The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-08-02
TURF GAME SWEPT
FROM MOST STATES

New York, Aug. BIT is almost inn
possible to believe, but 1t Is a fact,
nevertheless, that In the past fifteen
years horse racing has been wiped
out of every state in the union ex-
cept Kentucky, Utah, Maryland, Vir-
ginia and few states in the north
west, and in almost every other
country in the world 1t is thriving bet
ter than ever, and Is promoted and
governed by parliament, the govern
ment, and its interest Is furthered by
rulers individually.
In 1860 there was the fashion course
on Long Island, where the great race
occurred between Planet and Com
queror. In 1852 there was occasional
sport on the old Union course, OF
Long Island, which today is crowded
with residences. Then there was Sc
caucus, the other side Of Hoboken,
N. j., where match races and stakes
were run very frequently.
In 1854 the late John Morrissev left
the Saratoga track as a monument.
Ever since the day OF its opening sar-
atoga has been a racing village"
that is a town which, for years. has
racing. True, the waters were an at
traction to few, but the great har-
vest for Saratogans was when the
racing began. There have been sea-
sons when racing was omitted, and
the result was bankruptcy right and
left.
jerome Park Built in 1866.
1t was in 1855 that the late Leon
ard Jerome engineered the building of
Jerome park, the old saddle bag track,
where some of the greatest horses
ever foaled raced in the presence of
thousands of interested spectators. In
those times there were three and four
days racing each week. Not only
would the grand stands be filed, but
hills and fences were crowded with
sightseers anxious to look at the great
Longfellow, or Harry Bassett, or to
take whirlwind glance at The Bard,
which carried the colors Of the late
A. j. Cassatt.
Jerome park will never be forgotten
owing to its unusual shape. It resem-
bled a dumb bell squash, and for its
peculiar construction was called the
saddle bag" track. Horses had to |
make all sorts of unusual turns while |
racing, and were out of sight more
than once owing to the trees and
shrubbery. 1t was the most aristo- |
cratic race course in the country for
years.
The only three tracks of Importance
between 1854 and 1878 were Jerome
park, Monmouth park, N. T., and Sara
toga. On these three courses all the
best horses met, except once in a while |
when some northern horse would try |
with one of southern blood |
at Pimlico, Nd. in the late seventies. |
In 1878 the late William Engeman |
decided to build a race course at
Brighton Beach. In those days there
were few horses for a prolonged meet |
Ing, but Mr.. Engeman was determined |
In his ideas, and when the track was /
opened he went so far as to purchase /
he requisite material for racing. Long /
meetings were run, lasting from spring
% fall Sometimes the sport would be
tally and at other times the racing
would alternate between Brighton and
Monmouth park, each taking three
lays.
Jerome Great THURMAN.
Then the Coney Island Jockey club
vas formed in 1880, the foundation OF
which was emphasized through the
allure Of Leonard Jerome to pur-
,hase the Brighton track Continuous
facing was harmful to the sport, was
Mr.. Jerome's standard argument, and
alter results have proved thoroughly
he sound judgment of one Of the
greatest turfmen Of this country.
About him Mr.. Jerome gathered such
men as w. X. Vanderbilt, j. G. X.
lawrence Kip, John G. Hecksher,
Pierre Lorillard and Wright Sanford
With men OF their standing the Coney
sland club became the most fashion
tble racing institution in the country,
md for twenty-six years led all asso-
'iations in expenditures. F'uturities and
stakes have been worth
ortunes to the owners OF the winners
Yet there was competition, and one
year Brighton and Sheepshead Bay
,onflicted, notwithstanding they were
practically next door to one another.
Many times a horse would run at one
rack and be shipped over to the other,
One case Of this kind in particular was
when Exile, horse belonging to "Bil-
y" Lakeland, ran at Brighton and
allied to win. He was sent over to
Bay, and within an hour
Won a stake on the aristocratic track.
There was much rivalry in those days,
and the seeds Of trouble had been
planted. II
While the larger association were
.rying to prevent Brighton from kill |
ng racing, up bobbed Mike and Phil
Owyer. They had become prominent
n racing circles by owning some OF the
best horses in the country, but they
wanted race track and the result