The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-12
Louisiana Jockey Club.
First Day.

There was yesterday, to ;nauguratc the
Spring Meeting at the Louisiana Jockey
Club Course, gathering Of fashionable
society such as has seldom, if ever, been
equaled before on opening day. The ladies'
stand was Respondent with parterres of
beauty, and dainty gloves and laughing
tresses attracted much of the attention
from the thoroughbreds OH the track. The
day was one of those imported from Paris
for the occasion-genal and vivifying-just
such as rendered every one thoroughly ap
preciative Of the sport.
The track was not as light as we have
seen it, but yet it was fair one for any
horse, neither lumpy nor deep. Everything
in fact, was propitlous. and the two thou
sand visitors entered into the full enjoyment
of the scene with a zest which bespeaks
successful meeting. A noticeable change
over the arrangements Of other years was
the absence below the stands Of gaming ia
bles of any kind, and the Jerome Park style
of Paris mutuals and pool-selling on the
track. This makes the course now as select
as it is possible for it to be, and removes
what was obnoxious to many.
The First Race.
At half past three exactly, Col. Breaux,
after calling the jockeys in front of the
judges stand, gave them lecture on foul
riding, and ordered them to their horses.
The silks and satins were soon in seat, and
nine thoroughbreds pranced out of the cool
ing ground thirsty for the fray. The race
was for a club purse of five hundred dollars,
and the distance one mile and a quarter.
Steward Minor went down to the three
quarter post, and after some trouble with
John Mcdonald and eight false starts, the
nine en,res got off. Falmouth cut out the
work from the beginning, taking the lead
before the stand was passed; he forced the
pace throughout. John Mcdonald followed
a close second. Port Leonard third, Carver
Sallie Watson and Ortolan not far in the
rear
In this order they swung into the back
stretch; Falmouth kept the lead down the
back stretch, Nellie r. second, the rest hang
ing at their skirts. just before the half
mile had been passed. Ssllie Watson chal-
lenged for the lead, passing l. 0. u, Jno
Mcdonald and Port Leonard, and came up
neck-and-neck with Carver who now went
to the front, leading Falmouth. On the turn
into the bone stretch, Ortolan, who had
been a passive observer of all this, now
swept around the circle and led the troop
home an easy winner. Time-2:1s4. Sallie
w. came in second.
Second Race.
First Heat-A fair start was made, Ballan-
keel leading, but Sweet Bay on the back
stretch took the lead. Ida Wells, on the
turn into the home stretch forged ahead
took the lead and kept it, coming home
ahead, with Ballankeel second. Time-1:51
Second Heat-The entries for the Pick wick
Stake mad attracted much attention. The
stake closed with thirty-two nominations
but only came to the string. After seven
false starts they got off, Sweet Bay leading,
Ballankeel second, Stampede third Sweet
Bay still led into the back stretch, all at her
heels; Ballankeel and Stampede rushed for
the lead on the turn. On the home stretch
Bonaventnr went to front and kept it up
to the string, with Col. Michigan second,
Sweet Bay third Ida Wells fourth. Time
1:5Oi.
Third Heat.-Bonaventure and Ida Wells
came out looking finely after cooling off.
Ida seer ned little blown but not enough to
dishearten hackers. An excellent start was
made, and neck and neck around the turn
they swung in hot pace. At the halt Bona
venture led two lengths, and came in winner
of the heat and race in 1:5l.
Third Race.
The three mile race was the attraction of
the day. The entries were we'll known and
speed was expected. Six came to the string,
and after two attempts they got off in good
style, Darlington leading, with Bessie Lee
next. Darlington kept his position for some
time, but was soon quieted by Bessie. which
game little mare showed ahead. When they
came under the string for the first mile
Bessie led Darlington second, Fannie NJ.
third, Silent Friend fourth, Capt Hutchin-
son following
On the second mile Bessie Lee led, Silent
Friend second In the back stretch all
closed together, but rounding Capt. H. drew
ont Silent Friend at his tail, and the second
mile was made in l:55. Darlington, on the
third mile, dropped off, and Capt. H. led to
the quarter, Bessie second, the rest trailing
cloee at hand. On the hOmestretch the
Silent one went for the money, and came in
an easy victor in 4:494, with Bessie Lee
second, Hutchinson third, Darlington fourth.
Aeade,rnv ~ Nlmeic