretch, down the thirC
quarter the trio were in bunch, but or
entering the last quarter Poole gave Roanoke
bis head. touched him lightly with his whip
land soon thereafter the gallant bay dashed t
the front, took up a commanding lead, ant
despite the struggles of his followers, raj
home az easy winner in 2:274; Occulist sec
ord, and Margaret third.
pn,iJation-Goyernor's Cup, for horse
owned and ridden by British residents Of Virginia
one and-a- half mile dash, riders 70 carry one hun
| drcd and fitty-iour pounds: ..0.s.r"
I Ii. Z. Poolc's D. 6.
A. Il. Shorts b. e. OcculiSt..
K. L. Trittons e. f. Margaret
| Time, 3:27&. 1..-.. ,... .,r-3
/ THIRD RAcE.-Mateh, 800 aside, .ope-and
a-half miles over six hurdles Mr.. R. l.
/ Triton entered .cu. s. Neptune, five year:
old Mr. u. u. Poole entered b. 6. Roam
] cke. ..,
| Notwithstanding the fact that Roanoke
had but feH; minutes before run dash o
one mile and half he was made the tayoritt
at four to one.
After the usual preliminaries, the two
horses appeared at the half.mile pole, and
getting the word, went off at quick pace
Neptune in the lead, Roanoke trailing
Reaching the first hurdle, Neptune cleared
it in handsome style, closely followed by Ro'
anoke. The second, third, and fourth hur
ldIes were all taken beautifully, when Roam
oke made a handsome break, went to the
front. took the last hurdle with ease, and led
home winner in 3:47a, Neptune being well
up at the close. .ae#
| Recnrit,,Lation. - Hurdle race. one mile and q
boIf. III 90 side five hurdles 10 clear:
n. e, PooIe's b. 6. Roanoke
r. Z. Tritton's c. &. Neptune e.......'..'''.....z
Today there will be no races, but on Fri.
day afternoon. commencing at O'Clock, rare
snort is expected, and business men and the
fIadies should be there TO witness 1t. The
1 zl~, n