The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-11
THE LOUISIANA JOCKEY CLUB
Opening Day.
Six Thousand Spectators Present.
A Dead Heat in the Hurdle Race.

just as was expected, yesterday was q memo
rable one on the Louisiana Jockey Club Course
The weather was peculiarly suspicious for sports
afeld, and the day seemed to be one, as it we're,
expressly made for this occasion. The Jockey
Club had made every exertion to insure the sue
cess Of this Spring Meeting. and right nobly
have they succeeded. Repairs had to be made,
the track to be carefully graded, AMI hundred
and one other things to be done, in order that
with the opening OF the season this meeting
might be an assured success.
The refreshing west wind was blowing just
enough to make the temperature pleasant, and by
some fortuitous circumstance drifting clouds
obscured the sun during the whole OF the after
noon, adding not little to the delights of the
drive down to the course. All nature seemed to
assist in presenting her most attractive garniture
to the day, and what with the varying shades OF
green in the waving trees to the carolng OF birds
in their exuberance Of mirth, the whole picture
was one not easily forgotten. Everything wa
propltious, and the day can certainly be consider
ed as a red letter one in the calendar OF the
club.
In the City.
Long before the hour fixed for the races to
begin, Canal street and it's environs began to
present busy scene. From all parts Of the city
visitors focked down town on their way to the
track, and made the boulevard appear quite
lively. Ladies in the richest attire, attended by
their escorts whirled rapidly by in their carriages
the cynosare Of all eyes, and aristocratic beaux
dotted their tiles as they recognized acquaint-
ances. Everything gave token Of a holiday and
wore the appearance Of a general gala occasion.
On the Road.
By2 O'Clock, the shell road, out Canal street,
was crowded with vehicles. The DESTINATIONS
clarence, the modest family carriage, and the
upretentious wagon, all joined in the long line,
testing the qualities Of their respective horses in
the hurry to the course. Incipient Jehus, who
had managed to engage a buggy for the day,
went through the agony Of driving down IN NOR
tai terror OF threatened break-downs and probable
smash-upe. They took up almost the whole road
in their serpentine course and caused not little
uneasness on the part Of those who happened to
be in their proximity.
| Tho scene was quite enlivening, and formed 9
contrast with the ordinary afternoons travel
down the road.
At the Track.
Arriving on the course some time before the
hour at which the races were advertised to start,
visitor could not help being struck by the IN
creased numbers present over past meetings
The Grand Stand was filed with spectators OF the
sterner sex, above and below, whilst IN the field
there was a large number of carriages, with
their freight Of fair ones, forming al artistic
Is <Lo Of vGp
| in the paddock or cooling ground. The ladies
stand was brilliant in its display OF beauty
Bright and saucy-eyed blondes, radiant in theil
wealth of charms, enrapt ones attention, ane
then dark, blushing queens, gazelle-eyed and
soft as some poets dream would call it away. ant
between the two spectator was simply upset by
his confusion.
Seldom has there been at the track such a
tasteful display of elegant trotters and costly
dresses as was seen on the club course yesterday
afternoon-rich without being Outre, elegant
without being conspicuous and noticeable.
The number present must have amounted to
fullv six thousand persons, and the enthusiasm
displayed was marked.
When the first bell rang for the hurdle race
there was considerable OF futter amongst the
ladies, while the gentlemen conned knowingly
their programmes, examining carefully the en-
tries in order to select favorite.
Kid gloves were wagered by the dozens, and
one fair damsel in our vicinity won enough to
keep a small store busy for month. Il had beer
known that Limestone, one OF the entrles, hac
been brought down here especially to beat Biloxi
who had earned quite reputation as n roller
and his record was so excellent the knowing one'
in the pools sold on the track invested heavily or
him: Biloxi and Shillalah sold next and very
close to him, the field being considered ou
entirely.
The Hurdle Race.
Punctual to time, President Breaux rang the
bell to "saddle up" The race was two miles
over eight hurdles, and the entries, all OF whom
came to the string, were Capt. Hutchinson. 81!
loxi. Shillalah, Capt. Jack, Little Fiirt
Bob Britton and Limestone. They all ap
peared to be in splendid condition and gave
evidence Of the great care which had been takez
to bring them to the scratch in the very best order
Limestone attracted considerable attention, as he
is horse Of great height and long stride. DC
is, in looks, essentially an English horse, AID re-
semblcs some of those celebrated steeple-chasers
After some little time spent in securing good
start, the drum tapped and they were Off
Never before here have we had field OF sever
horses in a hurdle event, and as the lot rushed
for the first brash they presented spirited pic
ture. In the start Hutchinson led slightly; Lime
stone, Shllalah, Biloxi and the rest punched I
little in the rear. It was evident from the rush
they made that it was not going to be waiting
race, and with q dash they went for the frs
hurdle, Limestone and Hutchinson taking il
about together, their companions I'll going owe
in lump, Little Flirt last.
Rounding the turn, they swung in close order
Shillalah msking an attempt to force the runnin,
BY little squirt for second place, which, how.
ever, was not successful It was already evident
that Capt. Jack and Little Flirt were out OF the
race, for they fell back even here and were no
considered in the rest of the struggle. At tht
second hurdle on the backstre;ch, Hutchinson
and Limestone took it together, Bob Brltton, Bi
loxi and Shillalsh beng close At hand. To thu
half-mile pole the pace was hot, the crowd draw
into a. iu HnfchinAOn loa1iyc