The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-31
First Day of the Spring Meeting
at Jerome Park.
Fix Four-in-Hand Coaches, Loaded with Ladies
and Gentlemen Brave The Rain Storm.
AN UGLY CHOPPER IN THE STEEPLEClIASE.
Five Capital Races in Mld-GarrrB Danger Duke Of
Magenta Dalsy and Trouble the Winners

markaby well attended, considering the very unfavor
able CONDITION. oil the weather. This IS one OF tho
nrst occasions which Jerome Park races have
been ruu holiday, and consequently the manage
menl deemed advisable TO have the race run, rain
or SHINE in order TO accommodate the thousands OF
people that are only able TO attend race meeting ON
public holiday. This TACT. however, was not very
well known among tho general public, AMI tnere
werc numerous inquiries about noon as to whether
there to be any racing, as ny that time IL was
raining pretty hard and tho dark clouds
overhead did not give the iainest hopes Of any ma
teriai Improvement in the weather All doubts were
presently removed tho flags over the Aster House
and Jockey Cluo Rooms were hoistcd 10 the mast
head signal Is always made when there is 10 be
racing
The prospects OF good attendance looked quito
promising when the long train OF crowded Grew
from the Grand Central Depot At quarter TO TWO
r. NJ, when at minutes past two r NJ. another
special lett carrying large number OF passengers
The modation In the way OF hacks ut the ccpot
good It might have bcen probably on ac-
counp OF the bad weather
About QUO T. NJ. quite n number Of carriages rolled
up Filth avenue on their way 10 tho Park. Some
aud exposed 10 the weather, but their
occupants appeared 10 be quite and looked
they rather enjoyed this exception to the general
routine. shortly after one O'Clock the iour-in-hand
coaches began to roll into the Park and before two
o'clock half dozen had passed through the gates on
their way 10 the raco track American ladies are be-
ginning TO take quite a liking the open air sports
and showed yesterday that, although there might be
great that is their composition, they
were not afraid Of melting, as they sat on the
outside OF the coaches wrapped up IN their
waterproofs; and Judging from the merry laugh
that occasionally reached the passer-by they really
bnjoyed the trinng dscomiorts that emanatcd from
The damp condition Of the weather Pcrched up on
Top OF the coach, they wcro spared ono annoyance
that rather disngured good many Of the occupants
Of the open carriages and buggies and when they
lgnted at the club house they were free from the
mud that had been literally spattcred over the major
ny OF those VINO had driven out. The Coaching CLUB
very well represented yesterday, as Mr. Belmont
Mr. Loriard, Mr.. Rlves, Colonel Kane, Mr.. Bron-
sou aud Mr. Fritsch all out with their
drags There were number Of other private car
riages tho road, and Fownes, the well known
guard oil the Tally Ho. He was breaking in tandem
team, with leader that evidently required con-
siderable amount OF education, as he showed de-
cided partality for turning round and staring the
wheeler in the face
SCENES on THE TRACK.
II was quite a relief TO have the gloomy
forebodngs about q potr attendance 80 quickly
dispeilcd as they were on taking look
at tho Grand Stand from tho quarter stretch
shortly before tho start Tor the hrs The lower
portion of the buildings down toward tho judges
stand were literally packed with people and there
really quite good attendance the ladies' por
lion OF the STAND. Round tEe back OF tho stand and
outside OF the enclosure there also a large
Der OF people, who did appear to mind the steady
ia of rain but had evidently come out to see the
racing and take the weather as II came. On the BAL
couy OF the CLUB House, there was also a large
attendance and the American Jockey Club may feel
quite eratined at the patronage they received on
such really disagrcaDe day. Deadhead Hin far
from being deserted, as several hundred persons
watched The racing IRON tnot vantage position,
drinking lager beer the while aud specllating in a
small way the merits OF tho respective horses
BooKMAkISG.
Probably yesterday was the first day since the
abolition OF pool selling at jerome Park that hook
making was conducted ON large scale. Hitherto
there has not been enough competition among the
bookmakcrs, and tho puohc nave consequently been
obliged accept what prices offered and grunblo
30 themselves al the cosencss oil the ngures Yesterday
here must have 0ecn at least thirty different book
makers plying tho pencil anu making tue stand ring
wth the vociierous tones In which tney proclaimed
Tue odss at which thy desired to transact business
The seaJy TAIL OF rain forced nearly everybody under
The shelter OF the stand, and during the fifteen MIN
utes previous TO the start IN each racc there was
perfect babel OF sound The hrst race suited
ai the bookmakers pretty WELL as tie downfall
OF the iavorite, that was freely backed AT TO
and even one, made them come out on the right
side OF tno ledger. The backers, however, had all
hsr own way Tor the rest OF the day. as the iavores
seutlemcn that made their deout as knights oil the
pencil did not Ind the business us profitable as they
had anticipated. There was quite rush TO get on
Danger in the Fordnam Handicap, and ain ough ut
The opening TO was offered. he startcd very
strong iavorite, beng backed with sonc OF the book
makers at even money. Tue Duke OF Magenta was
another pu0ic iavorito, and tho books
were soon lea on him' as the hackers
sose hacked MN at TO l against tho hod. Tho
metaicians as tho laying fraternity are oi,en Termed
on tho other sdc oil the water preferred 70 offer 20
10 j, bar the Door, and lett HIS Highness pretty
rompietey alone Darby vas one o. ,nc good
Ihings shat the gcntcmens brought out, and al
though TO was laid against him al one timc he was
backed al even befor. the start Ia The steepiechase
Trouble was an immense avortc, ~ MS udmirers
lao to on him very freely ana Inc result appeared
10 justify The operation.
A cRorpER IN THE srEEPLE.
About the only incident that occurred oil an I'M
pleasant nature during the day was an accident that
happened TO Metcali, the rider OF New YORK, al the
pieeplcchasc. Tbere was some trouble IN the SEMI
OIL, but tho horses hualy started, alter leaving The
docile Bcncher Ia a discussion with his JOCKEY that
proved oil a prolracted nature, he never lct tho
post When thsy came 10 The doubts post and ran
Jump at tho loot OF the club house hill q horse
and jockey won't down. aud seen rolling
la the mud There was rush AZ once " the spot.
but before the spectators reached The norso whlcn
proved 70 be Ne. YORK he nad gallopcd on, anu all
attention was at once bestowed on Metcali, the un-
T,rtunate Jockey VINO appc red 10 be badly injured
Several gentlemen, assisted BY tbs police, pickeJ him
up aud carried him 10 The cub house. aud ne was lard
down ON the dining room, loor. DR.. sayfe was fJr-
tunacly on hand and AT once made an cxaniuatoh OF
The sufferer IL Was great reitei 10 everybody
when he announced mat he did not believe thst nny
bones broken, although possibly there might DO
some internal injuries OF serious nature Blankets
we're rougnt IN aud Metcalt was ialu on them, while
preparations made carry him 10 ms quarters
While 10 that position tho Jockey recognized an
acquaintance ana signallcd him 10 come close NJ.
Tue latter kneit down beside tho sufferer who
quietly asked him IN low tone, "What won
tue race 2" On being informed that Trouble
hau won ho asked, "Were there any other
lailsW and looked pleased when he heard
that nc had boon the only unucky one He said that
he did not thipk be had any broken bones but MS
back was pretty badly wrenontd and ne was bruised
nil Hts lace all right vita TIE exception OF
lew scratches on the nose. After some short aeay
he taken to his quarters. where no bad MS
clothes removed and made as comfortable us
possible.
THE RAGING.
When the Grst train load OF people reached Jerome
Park az hall hour alter noon, they icund heavy