The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-08
PROSPECT PARK FAIR GROUNDS.
First Day Of the Third Annual
Running Meeting.
EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE AND FINE SPORT.
AR. George LangStafrS COrOnet, Freebooter and
Countess the Winners.

The third annual running meeting at the Prospect
Park Fair Grounds opened brilliantly yesterday. Such
favorable accessories beautiful weathcr@ large attend
and sport Of an exciting character vouchsaed
it. Very far these went TO stamp the with that
interest and which always gratifying the
managers of racing association. Only limited
Agement In the past has been extended TO similar
Unions here-a fact provoking much remark, every
Dne knows that in this vicinity a creditable racing
meeting invariably produces pleasant comments and
the desire of thousands is to be present There were
good reasons perhaps, why the running contests at
Prospect Park last year and that OF the year before re
seved but little attention from the turf community. The
chief of these the Indifferent field OF horses com
peting for the purses hung up; but greater than this
we're the meagre accommodations offered to rcach the
Park with economy and in anything like decent time
This to the residents of New York was serious draw
back Though within easy distance of the metropo-
lis required long tedious and at times insuneraby
dusty ride TO reach the track much greater annoy
lnces TO return journey by the horse cars TO the
Park always soured visitors compelled to make it.
10 that the enthusiasm Of the carly morning would in
Tarably be dspeed before the sport of the day com
ncnced And if the tiresome horse cars desired
10 be avoided carriage ride involved an outlay of
many dollars
Much Of this has been changed, and yesterdays
crowds decidedly Endorsed the accommodations
listing reach the grounds The innovation smacks of
rapid transit 1t is the introduction of a
from Greenwood to Coney Island passing the gates of
The Park which brings within that distance
which its location and beauty deserve. Now fide Of
little over forty five minutes from Hamilton ferry takes
you within the enclosure Horse cars transport you
TO Greenwood by a short route and with close con-
nccton minutes thereafter will suffice for the rest
OF the journey The ride is not unpleasant 1t is de-
eidedy rural Farm houses every hand, and
around them fields of waving and extensive veg
etabe gardens, while and then cottages of archi
tectua beauty and occasionally of pretension to
size mark the way and render the ride attractive
Another reason why Prospect Park had patrons
yesterday than before at the opening Of running
meeting that better fields Of horses engaged
contest in the several events Heretofore very in-
different thoroughbreds appeared the track and it
too well known repeat here that, whatever the at
fractions of track are it will avail nothing if horses
Of some reputation not present and appear. The
turfoving public easily deceived and it demands
the worth of its money at all times Creditable per-
formances marked yesterdays races. When the bell
summoned the jumpers TO the track the gathering
very fair in numbers and in quality. The balcony Of
The handsome and commodious club house
filed with elegant ladies', who preferred
the jaunt to the track in their
rages rather than in the quicker way
by the steam cars and on the grand stand there was
also liberal sprinkng of the fair The loud buzz
which proceeded from these the horses faced the
starter, and the muTmurs of satisfaction disappoint
ment the result of each contest the least
of the interesting incidents of the day.
Around the pool stands the usual excitement pre-
vailed 1t is approaching that season Of the year when
the betting fraternity take deep interest In all turf
events, IL will not be Eiany months before the
flies, and every possible chance of augmenting
their winnings is eagerly embraced before that
period of the year The opening event yesterday
gave rise to much speculation. Three of the
horses we'll thought of by the
bage they brought nearly terms TO the
pools and so earnest was the desire TO invest that there
was d good deal OF fun incident to what Is generally
very serious business Altogether the pool stands and
their surroundings were not devoid of interest
Some excitement other than the betting attended the
hurdle 1t that not unusual occurrence in
these events steepechasng where the danger of
horse falling rider thrown gives Zest to the enjoy
ment Such mshaps expected in these races, and
the spectators yesterday not disappointed. The
rider Of Mr. Hitchcocks chestnut hly Busy Bee
unseated the first hurdle, and luckily escaping
have marked its decision thus given IT, particularly
the ladies' present And when the riderless horse
made the journey with the others and took the leaps
With them there was considerable excitement This IN
den added TO the character of the struggle made the
hurdle the feature OF the day except perhaps that
The three captured by horses belonging
the same owner Such wholesale sweep seldom oc
ours There wasn't single hitch in the arrangements,
and Captain Conner deserves commentator Tor the
.eent in which filed the position starter
AT an early hour the last had been decided, and
with the comfort that the crowd had reached the
Park they found their way TO the ferries. All IN all
the opening day Of the running meeting of this assoei
alton gives promise or continued good sport and the
attractions of Tomorrow the second day, and OF Sat
urday the wind up of the meeting OF excellent
character the attendance must be very satisfactory