Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-26
Turf Topics.

Turf Topics. Dock Turberville, the jockey, who was en route from New Orleans to Chicago, stopped in the city few hours night be- fore last. Tommie Murphy, the successful little Jockey at the races here, leaves today for Little Rock.
 There were many swear-offs yesterday afternoon, but they don't count. The same old song will be heard again from the same lips tonight. One could always tell lucky ticket holder by the peculiar antics he cut after the horses finished.
 The long odds on Bridget cannot De accounted for even by some of the bookies. She has made four starts and pulled down three purses at this meet ing.
 an immense crowd is expected from the Marvel City.
 OnIy three more days and the inaugu- ral meeting of the Birmingham Jockey club will be thing of the past. 1t is predicted by knowing ones that the fall meeting will go at least three months. Jacks Tips. The pretty little favorite, Bridget, Jus- tified every ones faith in her yesterday afternoon. Though not an official favor ite. and selling at 20 to 1, numbers of her admirers among the fair sex invested in a bit of pasteboard bearing her name, and were much elated when she came out winner. One woman who had put $2 on this piece of horse flesh smiled with more than ordinary satisfaction as she closed her purse on two crisp twenty dollar bills.
 It is of more than passing interest to note the different ways people have or taking defeat or victory. During the course of a race all rules previously recognized as being the governing artt- cles bearing upon a case are suspendeu, while human nature has full sway. Ihen the real man or woman comes out as upon negative; self-control is dropped for a time and all the passing thought of the moment is mirrored in the face. Men and women who have not forgotten their dignity for years cry out like school boys, and shout aloud when their fa- yorite is a winner. After 1t is all over one looks shyly about, only to find him. self not aIore in his demonstration--for enthusiasm is sometimes the one touch of nature that makes the whole world akin.
 The King Among Minstrels" was a very conspicuous figure in his handsome carriage, with the clay banks tandem. This accomplished funmaker has many friends in Birmingham, and was greeted on all sides with smiles and bows of well come, to which he made most gracious reSpoHSe.
 But by far the most conspicuous group on the grounds was the uniformed brass band To see those dusky musicians and the way they enjoyed themselves and their position one would have thought them the most important people out there. Their music added much to the pleasure of the afternoon, and especially when they played Dixie" Then the ap- plause was rapturous and prolonged
 1t seemed a fitting thing-geed horses on the turf before beautiful women all around and the inspiring strains of f'Dfxie' sweeping all else before it. It was truly a southern scene. and 1t was southern enthusiasm that rent the air with shouts at the first hint of the dear old tune
 The pretty debutantes were there again, as pretty as ever and seemingly as free of care. They held their little court with exceeding great grace and took from the racers a fair share uf attention They are both magnetic little women and