The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-19
THE MARYLAND TRACKS.
HORSES FROM TIE SOUTH UyED TO
nun FOR LARGE STAKES.
How Virginia Currency Was Refused ut
Race Meeting Eden's stnbIes--im-
psdinsnts to Sport In New jersey.

Not the least interesting In series OF
articles by John Austin Stevens In, the
Rider and Driver Is his sketch In last
weeks number, entitled Colonial Ia
VARY On the Turf" lie has hitherto
confined his valuable "Reminiscences to
the North. but he emphasizes the fact
that the racing sport was by no means
confined to the North. and continues;
I'm 175i the gentry of South Carolina
established the New Market courses on
Charleston Neck, under the proprietor
ship OF Mr.. Thomas Nightingale. York
shire gentleman, and races were run upon
it in 100. Mr.. Lynch, gentleman OF
Irish descent was the leading spirit at
the Southern New Market.
THE Baltimore course was the hrst
track In Maryland, and the extensive
stables OF MIR. Dulaney, still another gen
tleman Of Irish stock, sent out the VIC
tors to many hotly-contested Held. Gov
ernor Eden, Of Maryland, was usually
represented by quite a string OF high-prea
animals. Governor Eden succeeded Gov
ernor Sharpe in the government Oh MAI!
land. and was it's last royal Governor:
He married Lady Calvert. sister Vi
Lord Baltimore. Not much atter .he
famous course OF Maryland was AT An
napolis: the Virginians ran their horses
at the Leedsdown course, on the Ho'o-
mac II .ho
"Hlgh stakes were current at al the
Southern races. but we must not 1ofset
IN orr estimate of their Importance the
disturbed state Of colonial currency
There was little gold and silver passing
from hand TO hand and most OF that cup
ned coin The doubloons and plstoles
came to us from the French ana opdiiish
West India Islands, but such as were hoI
rn,nlated soon went over to England 20
settle that balance or trade, "hch 'hs
old lady. Of Threadneedle street mas
always managed to turn the scales III
her favor.
"A tradition Of the race track has pre-
served a curious example of the money
conditions Of the period After one OF
the meetings on the Maryland course
match for A race was arranged between
de Iancey and Dulaney for struck halr
bushcl of Spanish dollars, which Dulaney
won. Winchester measure, no doubt, ana
Struck before the event. On another oc-
casion the Marylanders defined TO stake
their money against the Virginia currency,
which they asserted had been counterfeit
I'm manner unparalleled. Green goods
Is not a modern invention.
"Nor vet were the gentlemen of PENIS
steady colony behn.dhand in their love
for the exciting sport. Watson, in his
annals, tells us that In 1850 race horses
were kept at Mrs. Nichols stables. at
the rear OF her tavern on the corner OF
High street The first public advertise
ment Of a race was In 1851, when tue
Centre Race Ground was designated. as
L.
" known as the Governors Woods. The
principal stables We're those OF Mr..
Samuel Galloway.
1.-The sentiment I'm New Jersey was not
unanimous concerning the sport. Races
were restrained In New Jersey by the
legislature OF Esi, when all horse racing
for lucre or gain was declared 70 be a
nuisance. except AT fairs and at the first
working days after Christmas. Easter
and Whitsuntide. and then for no sum ex-
ceedng forty shillings or any article
above that value. under a penalty Of Is.
OF which critical historian has remark
ed: The festivals of the church serve as
days of preparation Corporations, how
ever, might raise the stakes 10 f25. This
act continued until 1861. when races were
authorized on the written permission OF
the magistrates, only not within two
miles OF a place of public worship. The
annual fairs were at Perth Amboy, on the
hill toward Sandy Point This and the
plains it Overlooks have long been known
As the race ground
There were also courses at Morris
town and at Elizabethtown. though not
places OF high resort. Michael Kearnsy,
an frishman by BIRTH who came 10 Amer
lea early in the eighteenth century and
settled in New Jersey, was the most ad-
venturous Of the gallant spirits OF The
New Jersey turf. Marrying a daughter
Of Lewis Morris, the first Governor of
New Jersey he founded the family Of
which Fighting Phil the dashing cav
airy officer of the Mexican war and gen
erLal OF the Union army. was an Illus
trious scion. But now and then. when the
prejudices OF the piods Jerseymen were
too strong, the turfmen found a conve-
nlent track on John Vanderbilts place. on
the south side OF Staten Island. Here the
Elizabethtown Freen,asons' plate was run
for in October. 763."-Washington Post.
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