Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-06-13

During the spring the racing associa-
tons had not been idle and had prepared
excellent programmes, and large amounts
of money had been added to the stakes
and handicaps. The Jerome Park. Sleeps
head Bay and Monmouth Park people had
used every effort to outstrip each other in
the value of the stakes and handicaps,
the perfection of their tracks and the
comforts offered TO the visiting pub
lie. All of a sudden. however, came,
like a thunderbOlt from clear sky, the
announcement that the authorities wOHld
not allow betting. The trouble began at
the little steeplechase course at R0cka-
way, in Queens county, Long Island, and
on May %, when the jerome Park meet
Ing began, the police interfered and ar
rested all persons making bets. AS most
New Workers do not care pin for a'hOrse
race unless they can back their fancy, the
meeting thus far has been a dismal fail
ure.
Only on one day has the pretty park of
the American Jockey Club looked any
thing like it's Old self. That was on Deco
ration day, when there was fairly good
attendance, particularly at the club
house. In one respect Jerome Park is SUI
geneTiS amongst race courses in this
neIghbOrhood. 1t is the only one that is
really fashionable. There are two prin-
cipai causes for this preference Of our
fashionable people for Jerome. In the
first place, the spring meeting occurs be-
fore the exodus to Newport, LenOx or the
other watering places begins, and the
fall meeting is held after their return.
Secondly, il is the only race course which
which can he reached by road with any
comfort. Monmouth Park is altogether
out of the question, because it is about
forty miles from New York. Sheepshead
Bay is not adesirable resort on account
Of the ferry which has to be crossed and
because there is 40 lawn where drags or
carriages can be placed to advantage.
All this is different at Jerome Park. The
drive out Is through Central Park, which
atpresent charms the eye with its bril-
hant and well-kept stretches Of grass,
shapely trees and shrubs. After leaving
Central Park the way is along one OF the
great avenues leading north, along roads
which.are absolutely faultless. There il
is that sporting New York speed their
tn0tters, and the scene upon their return
from the races is one of indescribable
gaysty, and brilliancy. Every possible
vehicle IS chartered for the occasion.
Alongside the stately coach with its four
pranctng Sits" dapper English grOOms
aud its load of fair young women, is the
butcher boy in his meat cart or the
Wearied dude in a hanson. Il carts, bug
gies, gigs, phaetons andOther nOndescript
traps" rgf ioyfully along. At the club
house the coaches are drawn up in line
on the green sward, and the grOoms soon
unhitch the horses and bring from the re-
eesses of the drag hampers containing
tempting chicken and lobster salads, and
ice coolers with champagne, which soon
makes the girls eyes sparkle in the clear
spring air. On Decoration day there
were no less than nine coaches on the
slope. Unfortunately the club house is
built upon a bluff, which stands out by
Itself opposite the grand stand. 1t is a
very picturesque object, but 1t spoils the
race course, which is in the form OF an
"S.2 The Consequence is that the
horses run out Of view OF the grand
stand at either end Of the IS" and
that from the clab house the horses are
out OF sight altogether until they are IN
The home stretch. But the grass on the